Where do Kiltmaker's Learn Their Craft?

[J Byous]

[QUOTE=Riverkilt;250992]"I'm realizing I asked a two pronged question. My original intent was to find out how people learned to sew traditional kilts. That's sort of evolved into how individual kiltmakers learned their craft."

Hey to all from Savannah, GA. I'm a longtime kiltmaker, first time poster.

I've been making kilts in various forms for ten years or more. I started because I wanted a kilt and didn't want to pay retail. I had learned to sew as a young lad -- my mother thought I wouldn't find a wife -- so now I sew and she doesn't.

I tackled my first traditional kilt several years ago after purchasing the now famous book by Barbara Tewksbury and Elsie Stuehmeyer. After about 40 hours of head scratching and stitch pulling I was able to make a pretty darn good kilt.

Since then I've made hundreds of kilts that have been worn by diaspora Scots, Irish Emerald Society members and even a chap in the Washington DC Ballet. If I recall correctly there are a couple of Germans and a Dane in the group as well.

It has been fun and a bit of hard work.

My suggestion for those who want to learn:

If you know how to sew, buy the book. It's a great course in itself. Learn to do it Elsie's way, then modify to your own method.

If you've never sewn, find someone to apprentice under or take the Keith course. It will be worth the time.

When you do start making kilts, be particular. Non-kilt wearers will not see much of a difference between great and just okay. Those who wear kilts regularly will spot a crappy kilt in an instant.

The most important thing about making kilts -- have fun doing it.

J Byous
Savannah

[Barb T]

If you've never sewn, find someone to apprentice under or take the Keith course. It will be worth the time.

Just as another viewpoint on this, I can tell you that many, many people (and quite a few on this forum) have learned how to make kilts just by following the instructions in The Art of Kiltmaking, even though they had never sewn before. So, don't feel, if you haven't sewn before, that you have to find someone to each you personally!

[slohairt]

I learned from three different sources. My late grandmother apprenticed at Kinloch Anderson and taught me everything she knew. (No one else in my family seemed interested in learning!) I adapted some of her methods over the years, partly because I am left-handed (although I can sew right-handed) and partly because some techniques work for some people and some don't. I then bought Barb and Elsie's book a few years ago and further adapted my technique.

I made kilts professionally for a company that recently closed their local shop down and have considerably scaled back operations. I do know that they used two other kiltmakers besides me, but I don't know who they were. I had to submit a kilt pleated to the sett and another pleated to the stripe as well as photos detailing the process. Both were 8-yard knife pleated kilts. (Don't worry, I got them back after!) They didn't seem terribly concerned with experience, just the end result. I can tell you the pay wasn't all that great, but the work was fairly regular. I an still toying with the idea of doing it freelance over the internet, but haven't finalized the details yet.

As for the Keith Kilt School, I believe it is now referred to as the Moray Textile Group (or School?) and their affiliated guild is called the Traditional Kilt Makers' Guild. http://www.traditionalkiltmakersguild.co.uk/They DO accept members who are not graduates (as associate members). One must submit photos of their product by email or snail mail. Their standard are pretty typical of a well-made kilt. The membership fee is £15 and you receive a newsletter, and labels to affix to your kilts.

[ChattanCat]

Just as another viewpoint on this, I can tell you that many, many people (and quite a few on this forum) have learned how to make kilts just by following the instructions in The Art of Kiltmaking, even though they had never sewn before. So, don't feel, if you haven't sewn before, that you have to find someone to each you personally!

That would be me. I'm working on my 21st kilt. Hmm, 21st century kilt?

I started my first kilt as a precursor to my MacPherson modern kilt. I never sewed before and could not have done it without the help from Barb T. and her book. I just recently finished a jacket conversion where I hand sewed the buttonholes... still learning. My previous passions were racing; bicycles, running, and triathlons. Who knew I would become a kilt maker?

How many kilts does a kilt maker make when a kilt maker makes kilts?

[Riverkilt]

How many kilts does a kilt maker make when a kilt maker makes kilts?

My last hand sewn kilt from Kathy Lare, the Antarctica tartan, was her 1,093rd. It was made in June 2008 so I'm guessing she's well over that total now what with being a full time kiltmaker.

Ron

[GDub]

That would be me. I'm working on my 21st kilt. Hmm, 21st century kilt? ... My previous passions were racing; bicycles, running, and triathlons. Who knew I would become a kilt maker?...

Just curious, did you get injured? The reason I ask is because I was a competitive runner during my 20s and early 30s. I got a hip injury that sidelined me, so I took up juggling (to replace the running addiction). I eventually got good enough to perform which led me on quite a wild ride for close to 10 years. Actually, my whole life went in a completely different direction because of the injury.

I did eventually work out the hip problem with a VERY simple stretching technique I learned from an ultra-marathoner. Never had another problem with it, though theses days if I run 15 miles in a week that's a heavy workout week--LOL!

Anyway, making a kilt is on my list so I guess I better get Barb's book and start training...

[ChattanCat]

Just curious, did you get injured? The reason I ask is because I was a competitive runner during my 20s and early 30s. I got a hip injury that sidelined me, so I took up juggling (to replace the running addiction). I eventually got good enough to perform which led me on quite a wild ride for close to 10 years. Actually, my whole life went in a completely different direction because of the injury.

I did eventually work out the hip problem with a VERY simple stretching technique I learned from an ultra-marathoner. Never had another problem with it, though theses days if I run 15 miles in a week that's a heavy workout week--LOL!

Anyway, making a kilt is on my list so I guess I better get Barb's book and start training...

Knee problems ended my racing. Arthritis. I still have my racing bike just havn't used in in years.