The OUTRAGEOUS Price of kilts!

[Splash_4]

Folks, this has to be one of the most informative threads on this board in sometime. Well done Alan and each of you for keeping it informed and not degenerating into a flame war! I have learned tons here, Thanks all!

[Riverkilt]

Well said Alan,

And we're going to spread the cost of a hand sewn kilt out over how many generations?

I just had an email from Kathy Lare a few weeks ago. She had to raise her prices to stay in business. Postage costs, the exchange rate, were changing but her prices weren't. She did a double check with other members of the Kiltmaker's Guild in Scotland and found out she was charging less for her hand sewn kilts than any other kiltmaker in the guild. A wake up call for sure.

She even said some prospects questioned how her hand sewn kilts could be of quality since they priced so much less than other kiltmakers.

Knowing Kathy as a craftsperson, and not someone in the kiltmaking business for the money, raising her prices was a sad - but necessary - response to the current economy.

I will happily pay her the new increased, but fair prices, in exchange for her craftsmanship.

You can have any two of price, quality, and service. I choose the two later thank you.

Ron

[Alan H]

Mind you, there's a place for the $70-$100 kilt. You bet! I have a Stillwater Standard and I also have two $100 kilts. The notion of wearing a $100 garment to work out in kind of boggles my mind, but there you go. I go sweat, work out and throw heavy stuff in my USA Kilts Casual model. I'dnot wear my 6-yard painfully-made-by-me X-marks tartan kilt out to roll around in the grass, in!

It's just that the economics of custom kiltmaking are pretty brutal and it's not right to judge the pricing on a custom hand-sewn kilt made out of 100% worsted wool by a yardstick that's set by the pricing mode of a $75 Pakistani, acrylic kit.

[Riverkilt]

Solid point Archangel,

Not just the time at events, the cost of traveling to and from them, the significant cost of renting booth space from the organizers, and the time away from sewing.

I also remember when I was having trouble getting the RAF tartan fabric, Kathy Lare took over the task for me, made some overseas phone calls (not cheap), and got the fabric in for me.

And, that's another service hand sewn kiltmaker's provide. Researching, finding the options, and then ordering in the fabric for the tartan their customer wants.

Ron

[CameronTaylor]

By far one of the best reads on this board in a while, Thanks big A.


CT - wondering which bank to rob to get a machine sewed Cali from AH

[Archangel]

I just had occasion to handle the first kilt I bought. It was made for me in Scotland while I was there and mailed to me here 35 years ago, whoa. It's heavy, from mills that don't exist anymore. I only wore it on special events, like getting married, and I've outgrown it. I took it to Burnett's and Struth to see what it would take to get it made bigger. It would take some money and I have to lose 3-4 inches.

The quality is still there. The wool is still good. I don't have too many other possessions that have lasted that long or are worth putting more money and time into.

I have my army surplus kilt, which did service before coming to me. It still serves for walking on the beach by day and formal dining by night. The quality is still there. It cost me less than the first one so I feel freer with it.

I would not complain about a kiltmaker's rate, only the quality I would get for that money.

By the way, quick plug, you should see the energy Rob of R-kilts puts into his booths at the events. I've seen him a number of times and talked with him. I wear a sporran made by him. The service he gives is incredible and you just can't buy that either. I don't remember if Alan mentioned the time at events as part of the job.

[Big Mikey]

As many before have said, this is a great explanation of value versus cost. I believe that as individuals, we make judgements on what we feel are justified costs. Having just invested in a handmade tank, I have no doubt that I received great value. If the makers wages are approximately half the cost, he made a little but with almost ten yards of material in the garment I know why the cost was high.

I use the comparison of vehicles. A new Harley Davidson runs about $25,000 whereas a new Pontiac compact runs about $13,000. Paying the former for transportation without a heater, that allows me to get wet in the rain and costs twice as much to insure, is just silly.

This is just one more opinion, for better or worse.

[LordKiltClad]

Robin,
your beautiful pieces of art that adorn the bottom right corners of so many kilts are worth their weight in gold. I honestly would have paid more if you asked it.

Same goes for all the kilt makers. I can see why and how such things are worth what they are.

Dread's head gear, Freelander, Turpin, A_Hay, etc's Sporrans, Cavs leather, etc, etc, etc, etc. All worth every penny spent.

[Robin]

I think the main drive of all craftsmen (kiltmakers, leather workers, cooks etc.) is the love for what they make...or do. Not all have to like it, but a happy customer and the knowledge you made something with love for someone who appreciate it...is awesome. We need money to live, but it's not the reason we do our thing I guess. It's nice to make nice things...it really is (and learn from mistakes once in a while)

[Doc]

Thanks for that Alan, I am a kiltmaker also, although I don't like it as a job because I can't support my family on just kilts, I have to contract sew and work part time in a bicycle shop, both jobs average about 10.00 hr gross. I can't afford a web site, advertising, etc. on those wages. I count on word of mouth. I also deal with some peaple who would like the order and then carp at the price. My prices are very competitive with most other kilt makers. If you want If you want top quality at a buget price, find some material on sale, spend 4.00 on needles and thread and make it your self! If you haven't noticed these same kilt makers offer a ton of free help to those on this board who ask, and that is time not sewing. They don't have to do that. Alan dos not have to spend 30-60 hrs writing his instructions, Steve, Rocky, Mat, Barb etc don't have to help at all but they do, but at what cost, time away from sewing, time away from family. So thats my .02. If you happen to see a Lemurian Kasual Kilts, it's one of mine. And thats why you wount see a lot of them.