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09-06-2006, 01:33 PM
|  | | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 150
| | | Taken by sloppy kiltmaker
I ordered an 8-yd saffron kilt from an ex-Irish Ranger in Northern Ireland ...
Well, after a month delay added to the original production time, it turns up today. The top of the pleats are not sewn, just like on a stillwater kilt, and the lining starts 4" from the waistband! Worse still, the straps are several inches too low so that it doesn't tighten properly around my waist, and pulls at my hips. I paid enough to have a proper job done. I was planning on wearing it to the Ligonier Games on Sunday ... not only can I not do that, I fear I may be out major bucks. Can anybody recommend a good support group for victims of sloppy kiltmaking??
By the way, the fabric is from Marton Mills and is beautiful - which makes me feel even worse that I can't wear it. Sigh!
Mark - Ohio
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09-06-2006, 02:05 PM
|  | | | Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA
Posts: 1,724
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That sounds awful, hopefully you can find somebody to fix it. Sewing down the fell should be relatively easy, as would be moving the straps. The lining on the other hand sounds weird. Is it just canvassed or is it the actual lining that should be over the canvas. O'Neille
__________________ Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once. Of all the wonders I yet have heard, it seems to me most strange that men should fear; seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come. --William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...rCanyon017.jpg http://www.HearDoc.com corrected URL 5-11-2009
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09-06-2006, 02:29 PM
|  | | | Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chicago
Posts: 4,616
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That is a shame. It's even more upsetting because the circle of kilt consumers is a relatively small but discriminating group...the kilt is such a simple garment on a basic level and it achieves its "magic" through the use of good material and good craftsmanship. Sounds like you got the material but not the craftsmanship. I hope that someone can rescue your Saffron.
Best
AA
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09-06-2006, 02:33 PM
|  | Retired Forum Moderator | | Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,717
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Why not look into ordering the Irish National or Saffron ffom Stillwater for the games.
Check with Matt, Barb, or Robert MacDonald ( www.westcoastkilts.com) to see if the kilt can be repaired.
How did you originally find the kiltmaker?
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09-06-2006, 03:34 PM
| | | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Northeast Ohio
Posts: 150
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O'Neille:
I'm talking about the actual black cotton lining over the canvas ... the canvas is pretty far down too. Now that I poke around under there, it doesn't look as if the excess fabric from the pleats has been cut away.
Colin:
I've purchased several accessories (flashes, balmorals, etc) from this particular person, all made at his home, and all of very good quality. I guess I liked the idea of an ex-Ranger making my kilt in Northern Ireland (where my family originates) so much that I didn't even consider that he didn't know what he was doing.
As for Irish National, I wouldn't be caught dead in it! I believe Stillwater's saffron is a saffron coloured shadow tartan, rather than a solid saffron - anyway, I prefer a proper wool kilt.
I have a few people who could do the repairs, but I will ask the folks at the website you provided to see how much they charge. It's just the added frustration and cost, you know? I could've ordered one from the Kilt Store for slightly less than I paid this guy, and it would've been perfect.
Mark - Ohio
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09-06-2006, 04:16 PM
|  | Retired Forum Manager
Gentleman of X Marks | | Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: San Jose, California
Posts: 8,781
| | Quote: |
Originally Posted by orangehaggis
... I believe Stillwater's saffron is a saffron coloured shadow tartan, rather than a solid saffron
| You are right, the Saffron is a Shadow Tartan. The pattern is only visable in certain lights, which makes it very cool . Quote: |
Originally Posted by orangehaggis
anyway, I prefer a proper wool kilt.
| The saffron is a Stillwater Heavyweight, it's a wool kilt
Cheers
__________________
-See it there, a white plume
Over the battle - A diamond in the ash
Of the ultimate combustion-My panache
Edmond Rostand |
09-06-2006, 04:23 PM
| | Retired Forum Moderator | | Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,717
| | Quote: |
Originally Posted by orangehaggis I have a few people who could do the repairs, but I will ask the folks at the website you provided to see how much they charge. It's just the added frustration and cost, you know? I could've ordered one from the Kilt Store for slightly less than I paid this guy, and it would've been perfect. | Hopefully it can be fixed. I guess it's the risk we all take dealing on the internet. Good luck.
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09-06-2006, 05:33 PM
| | Membership Revoked | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: A long time ago in a kilt far, far away
Posts: 3,157
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I hope you get it fixed right, and soon!
as for the support group you seek, you have already found it!
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09-06-2006, 06:07 PM
|  | This member has been inactive for more than 1 year | | Join Date: May 2006 Location: Clinton, South Carolina (USA)-> Atlanta native
Posts: 1,800
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Matt Newsome's posted info on alterations: http://kilts.albanach.org/alterations.html
He is in North Carolina, USA, by the way.
We KNOW his craftsmanship is good.
__________________
MacWage, "Dark Lord of the Box Pleat!"/ "Box Pleat Militant" Laird of Glenmoor (Carolina)
CARPE TARTANAM! (Seize the Tartan!)
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09-06-2006, 06:31 PM
|  | | | Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coeur d Alene, ID
Posts: 4,435
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OH
I'm not clear about your communication with the kilt maker. Since you have purchased other goods from him, you are a return customer. I'd suggest you contact him and share your surprise and displeasure with him. It sounds like you know a good kilt when you see one, perhaps he will offer some satisfaction in the end. If not - you are in the unfortunate position of deciding if the kilt is worth amore expense to fix it or if this is one very expensive life lesson - but I bet you knew that part already.
You have my sympathy for your unfortunate and costly situation.
__________________ Phil in Idaho "Walk Tall, Walk Straight, and Look the World Right in the Eye."
That Great Celtic Philosopher Val Doonican | | |
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