Where do Kiltmaker's Learn Their Craft?

[Pleater]

I don't know if I can be classed as a kilt maker.

I make kilts for myself.

I am so meticulous that I could not charge for the time, but I do not make a reinforced type of kilt. Everything is in the sewing of the waistband and how the shaping is pressed in and tried on, to be sure that the pleats lie properly.

I studied what I could find about making kilts on the net, and after a few trials, rejected it.

I have been making all sorts of clothes for a long time. I started dressing my dolls over 50 years ago. I still read about tailoring and sewing technniques. I look at the way materials are used in museum pieces. Maybe I understand how to twist the grain of cloth. I can see when it needs to be done.

I made kilts, I wore them, I changed the design to the reverse Kingussie, I am getting ever closer to Zen and the Art of making kilts.

Anne the Pleater

[Stewart Rendall]

I missed this thread first time around.

I undertook a five year apprenticeship here in Scotland. Trained by a woman who made kilts for a few Edinburgh shops and private customers for many years. She in turn had been trained by a very elderly lady who had spent her life making kilts, having entered into the trade in her teens.

I was very lucky to have had the benefits of such a wealth of experience and the knowledge passed on has been invaluable.

I'm not sure one could easily find such an apprenticeship today. I rarely meet other kiltmakers in Edinburgh. I'm sure they're not all sitting on 'assembly lines' as mentioned earlier, at least I hope not. I'd like to think there are a few passing on their trade to others through apprenticeships.

[Highlander31]

When I ordered my 16oz 8 yard kilt from Celtic Craft Centre's San Francisco store, I asked about who would be making my kilt. It was explained that they used individual kilt makers. It took six months for my kilt to be completed (part of the time involved the mill in weaving the tartan.) I called the San Francisco Store after three months to check on the progress. I learned about the delay in the mill at that time. The person in the store was helpful and said they would call the Edinburgh shop and learn the status. I decided to call myself. Fortunately for me, the gentleman who had fitted me in the San Francisco store was the person who answered the phone in Edinburgh. He stated the material for my kilt was sent to a woman by the name of Mary, she had been sewing kilts since her teens and had some 25 years experience (if memory serves me.) She was considered to be the best kilt maker they had under contract. Unfortunately Mary did take ill and that did delay the kilt as well, however, the workmanship is fantastic. Five years later, it still looks like it did the day I picked it up. I have recommended Celtic Craft Centre to several others. Each has received the same high quality kilt (in less time than I did.)