Local made or import from Scotland?

**matt.mackinnon** · 19th September 12, 04:40 AM

I made the big decision to by a full kilt kit. I really wanted to have one for my wedding, but was talked out of it by my parents so it simmered as a want in my head for the past 11 years. But I finally decided that my time is now and ordered. Even though there are quite a few Scots who live in my town, I ended up travelling to the big city of Toronto to buy.

I eventually decided on the Mackinnon hunting tartan from Lochcarron as I like the muted green/red and felt it's best for me. After putting down my deposit and heading home, I got a phone call from the shop about where I want it made. The fine people at Cairngorm Scottish Imports have told me that I can either have the kilt made by Lochcarron in Scotland, or they can bring in the 9 yards of tartan and have their kilt maker make it here.

Are there any pro's and con's to either option?

My unfounded concern is that I have paid for a 9 yard kilt (as my hips are 47" and that seems the magic number for an extra yard) and I fear I will be short changed in not getting all the fabric bought. Has anyone bought a kilt made by Lochcarron, and is their workmanship of excellent quality?

thanks for any input.

Matt

**Grizzly** · 19th September 12, 07:18 AM

I think that Riverkilt has had stuff made by LochCarron he may be able to offer some advice. PM him he has a wealth of info on kilts as he up to now has owned 78 of them.

**cable scot** · 19th September 12, 07:29 AM

Lochcarron is a well established tartan mill and has fine kilt-makers,my first kilt was made by them almost 20yrs ago. Who would build your kilt there? I can think of some great folks who make kilts up there. All in All it's up to you,for some folks it HAS TO BE MADE IN Scotland to be a "real kilt",for me only 3 of my 9 were made in Scotland the rest are U.S. made.

NOTE: IMHO the tartan wool that makes up the kilt should come from Scotland or British mills at least.

Hope this helps
Andy

**Tobus** · 19th September 12, 07:42 AM

I would have them send the fabric to your area and get the local kilt maker to do it. Why? Because you can deal with them directly and have all your concerns addressed. If it's made by someone at Lochcarron, you have absolutely no input or control.

When it comes to kilts, it's always better to deal directly with the actual person who will be making it.

**brewerpaul** · 19th September 12, 07:42 AM

If you have a local craftsman I would myself support them. If they are close you ha e the advantage of being personally measured for your Kilt.

**The Wizard of BC** · 19th September 12, 08:57 AM

The truth is that your fabric is probably already sitting in a warehouse in Barrie,ON.
Burnett's & Struth are the Canadian offices of the Lochcarron Woolen Mills. Almost everyone in Canada who orders fabric from Lochcarron is supplied from the Canadian warehouse. Most shops who order fabric from Lochcarron and do not have a kiltmaker have the work done by Burnett's & Struth.

Knowing where your fabric is woven is a good thing, but knowing who your kiltmaker is, is far more important. There are good kiltmakers and there are poor kiltmakers. This is just as true for Canada as it is for Scotland.

The kilt is a had tailored garment. (this is still true regardless if it is machine or hand sewn) It is made from one long length of fabric that is folded and sewn, not from a pattern placed over the fabric, cut out, and sewn on the dotted lines.

I suggest you call your shop and inquire who it is that will actually be making your kilt. If you do not get a good answer seek out a kiltmaker on your own. Look at examples of their work. Talk to them. Have them measure you. Talk to them about pleating styles and pleating to the Sett vs pleating to the stripe. Query them about stabilizers and interfacings.

I assume you just laid down a sizable amount of money for your kilt. You have the right to get what you just paid for.

**artificer** · 19th September 12, 09:02 AM

I'm with Tobus, brewerpaul, and the Wizard. It's good to know your kilt maker. And if you can't find someone local there are a good number of excellent kilt makers on XMarks you might wish to consult with.

ith:

**Tobus** · 19th September 12, 09:06 AM

Query them about stabilizers and interfacings.

This needs to be emphasized. If you don't know what these are, here is a thread where I discovered (to my extreme dismay) that my "made in Scotland" kilt did not have a stabilizer. And it will hopefully explain why it's so important.

That thread is precisely why I will never, ever buy another kilt from someone if I can't speak directly to the kilt maker.

**matt.mackinnon** · 19th September 12, 09:23 AM

It seems that my memory is failing me, and I mixed up tartans. I was originally looking at the Lochcarron 16oz but after seeing the fabric, I preferred the 13oz as it had a finer feel due to the tighter knit. And Lochcarron does't sell my clan in 13oz, so I went with this one:

It ended up being Strathmore woolen mill that had the pattern in 13oz for my clan. It was ordered pleated to the set with buckle loops. The store is going to stand behind the kilt made and if any issues they will deal with by their kilt maker or if not up to snuff, will simply return it and do it back in house. I am told by the store owner that Strathmore quality is high. I guess I'll find out in 6 weeks.