Question for all the Kilt Makers

**Raphael** · 19th September 05, 10:01 AM

Would you rather work as a Traditional Kilt Maker or a Cutting Edge Kilt Designer?

**Barb T** · 20th September 05, 06:06 AM

Me, I love making traditional kilts. Every tartan is different, and every kilt is different.

Barb

**Canuck** · 20th September 05, 06:25 AM

I enjoy making a traditional kilt for myself. But I am having a blast making contemporary kilts and the challenges of different fabrics. As to the cutting edge? These garments have been around for quite some time, if you think about it, the wee kilt as we know it today was the cutting edge of it's time, adapted for the conditions of the time...guess I amongst others are doing the same.
Cheers

**The Wizard of BC** · 20th September 05, 09:58 AM

One of these days I'm gonna get it right.

Until then I'll stick to what I know. I love working with my contemporaries. I've made one kilt using Barb's book and the X Marks will be my second. But I made a promise not to sell tartans in Victoria because my friend does traditionals and I won't compete with her. I wont' take money out of her mouth.

As for cutting edge stuff, I assume you mean the wild things you see in magazines and on the fashion runways, I'll leave them to someone else.

I never wanted to be like UK and have all the hassle of mass production.
I never want to go into the "high fashion' world.

Heck, I make a pretty good living doing what I'm doing and I love it. Sure I'll have to hire some people to keep up with demand, but I'm looking for the right people. Hint hint.

**philbo** · 19th November 05, 03:00 PM

Traditional, simply because it's easier. I've made a couple non-traditional kilts, with pockets, hammer loops, etc. but they're much more of a pain in the **** and there's too much room for error. Perhaps I'd like to be the one who comes up with new kilt ideas, but someone else could come along and actually put those ideas together.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 19th November 05, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

One of these days I'm gonna get it right.

Until then I'll stick to what I know. I love working with my contemporaries. I've made one kilt using Barb's book and the X Marks will be my second. But I made a promise not to sell tartans in Victoria because my friend does traditionals and I won't compete with her. I wont' take money out of her mouth.

As for cutting edge stuff, I assume you mean the wild things you see in magazines and on the fashion runways, I'll leave them to someone else.

I never wanted to be like UK and have all the hassle of mass production.
I never want to go into the "high fashion' world.

Heck, I make a pretty good living doing what I'm doing and I love it. Sure I'll have to hire some people to keep up with demand, but I'm looking for the right people. Hint hint.

Steve, I would love to, but does it pay enought for me to quit my day job? :grin:

**The Wizard of BC** · 19th November 05, 07:53 PM

It's not what I would be able to pay that is the problem.

To get legal in Canada it took me two years and over 4 thousand US dollars.

I tried to hire Oliver Gifford but had the same problem.

Now, if your serious I guess we could sneak you across the border in the trunk of my car. Then I could hold your illeagal immigrant status over your head for the rest of your life. I wouldn't have to pay you more than $2.00 cdn a day and feed you ramen noodles and Kraft dinners. You can sleep under the layout table in the shop. (It will hold down the rat problem)
Then I'll steal your X Marks nic and post all kinds of wonderful comments about the great time your having and others will want the same deal.

OH the mind is awhirl with the possibilities.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 19th November 05, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

It's not what I would be able to pay that is the problem.

To get legal in Canada it took me two years and over 4 thousand US dollars.

I tried to hire Oliver Gifford but had the same problem.

Now, if your serious I guess we could sneak you across the border in the trunk of my car. Then I could hold your illeagal immigrant status over your head for the rest of your life. I wouldn't have to pay you more than $2.00 cdn a day and feed you ramen noodles and Kraft dinners. You can sleep under the layout table in the shop. (It will hold down the rat problem)
Then I'll steal your X Marks nic and post all kinds of wonderful comments about the great time your having and others will want the same deal.

OH the mind is awhirl with the possibilities.

Wow, I haven't had an offer like that in a long time! How big is your trunK? There are 4 of us, me, DW, and 2 DD's! Of course, the Kraft dinners would be a hit with the youngest as she love macaroni and cheese, and the older one loves noodles! And seeing that your in Victoria, I bet you have some great Asian restaurants (although it might take a while to make enough for dinner at $2/day), and both of our daughters are from China, so love Asian food.

And I hope that is a big layout table, with my 6' 3" and 220lbs, my wife at 5' 9" and an undisclosed weight, plus the 2 and 4 year old, it might get a bit tight if it is a small table!

Maybe I should just become a spokesmen for you. I will say that I work for you and you are a great employer with great benefits, and you pay me in kilts!:grin::grin: