How do you deceide....

**Riverkilt** · 3rd April 07, 10:22 PM

I'm with Turpin.

If you have a rare tartan you want you'll probably save a LOT of money by going through a kiltmaker like Barb T or Kathy Lare. They can find the tartan for you - if its out there - and get it ordered in for you.

Not sure how Barb does her payments but Kathy works off a down paymemt with balance on completion which makes the financial strain a bit less.

And for a rare tartan don't forget to get the flashes made with the kilt.

Ron

**MacWage** · 4th April 07, 04:31 AM

I'll throw in an opinion:
-For "8 yard" (8-9+ depending on waist/rump size) knife pleat, I'd go to Barb or Kathy. BOTH have an EXCELLENT reputation and I'll add that Barb is just a sweety and is WONDERFUL to work with. I've never talked with Kathy, but others talk about how excellent a job she does. Both are also reasonable pricewise for the level of quality you get. You can pay more, but it is hard to get one better made.
-For a "4-yard" (again, may be 5 depending on waist size) box-pleat, I'd HIGHLY recommend Matt Newsome of the Tartan Museum. They are a tad "different" than everyone else, but VERY usable as a day-to-day AND a formal tartan. ALL of the "nice" kilts I have made are box-pleats. I'd STRONGLY recommend they get a look.

As for "how do you decide" a kiltmaker?
Well, there are a number out there. It gets to a balance of $$$$, quality, and time. Ron, Hamish, or one of the other "kilt collectors" here could talk of each one and their specific traits (I wouldn't call the pros and cons, as most really aren't "cons," just tendancies and traits of each HANDMADE garment and reflective of its maker).
I'd email or PM THEM and ask for recommendations, as they are more likely to be open on the quirks of each in a less public form.

**Fedgunner** · 25th May 07, 12:45 PM

Well the decision is made.

After speaking with Kathy Lare on the phone, I've sent the down payment for a nine yard, 16 ounce kilt in Brown tartan.

**Riverkilt** · 25th May 07, 12:54 PM

A wise choice. I know you'll be pleased with Kathy's work.

Don't forget the matching flashes if you want them. Kathy make's excellent flashes. For rare tartans you gotta get them with the kilt...go backs are prohibitively expensive.

Happy for you.

Ron

**Dirk Skene** · 25th May 07, 12:58 PM

Just me, personally. I use only sponsors or members of this site. They are helpful, give a good product for a fair price & they are easy to contact.

**McMurdo** · 25th May 07, 01:06 PM

Congratulations on ordering your new kilt. I have not ordered a kilt from Kathy Lare but she was on my short list when I ordered my Isle of Skye.

I was lucky enough to do the same thing with part of my bonus this year so because a 16 oz wool kilt is a big purchase I went with a tartan shop that is close to me, that way I could go in for fittings, and when there was a bit of weight loss between the measurement and pick up of the kilt I was able to go in and have them fix it in 10 minutes.

**The Wizard of BC** · 25th May 07, 01:08 PM

Just a thought, but has anyone even invited Kathy Lare to join us her on the forum.

Maybe she won't become an advertiser, but at least we could hear her input to some posts.

**Panache** · 25th May 07, 01:16 PM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

Just a thought, but has anyone even invited Kathy Lare to join us her on the forum.

Maybe she won't become an advertiser, but at least we could hear her input to some posts.

I recall Ron (Riverkilt) once telling me in a PM that she was a member of X marks the Scot, albeit an infrequent visitor to the site. Ron should let her know that we would appreciate her thoughts when he places his next kilt order.

Cheers

Jamie

**Fedgunner** · 25th May 07, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

A wise choice. I know you'll be pleased with Kathy's work.

Don't forget the matching flashes if you want them. Kathy make's excellent flashes. For rare tartans you gotta get them with the kilt...go backs are prohibitively expensive.

Happy for you.

Ron

Oh yes.... Straight, fringed flashes are on order with the kilt.

**Skweres** · 26th May 07, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

My $.02- Check out the House of Edgar heavyweight tartan range. They are the only mill that I know of that makes the Brown tartan in a 16oz fabric. If that's to your liking, I'd recommend a custom-tailored kilt by Matt Newsome of the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin. I currently have 2 5yd. knife-pleated kilts and a 4yd. box-pleat, all in heavyweight wool. You can't beat this option for comfort, craftsmanship, and customer-service. Matt is by far the best supplier of Scottish goods I've run across.

David

i agree the House of Edgar does a very fine job