Found a kiltmaker..

[akaussie]

G'day all, I was looking through the phone book and dicovered a dancewear shop that specialises in scottish dancing stuff. Best thing is, its a half hour drive away from where I live. I rang the lady and had a chat with her and she can make me a kilt the way I want it out of either wool or poly/vis, I cant beleive it!
When i get the chance will go over and see her.
Good thing is I can get fitted for it personally and for around the same price as i can get from the states.
She makes either solid or tartan kilts and makes them as the traditional cut, but will have a look at making one hang from where my jeans/ shorts do. She also insists that leather kilt straps are the only way to go and dont actually add that much to the price of the kilt.
Will keep you all posted as how it goes.
Cheers Andrew

[Graham]

Well done Andrew, she sounds a switched on lady! I reckon she's been peeking in here for ideas

It is good to have a proper fitting done in person, altho' I have no complaints with the kilts I've bought from USAK, all have fitted fine.

Do try to post some piccies when you have it done, I'd love to see it.

[Casey]

There really is something about being "measured" for clothing.

Casey

[Jimmy Carbomb]

That's awesome. There's NOTHING like finding a kiltmaker that's local and good. The service and hands-on measuring will help immensely.

Plus... you're throwing the businees locally.

Word spreads quick enough, you MIGHT just get some converts in your neck of the woods.

[akaussie]

Thought I had better elaborate a bit more on my post, reread what I wrote yesturday, and need to add a few things (was asleep on my feet as past bedtime when I hastily posted news, on night shift at present).
Anyway the lady i spoke with isnt the actual kiltmaker but assures me that they can produce a kilt to suit my requirements, the kiltmaker she has does the majority of the kilts used by most highland pipe bands in the state,as well as trhe highland dancers etc!
told her that i was concerned about wool as I think I am alergic to it. she explained that that is usually due to rough fibers in the wool and has told me that they import only top quality tartan from scottland and can show me one that I would swear was silk!!
I also asked her if I supplied the material of my choice would they make a kilt from it. her response was that they would have to see the material first.
I told her about Barb's advice that any material that is too thick for a shirt can be used for a kilt and she agreed.
Also told her about the solid colour kilt that jimmy made and would like one made the same way.
They have made solid kilts already as the irish musicians/dancers have sometimes requested them.
So all in all the best thing for me to do is to go see her and have a chat and look at their work.
They also hire kilts so may even do that for a day to see what a traditional kilt is like to wear.
she also said that they only make the 8 yarders.
I told her about this forum and the nikname "tank"
Anyway who knows what will eventuate, they also stock Barb's book so that is another option! (might enquire about lessons could lead to new and uncharted career!!!) Cheers all Andrew
P.S. they also make there own shoes (cant remember proper name) and there own belts/buckles and sporrans
(sounds like I hit the jackpot here!!!!)
P.p.s was thinking of getting the same material that my AK is made of for them to make up,I can get it for
$8/metre. So for $50 I can get 2 kilts made from it, depending on how much they charge to build them it could be the best way. I explained that these kilts would be used for day to day wear so wasnt keen on forking out a lot of cash for just one kilt. also said they could probably alter my AK to fit me better.
Jimmy, what are your thoughts on the material I mentioned.
And if anyone else has opinions I be glad to hear them.
Wouyld the cotton twill or the poly/vis be better??

[GMan]

Andrew,

It sounds as if you have done your homework, well done and CONGRATULATIONS on the find

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Andrew, the last solid that I did was made of green cotton-twill. I prefer the cotton-twill for three reasons.
1).It's more forgiving in the sewing process, which allows the kiltmaker to bend it with their fingers (allowing for better drape).
2).It's tougher than nails in wear and tear. This is my third one in cotton-twill, and there's no fading or wear.
3).There's no pilling or running. I have six poly-viscose kilts and they all are pilling. Two have the fabric seperating in the fibers. Not a happy camper at all.
If you're lucky enough to get a nice, thick cotton-twill, it will get softer with washings (and Downey) while it maintains its form.

[akaussie]

Thanks for that insight Jimmy, would the same cotton twill that my AK is made of be ok? I think the stuff I found at spotlight is either the same or slightly thicker than it. Would I be better off washing it first before they make the kilt so that it preshrinks the material or would they do it? Thanks again. Andrew

[akaussie]

Gman, yes I have done my homework as I really want to wear kilts but am making sure the next one looks like the real thing (think thats what the prob is with my wife) the modern ones arent how she interperets a kilt to look so I'll start with a traditional cut and go from there. Cheers Andrew