An 8 yard I just got...

[Piedmont Highlander]

Hello All,

So I have started things off by jumping in with both feet (sort of) and today I picked up an 8 yard kilt from a place that had listed it on Craig's List. It had been donated and I knew right away it was the real deal so I got it. But it doesn't fit me. That's OK, I'll put it on eBay, or somewhere else and parlay that into a kilt that will fit me. But I have a few questions I need answered so I can make this a good listing and, hopefully, sell it for its full value.

First question, can anyone tell me what this pattern of tartan is? My closest guess was Modern Royal Stewart. But the blue AND green say I'm a fool.

kilt pattern.jpg

Second question, the kilt is made by Hugh MacPherson in Edinburgh (still a going concern, as I found in the forums), but I have no way of dating it. If I were to guess, I'd say it was well over 10 years old, but not heavily worn at all (especially since it was worn here in California). There's a stain on the lining, and I cleaned some spots off of the pleats, but that's all.

Third question, how can I tell how heavy the wool is? I'd guess it's 16 oz since it's very heavy and thick, but I don't know 13 oz wool, so it would be hard for me to say.

Fourth question, how do I take the measurements of the kilt? There is no size listed (since it's custom, I'm sure), so I'd like to be as specific as I can when I sell it. It wouldn't even fit around my hips, so it's a pretty narrow kilt (my waist size is 36 and I wear a 42 kilt...for now).

Fifth question, what, in your educated opinions, would you guess the value is for a kilt such as this and at what price should I set the auction? Again, it's a custom 8 yard kilt, made by a reputable producer. Not something you see on eBay much...which may be to my advantage. Honestly though, at this point, I'd just like to get this one gone so I can get started toward my kilt.

Thanks for your help and I hope I didn't say the wrong thing anywhere in my inexperience.

[The Wizard of BC]

First of all, Welcome.

Now, to your third and fourth questions.

The answer to how to find out what the size of a kilt is please see this helpful thread.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=81662

And as to the weight of the fabric.
A 16oz kilt will weight just under 4 pounds and a 13oz kilt will weight just under 3 pounds.
To know for sure you need to figure out how many square inches of fabric there is in your kilt and the total weight of the kilt in ounces.

With a tape measure read the total length along the hem in inches.
Then read the total length from hem to top of waistband also in inches.

Multiply the two numbers. This is how many square inches of fabric are in your kilt.

Divide the result you get by 2160. 2160 is how many square inches are in one yard of fabric. This will tell you how many fabric yards are in your kilt.

Now place your kilt on a good accurate scale. One that will give you the total weight in ounces. A postal Scale will usually work. If you don't have one go to your local post office and ask them to weight it for you.

Once you have the total weight in ounces divide that by the fabric yards from above. this will give you a pretty good idea of the weight of the cloth your kilt is made from.

[bwat]

Firstly it's good that you're trying to put together a detailed description for selling this kilt. Some of the descriptions are very poor indeed. On behalf of all of us who hunt on ebay, I thank you!

The used kilts that have been sold recently on the UK ebay (where I've either been the buyer or interested enough to keep an eye on it) have been going for between 60 and 100 pounds excl. postage. Examples:

8 yards ex-hire Gunn Modern:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400772673690?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageNa me=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Gordon Highlanders army kilt:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/military-K...:X:RTQ:GB:1123

7 yard dress Gordon:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2615869166...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Doesn't take a genius to realise why this kilt isn't moving:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8-meter-ha...item1c457c51f3

[Piedmont Highlander]

Very good information, thank you very much! Being accurate on listings, I would think, would be of tantamount importance when it comes to a kilt.

Well, so much for dreams of selling it for big bucks. But I should at least get my initial investment back. But it won't get me a Bonnie Heather Greene kilt... ;-)

[Barb T]

Tartan is Modern MacPherson.

[Piedmont Highlander]

Thank you, Barb!!!!

[SoCalScotsman]

I may be interested. Would you mind posting a link when you do get it up on ebay?

[Piedmont Highlander]

I'd be happy to! Pictures really don't do the tartan justice, it's quite vibrant.

[MacLowlife]

Firstly it's good that you're trying to put together a detailed description for selling this kilt. Some of the descriptions are very poor indeed. On behalf of all of us who hunt on ebay, I thank you!

The used kilts that have been sold recently on the UK ebay (where I've either been the buyer or interested enough to keep an eye on it) have been going for between 60 and 100 pounds excl. postage. Examples:

8 yards ex-hire Gunn Modern:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400772673690?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageNa me=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Gordon Highlanders army kilt:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/military-K...:X:RTQ:GB:1123

7 yard dress Gordon:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2615869166...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Doesn't take a genius to realise why this kilt isn't moving:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/8-meter-ha...item1c457c51f3

My assumption is, the Modern Green Douglas kilt is a little expensive. The seller has zero feedback and I just checked- he has either listed the kilt twice ( not unheard of amongst those unfamiliar with eBay) or he has two of them to sell. Looking at his photos, he may have an entire rack of them. I wonder if he has a box of white hose to go with them.

On the good side, he is in Grantown-on-Spey, so one could go pick it up from him and do a little whisky touring at the same time.

[Mike_Oettle]

Do the whisky tour without calling on the seller, I would say.