Surprises inside a custom Scottish-made kilt

[Jock Scot]

Given the output of kilt makers selling to travellers, the possible low number of wearings of such kilts, the probably low number of those kilts being taken to be altered and examined - there could be an awful lot of kilts out there which are in the same unsupported condition.

It has taken a fair number of years for this one to be revealed, many more may lurk unknown in wardrobes worldwide.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

I was thinking the same thing, Anne. What we may be seeing is the tip of the iceberg, I hope not, but----------------

[Mel1721L]

I discovered the problem with my cilt quite quickly, that is within 4 months. I've worn it a dozen or so times. If it was rarely worn it probably would never have come to light.

[The Wizard of BC]

Jock, I was speaking to another kilt maker just this morning and he said that this is the reason he will no longer offer alterations on other maker's kilts.

[Jock Scot]

Jock, I was speaking to another kilt maker just this morning and he said that this is the reason he will no longer offer alterations on other maker's kilts.

That does not sound good, Steve. Out of interest, was the kilt maker that you were talking to this morning talking about "other kilt makers" in general, or "other kilt makers" from Scotland in particular?

[The Wizard of BC]

Jock, I'm going to side-step your question if you don't mind. I can't really answer for any other kiltmaker. All I know is what I was told and the kiltmaker I was talking to did not specify.

To me, I do not care if the kilt was made in Scotland or anywhere else. It is all about the individual customer who has walked in with his kilt. I need to know what his plans are for his kilt. If what he wants is a kilt to wear once or twice a year, or to the pub, or once a year to his local games, then his kilt may be fine for its intended purpose, the needs of the customer and his budget.

If a customer wants a high quality kilt, and the one he brings in is something less, I leave it up to him to spend the money to upgrade it or not.

Where the kilt was made or by whom is not a factor in this instance.

But, have I seen a lessening of quality in some kiltmakers' products over the past few years? Well, frankly, yes. From some shops. Not all, but some. Some of those shops are in Scotland, some not.


In the case of this particular customer, the kilt was made in Scotland by a reputable name shop. The customer wants a high quality kilt for dressy occasions and wants to look his best. He also agreed, and could afford, to have his kilt upgraded to meet his needs.

[MacGumerait]

Steve ,

This is an excellent , informative and valuable thread .

Before I was a member here and even aware of XMarks , I was fortunate enough to have some knowledge of kilt making . I am certainly not a kiltmaker but I was somewhat informed on the construction and the components , which I do realize is rather uncommon .

Thus when I would order a kilt ... I would have two main discussions with the particular company or person .

First discussion ... measurements and pleating, which is to be expected .

Second discussion ... I would ask about steeking , stabilizer and transition panel . I would also let them know that I would be checking for these components . This second discussion always proved beneficial .

This thread helps to teach all of us to have this second discussion when dealing with said party for the first time . If for no other reason ... to let the maker / seller know that as a customer we are informed and that we expect these components .

One would think this " second discussion " shouldn't be necessary ( and it isn't necessary with XMarks vendors ) but if one is dealing with any other company or person for the first time ... it can be beneficial ( to the customer ) to let them know that one is at least aware of these components and expect them .

Thank you for sharing this experience and keeping us informed .... regardless of who made this particular kilt ... your efforts ( and others ) are always appreciated .

[bonnie heather]

As a full time kiltmaker, I don't understand why anyone would skip these important steps of the inner construction: steeking, waist stabilizer and canvas with tailor basting. It takes less than an hour to do, but it's so important for the quality and long life of the kilt that it's done right.

[sydnie7]

Back when I worked for Clymer publications (do it yourself auto, motorcycle, etc manuals) we'd tell non-DIYers to buy a book, break the spine, smear it with grease, and leave it on the front seat when they took their car in for repairs Now I'm trying to think up an analogous treatment for TAoK and kilt purchasers. . . MacGumerait's story holds the key.

[unixken]

Now I'm trying to think up an analogous treatment for TAoK and kilt purchasers. . .

Perhaps add some small blood stains, from fingers poked by needles, on the pages that describe the sewing... ?

[RockyR]

That does not sound good, Steve. Out of interest, was the kilt maker that you were talking to this morning talking about "other kilt makers" in general, or "other kilt makers" from Scotland in particular?

Jock,

As the "other kiltmaker" Steve was referring to who won't alter kilts we didn't make, I can tell you it's not Scottish kilts, but ANY kilts. I've seen good and bad machine sewn kilts and good and bad hand sewn kilts. I've seen good and bad Scottish made, Canadian made, Australian made and American made kilts. I've also seen and inspected Pakistani kilts.

Bottom line, when you take on a project of repairing / altering another kiltmaker's kilts, you never know what you're getting into. Rather than confuse customers or have them leave with hurt feelings ("but I thought I bought a good kilt?!?!"), we simply state that we only alter kilts we made, because we know what to expect when we open them up.