Assessing Kiltmakers Remotely

[Redshank]

Much has been said about finding a good kilt maker, but bearing in mind the obvious dubious quality of kilts, and so called kilts available on the market today, would the prospective purchaser recognise a top quality hand crafted kilt if he saw one.

We at Redshank Scotland see so called top quality hand stitched kilts from some of the most reputable Scottish companies, when they come in for repair and alteration, and quite frankly, some leave much to desire.

It is the same with any tailored garment, my sugestion is to find a kilt maker that has been recommended highly, speak to them, tell them your desires, be open to their suggestions, and if you strike an accord, then proceed with your purchase.

Kilt making is a personal thing, the good quality kilt maker should be aware that he/she is hand crafting a garment, that must be of heirloon quality, and should be capable of being passed down for three or more generations, every stitch should be lovingly and carefully sewn.

Few appreciate what is involved in building a top quality kilt, few can apportion the costs involved, but for those that can, a hand crafted tradditional kilt is a thing of beauty, and a pleasure to wear.

Good luck with your quest

Chris

[Abax]

When selecting a vendor, remotely or in person, I look for several things:

1) How likely is it that they will meet or exceed my expectations? Do they want to provide a product specifically for me, or are they only interested in providing their stock product? I may be able to speculate about these items, but customer recommendations are very helpful.

2) I judge the expertise of the vendor. This means I have to educate myself about the product or service so I can estimate the vendor's qualifications. Depending on how much I learn about the subject, I give my judgment more or less weight. You don't have to be good at something to recognize quality work. If I can't see examples of the product or service I'm interested in, I'll look at other facets of the vendor. A dirty and disorganized manufacturing facility, for instance, would not be a positive indicator.

3) I try to infer how problems might be handled by the demeanor of the vendor. Most people (most, but not all) aren't capable of Jekyll and Hyde behavior: Rotten people act rotten most of the time. I try to watch the vendor interact with other customers. How does the vendor react to a mis-statement I make? If they correct me with tact and an interest to educate, they'll probably be helpful during a problem.

Abax

[David Dalglish]

The way to assess a kilt maker is viewing their work, ie from what I have seen, Barb T takes a bit of beating for quality of work & finished kilt. I would recommend D.C. Dalgliesh in Selkirk, their work is excellent & I was more than happy with my kilt from them. I have no bad kilts, all are 9yd wool kilts, but there is one kiltmaker I would not go back to.

[The Wizard of BC]

David, will you please clarify your statement "ie from what I have seen, Barb T takes a bit of beating for quality of work & finished kilt."
Your sentence seems to me to be saying that there has been some dissatisfaction from someone with a Tewksbury kilt.

[fluter]

David, will you please clarify your statement "ie from what I have seen, Barb T takes a bit of beating for quality of work & finished kilt."
Your sentence seems to me to be saying that there has been some dissatisfaction from someone with a Tewksbury kilt.

Not "takes a bit of a beating."

What David means, I am certain, is that you'd have to work pretty hard to "beat" Barb T. Thus, takes a bit of beating. That form of expression, if not the literal words, is a pretty common British usage.

Two---pardon me, three---nations divided by a common language, indeed.

[sjrapid]

Not "takes a bit of a beating."

What David means, I am certain, is that you'd have to work pretty hard to "beat" Barb T. Thus, takes a bit of beating. That form of expression, if not the literal words, is a pretty common British usage.

Two---pardon me, three---nations divided by a common language, indeed.

As a UK-ite, that's how I'd parse it too. To my (English) ears, there's actually a complement in David's gentle understatement. I'd read 'XX takes a bit of beating' as 'It would be very hard indeed, if not impossible, to better or outdo XX ..'

best regards

[David Dalglish]

It means that Barb T's kilts are some of the best I have seen.

[The Wizard of BC]

I have to admit David that I was quite shocked when I first read it. That is why I asked for clarification.
I would really hate to have to get on a plane to defend a ladies honor.


I have been travelling the world for most of my life and it still catches me off guard once in a while. Well, perhaps more than once now that I'm old and senile.
I do have to say though that you folks over there do talk funny.

[davedove]

I do have to say though that you folks over there do talk funny.

That's right, they need to learn to speak proper Mer'can.

[ChattanCat]

It means that Barb T's kilts are some of the best I have seen.

I glad you clarified, because those are fight'n words (the way WBC interpreted it).