Why a kilt costs what it does...a re-re-re-hash

[artificer]

The thing it, we all know that $650 for a hand made 16oz Freedom kilt is a bargain because you are receiving an heirloom quality garment that is made with impeccable quality by a talented kilt maker, and is made with love.
Equally, a half machine/half hand sewn 8 yard (!!!) PV from Josh at under $200 is incredible value.........but they're marketed to different people, with different needs, and are made in different ways by people with different lives in different areas to different specs.

Well said! Not everyone would wear a $1-3000 suit every day, even if everyone could afford it. For me, right now, a hand made wool kilt is not only a luxury I can ill afford, but with my 4yr old around, I'd be in a constant state of terror that I'd get SOMETHING on it- the same reason I don't wear a nice suit when out with my son.

I don't think anyone here begrudges the Barb T.'s and the Matt Newsome's of the world charging what they do for their labour, because we're all greatful for the opportunity they provide to buy a piece of their art. I understand why Brice asked what he did: if they money is so bad, why are there so many doing it? I don't know either, and you have to wonder if really is that bad...........if it is, then I'm greatful for these people and the time they sacrifice to allow us to enjoy kilting.

I'm not in a position to speak for any of our 'pro' kilt makers, but I do know something about working for yourself making things.

Generally it IS a labour of love. Sure, you'll make some money, but if you compare the hours that go into hand labour for a given dollar amount (after subtracting material costs) vs the hours/pay at a decent mid-level job... it usually boils down to "This person is doing [X] because they LOVE it, NOT because they plan on getting rich".

For example: assume an 8yr kilt retails for $600 and takes 12hrs to make by hand. 16oz fabric retails for $60-80 a yard, so assume the wholesale is $30-40 (and I don't know what mark up is on material like this, but am basing it on other goods).

8yds = $240-320
600-240 = 360
360/12 = $30/hr.

this includes no other material/ wear and tear on tools/ etc. I also took high numbers for sale price of kilt and low for cost of fabric.

if you break it down the other way with a kilt taking more like 20hrs and the fabric cost high you get
8ed = 320
600-320= 280
280/20= $14/hr.

Nobody's retiring to their private island on $14/hr.

When I was in interior design, I used to get (and this was 12yrs ago) $60-80/hr for consultation, meetings, drafting, and original design. The second I stepped into the shop to make something that wasn't available I was working for far less than half that. With the advent of cheap overseas labour and more of our job force moving away from 'hand work', people have no idea of the hours (and therefore, to the craftsperson, $$$) that go into making custom products.

When I've got the free cash (and feel that my son won't get hummus all over it) I'll be pleased as punch to fork over my cash to one of our pros for a custom 8yd 16oz kilt. And I'll feel like I'M the one who got the better end of the bargain.