Who actually OWNS a Scottish hand-sewn?

**Mychael Sporrano** · 3rd September 04, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by ggibby

Maggie warned me never to let a dry cleaner do more than spot-treat my preciousss, which then begs the question: Where in Houston can I get my kilt pressed (ahem)?

This whole issue of dry cleaning also has me a mite baffled. With any regular wear, it seems inevitable that a kilt of any fabric will require some cleaning and pressing. The pressing of wool I can handle, though I am not adverse to paying a professional for this service from time to time. Spot cleaning of a stinky canvas/linen liner or soiled tartan doesn't seem daunting. As for an actual all out cleaning, I am not at all sure what to do and am hoping that there will be some advice given here in this regard.

Mychael

**ggibby** · 3rd September 04, 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by Mychael

Spot cleaning of a stinky canvas/linen liner or soiled tartan doesn't seem daunting.

Liner? DO go on! This sounds like, maybe what some would call a 'slip'? But in a manly swaggering way, of course...

Now I think I'm missing something in my kit.

**Mychael Sporrano** · 3rd September 04, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by ggibby

Liner? DO go on! Now I think I'm missing something in my kit.

Don't all traditional kilts have a canvas, linen, or viscose liner that serves to cover the scalloping of the pleats around the waist, as well as to give some stability at the small of the back to help hold the kilt from slipping?

If I gave the impression that it is a huge thing that covers the entirety of the inside of the kilt, I apologize!

Mychael

**ggibby** · 3rd September 04, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by Mychael

If I gave the impression that it is a huge thing that covers the entirety of the inside of the kilt, I apologize!

No need of that, just my imagination. I do know what you mean by the lining.
A long day in the sun could make that a bit whiffy, eh?

**Rufus** · 3rd September 04, 12:22 PM

This thread is great!

I'm one of those people that needed this thread to learn more about the traditionals, and their place versus that of the casuals. This thread has answered questions I didn't even know I had until I read the answers!

I saved up for the last two summers, and have ~$500 for a kilt. So, I've had the big dilemma of 1 traditional, or 2 casuals. After reading this thread, I'm seeing the wisdom of purchasing something that may cost a lot more, but will also last a lot longer. I guess I'm trying to say that I should see a traditional not so much as just a purchase, but more as a long term investment.

So, thanks guys for all of your input, and especially to Jimmy for starting this thread.

**Mychael Sporrano** · 3rd September 04, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by ggibby

And going out in public wearing a $400 anything makes me nervous for my knockabout self. Life gets dirty sometimes.

Life DOES get dirty sometimes. I have thought exactly this more than once while wearing a traditional kilt on a casual walk uptown, trying to avoid the tarred telephone pools with my pleats. Usually I wear a casual kilt for such endeavors, but sometimes the soul gets a boost from feeling the weight and swing of a good ol' wool kilt.

Now, when I am really dressed nicely I have tallied myself as wearing more than $1000 worth of clothing and accessories. As we all know, this is quite easy to do when dealing with kilts, jackets, sporrans, etc... [As an aside, I used to work with an older woman who would have called me a "sport", which to her was a fellow who walked around all gussied up yet who had naught but wind in his pocket and empty promises.] Anyway, I know that I have earned my kilts and such through hard work and savings, still it can seem rather incongrous juxtaposed with the homeless fellow on the corner who invariably asks me for cigarettes that I never have.

Mychael

**macwilkin** · 3rd September 04, 01:46 PM

[As an aside, I used to work with an older woman who would have called me a "sport", which to her was a fellow who walked around all gussied up yet who had naught but wind in his pocket and empty promises.]

In Arizona that would be a fella who was "all hat, no cattle"!

Quite a few of those "drugstore cowboys" out there now.

Cheers!

T.

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 3rd September 04, 03:13 PM

As far as the Dry Cleaning MY kilt... there's no way in H_LL those people are touching my kilt!!!

I might rely on them for a "spot clean", but there's not way they're touching my "tank"!!!!!

When there's a problem, it gets Woolite in the sink. That way, I monitor the soap, I monitor the amount of liquid that touches the wool, and I monitor the rinse.

When it gets a little "gamey" it can go in the dryer on the low setting with the "home dry-cleaning" stuff. So far it's worked like a charm.

Ironing a "tank"? Let's just pour acid on the thing too. Ironing wool breaks down the natural fibres, and eventually allows it to "crack off". We usually lay-out sweaters to dry... and kilts should do the same. It's easier to dry-press pleats anyway.

DRY CLEANERS ON MY STUFF? I guess I should take my car to WalMart for a new transmission too.

**bikercelt1** · 3rd September 04, 06:15 PM

c'mon Jimmy, don't hold back, tell us how you really feel about dry cleaners and irons!

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 3rd September 04, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by bikercelt1

c'mon Jimmy, don't hold back, tell us how you really feel about dry cleaners and irons!

Some of my best friends are dry-cleaners and irons. They're just misunderstood and under-appreciated. Let's all take a moment to thank the dry cleaners and irons! (Hope that's better)

If it wasn't for those two, the kiltmakers wouldn't have the opportunity to replace all the damaged kilts!

I guess some people forget that wool is essentially hair. That stuff WILL burn! Just ask Richard Pryor.