Boy, do I envy you gents who live in Scotland, or at least close to a kilt maker. I don’t. I live in Southern California, just North of San Diego. There aren’t any kilt makers in my area, so when I heard of one, (about an hour’s drive away) I thought that I would splurge and get another tank made to my exact measurements. I made an appointment, found her house, and went over to talk to her.

Wow, did I have a very disappointing experience! I should mention, I guess, that I have been wearing kilts for about 18 years. I have several kilts (12 I think). When I was on active duty, there was seldom opportunity to be kilted. But I still wore kilts in many countries, and locations. When I got out of the Marine Corps, I did three things: I grew a full beard, I got my left ear pierced, and I started to wear kilts as my daily attire. Well four things, actually – I got fat!

I wear kilts as normal day-to-day clothing. I read many, many books on tartans, kilts, and Scottish things, in general. I am not some hobbyist re-enactor, or person renting a kilt to go to a wedding. I wear kilts! I know what I want.

What I wanted from this lady, was a custom made kilt to my specifications, pleated to my desires, and usable as an everyday piece of clothing.

I wanted a “traditional” kilt, with the tartan of my choice. I did, however, want a few modifications.

The things I wanted, didn’t seem, and don’t seem excessive to me. I wanted the left pleat, (the pleat that forms the left side of the apron) to be much deeper than I have normally seen. I wanted this pleat to be at least 12”. I think it hangs better. I wanted Velcro to be used for ease of wear. I see no real reason, in the modern kilt, other than appearance, for the right, top buckle. The belt covers it, anyway. And - I always wear a belt. I wanted this buckle to be replaced with Velcro. I had a couple of other ideas, but we never got to them.

This lady wouldn’t even listen to my desires. She stated that she only makes “regulation” kilts. We now have regulations about kilts? I don’t think so! We do have customs, traditions, and things that tend to look good. No Regulations!

So, when I realized that this lady wasn’t willing to be flexible and bend to the desires of her prospective customer, I said that I was sorry to have wasted her time, and left. –Not a happy camper.

On the drive over, I was thinking of ways to pleat, which colors would look good in which tartan. I was getting excited about being measured, and then going back for a fitting. Little did she know, that I had a check in my pocket, and would have ordered two kilts? I was thinking of one full tank, and one box pleated.

On the drive back, I came to the conclusion, that this lady, has only one pattern for making a kilt – maybe purchased from the McCall pattern book. She sure wasn’t what I expected from a kilt maker!

Now, if I want another kilt custom made, I will have to do it by mail, just like always.

--Heavy sigh!!!--