Who actually OWNS a Scottish hand-sewn?

**auld argonian** · 6th June 08, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by georgeblack7

That counts... Lenora (I assume) made my McGregor 13oz. The Celtic Corner is a great shop.

Ah...and I got the email yesterday that the kilt is ready and that she'll be able to mail it to me before the Illinois St. Andrew Society Highland Games...so I got that goin' for me.

I had intended that I pick it up at the games because Celtic Corner Store is going to be there as a vendor but this works out better...I was just thinking, "where at the Oak Brook Polo Grounds could I change kilts?" The only thing that springs to mind would be the port-o-sans and excuse me if I really don't want to be trying to de-kilt and re-kilt inside of a stinky plastic box while it's like 90 degrees outside. At least I'll get a chance to meet Lenora and I hope that I'll be doing the kilt justice. After much craving, I finally gave in and got the Horses of Inverurie belt buckle that matches the horsies on my kilt pin so it'll be a double debut. Now if the belt for that nifty buckle would only get here...c'mon USPS...

Best

AA

**jeffharrison** · 6th June 08, 07:50 PM

Both my first and my current kilts were made by a Polish tailor at Scottish Modern Enterprises here in Illinois -- I just couldn't muster the courage to order a piece that tailored and expensive long-distance. The tartan came from Scotland, MacDougall modern.

I got my first kilt in 1997, and it was 8yds (I think...maybe 9...I can't remember, and don't know enough to tell the difference now), and here it's odd. I swear when I got it I talked to the owner, and despite his recommendations, I asked for 18oz kilts -- we were getting them for my dad, brother and me, all in preparation for my wedding. My thinking was -- heavier, stronger, if I'm paying this much, I want the toughest sounding weight...really, what did I know? When we got them, I was informed that they couldn't get 18oz for all three, so two would be 16oz. Again, not knowing much, and it being a week before my wedding, I was upset about that...but it really ended up plenty fine.

Last April, we were back with the kilts for my brother's wedding. I was beyond the limits of my kilt, so that went to my brother, and I had to get a new one (he sold his old kilt to his buddy who was also in the wedding party). Same tailor, but I was talking with his wife (he still doesn't speak much if any English...or maybe he just doesn't talk...nice guy all the same), and she said there was no way my old kilt was 18oz...so she really steered me to a 16oz -- and having seen my brother's and dad's, I was now more comfortable with the 16oz idea. So I told her to order the 16oz, but if they couldn't get that weight, go UP to the 18oz. In all the final run up to the wedding, my brother picked up the kilt when it arrived, and I never got out there to ask what weight it is...so now I just don't know for sure what I've got hahaha...BUT lovely work, and it fits and feels incredible! All of them (basically this tailor has made 4 kilts for us spanning 11 years) are gorgeous. And I really feel like a badass when I wear it, so I gotta say it's a great treat when I can get it out and wear it around...and I do...I should be more protective of it, but I feel it was meant to be worn, so wear it I will, and if it takes some abuse, I'll just be that much more proud of it!

Cheers all!

jh

**Lyrd** · 8th June 08, 07:03 PM

The closest thing to a tank i own is a SWK Black Watch heavy weight. It's not hand sewn, made from Strome wool or cost $600 dollars, but it IS 16oz of wool made in a traditional look.

I have a 16oz Lochcarron woven, McKenzie weathered, Kathy Lare hand sewn on order though. It should be just about done. (fingers crossed!).

**David Dalglish** · 8th June 08, 11:15 PM

I have 5-9yd & one 10yd hand sewn wool kilts & have another 9yd on order.-Fantastic

**be da veva** · 9th June 08, 09:28 AM

I have a handmade 16oz/8yrd kilt in Lindsay modern. Bought it in Toronto in 2001 for 650$. I jumped on the chance to buy one because in Montreal, the same thing would of cost me around 1200$ (twice as much...) Before that one, I had one from a costume shop, old piping-band kilt in NovaScotia tartan. But it was a bit too small ( about 3/4") After I bought mine, i could feel the difference so I sold it on Ebay.

Have to say that I bought a tropical kilt on ebay and it will never compare with my tank.

My wife told me that if I wanted another kilt like that, I had to wear my tank out... can't be done... near indestructable (sp?) I guess i'll never have another tank...
as if she could stop me... ;o)

**kiltiejimbob** · 17th June 08, 02:23 PM

I have three hand made kilts. One I got from Cairngorm in Toronto as an ex-rental for not too much money. Nicely made, they assured me it was handmade. It is in the Baird tartan. Looks great with just a bit of purple in the blue green to add something to the over all look. 13oz.

The next one is an Earl of St. Andrews Strome kilt. Also bought second hand from Richardson's in Toronto. It is much older yet still looks good and hangs well. There is a definite difference in the weight of this one compared to my medium weight kilt. This one was made by Burnett's when they were still just Burnett's. I have washed this kilt and it came out very well indeed.

My most recent kilt is a 16oz kilt as well, but this one is much heavier than the others.(I think there can be differences in the weight of the Strome fabric depending on the mill etc.) I ordered it from Houston's of Paisley over the internet. It is in Cameron Hunting Weathered. There is a link to the Cameron Clan in my lineage, so had my first new kilt in one of the Cameron tartans. This one was expensive. I asked for the top of the line hand sewn version and the 16oz wool. It is a very, very nice kilt indeed. Ken MacDonald is a great person to deal with. Honourable and kind. It is very finely made with both hand sewing and machine sewing evident. It hangs well and the swing is truly awe inspiring. In the end, I am willing to accept finely done machine sewing as well as hand sewing. I think this one can truly be called a "tank", in the best sense of the word.

I don't keep my newest kilt just for special occasions. I tend to wear it around the house a lot. I have even gardened while wearing it, albeit very carefully. It is so comfortable, hangs well and the colours of the tartan are fascinating to look at as they tend to change depending on what the light is like. Odd but true. I was wearing it to walk the dogs quite regularly, but have stopped that lately as I gathered I was becoming the town eccentric, and that was a little more than I bargained for. I like to wear it with my socks scrunched down, a big sweater and my Blundstones. I also wore it this past winter in -15c to shovel snow. A few sweaters, couple of pairs of socks a hat and nothing could be warmer.

kiltiejimbob

**Rudieke007** · 20th June 08, 08:01 AM

I have 9 handsewn scottish kilts and would not think about buying something else. The feeling is unique, the pleats are bouncing with every step you take. Nothing better!!!

**londonpiper** · 8th July 08, 05:43 AM

8 yard 16oz Lochcarron Modern hunting MacGregor bought in Edinbro' 23 years ago and it's been right round the world with me at least twice. The amazing thing is that in spite of, at times, daily wear, there is almost no colour loss as compared to my piper's plaid bought only a couple of years ago.