Can anyone recommend a reputable kilt maker?

**mcclainms72** · 27th July 09, 07:05 AM

I'm looking for someone who's inexpensive, will sell fabric by the yard and swatches, and has a large seslection, because Maclean of Duart isn't available everywhere.

I've looked at the various sponsors of this site, but was hoping to find one that has mine in the colourway I'm looking for, and charges a little less.

Any other recommendations?

**madman79764** · 27th July 09, 07:53 AM

Don't know if this is what you are looking for http://www.scotweb.co.uk/tartan?filt...t+&send=Search

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 27th July 09, 07:58 AM

I'll go ahead and be self-promoting and mention the Scottish Tartans Museum gift shop. We can supply kilts in pretty much any tartan you need. If you let me know what version of the MacLean tartan you are looking for I can let you know what's available.
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/kiltpage.html

**ForresterModern** · 27th July 09, 08:02 AM

There are any number of kiltmakers on this site who could probably service your needs. Just about all of them have access to the same tartans from the same tartan mills, so as long as you are sure which tartan (sounds like Maclean of Duart is what you are looking for) then all you have to decide on is which color style of that tartan you prefer (modern, ancient, weathered, muted, etc..) or if you want the Hunting tartan for that particular clan. There are a large number of variations and pretty much all of them are available for review on Scotweb's tartan finder if you use it and do a search for Duart, then whittle down the results til you find what you want. You can order swatches from them in one or more tartan variations and weights which they will ship to you for your review. IF you choose one of the ones from them they will credit the cost of that particular swatch back to you if you use them to make your kilt. Otherwise you can contact one of the many kiltmakers here or the site advertisers and ask them to quote you a kilt in your chosen tartan.

Kiltmaker recommendations? Matt Newsome, Barb Tewksbury, Bonnie Heather, Chattancat, Lady Chrystal are the names that pop to the top of my head. There are, however, MANY more on this site, in addition to the sponsoring advertisors, each of whom would likely also do a bangup job. I have kilts from Bonnie and Barb and love both. You will also find varying wait lists for each kiltmaker which is usually proportional to the quality of their work, with Barb and Matt typically having the longest waits. Just about any of them can get any tartan out there, or have it woven, but if you are picky about the color scheme you definitely should get swatches and decide which particular one you want from which specific vendor.

Good luck.

**McFarkus** · 27th July 09, 08:03 AM

Kathy Lare should be added to the list.

**xena** · 27th July 09, 08:05 AM

Freedom Kilts (one of the site sponsors) may seem expensive until you realize that he's working in Canadian dollars. Do the conversion, and it may not seem as expensive.

That being said, he's still way out of my price range.

It may have something to do with the fact that the money I earn is also in Canadian dollars, so currency conversion doesn't really help me.

**HeathBar** · 27th July 09, 08:07 AM

There are several reputable kiltmakers on the forum. Not knowing how much you want to spend, its a little hard to point you in the right direction. I will tell you this, in an 8yd traditional kilt the majority of the cost is from the tartan material. I think a kiltmaker will charge anywhere from $250 to $300 on top of that for the construction. I think it takes around 20 hours for a good kiltmaker to complete a kilt. I'll let you do the math on the hourly rate. Any kiltmaker should be able to get you the tartan you want. If a weaver has it in stock, then it shouldn't be too bad. If it has to be custom woven, then it does cost a bit more. Your lowest price might be Matt Newsome and his 4yd box pleated kilt. They are traditional and because they have half the material, they cost less that an 8yd model. With Matt, I think you pay half at the time the material is ordered and then the other half when he starts construction. Right now, its a pretty big line. If you saved up over time it might not be so bad. Remember, this kilt is an investment. It will outlast you if treated right.

**george7** · 27th July 09, 08:55 AM

Scotweb has some really great deals.

If the version of tartan you're looking for is so rare, perhaps it isn't actually the tartan commonly worn by relatives. For instance, there is a tartan for my surname, but we actually prefer to wear Lamont and MacGregor tartans. It honors their hospitality throughout dark times.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 27th July 09, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by mcclainms72

I'm looking for someone who's inexpensive, will sell fabric by the yard and swatches, and has a large seslection, because Maclean of Duart isn't available everywhere.

I've looked at the various sponsors of this site, but was hoping to find one that has mine in the colourway I'm looking for, and charges a little less.

Any other recommendations?

I'm a little confused by your post-- sorry. I presume you want a traditional wool kilt, either a 4 yard box pleat or an 8 yard knife pleat. You want it in a specific, hard to find, colourway, and you want it for less than the kilt makers on this site charge.

As long as you are looking for a traditional kilt, you are going to pay "traditional" prices. Those kilt makers previously mentioned are all first class kilt makers, and all of them charge less than first class kilt makers in Scotland. Yes, kilts cost money-- your money-- so it is reasonable to request a swatch to make sure you get what you want. But, if what you want is going to be a custom weave, then expect to pay more for your kilt, just as you would pay more for a custom colour paint on a new car.

Benjamin Franklin, John Arbuckle, and Henry Royce have all been cited as the originator of the famous quote:

Quality remains long after price is forgotten.

It doesn't matter who said it first, it is as true today as it was then. You get what you pay for, and if you keep looking you will eventually find someone willing to sell it to you for less, because their product-- be it a latch key, or a kilt-- will be of inferior manufacture or content.

My advice would be to first find the kilt maker you trust, and then select the fabric you can afford. And if you can't afford a shade of tartan that matches your sitting room drapes? Well, life is full of little compromises.

**JSFMACLJR** · 27th July 09, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by mcclainms72

I'm looking for someone who's inexpensive, will sell fabric by the yard and swatches, and has a large seslection, because Maclean of Duart isn't available everywhere.

I've looked at the various sponsors of this site, but was hoping to find one that has mine in the colourway I'm looking for, and charges a little less.

Any other recommendations?

I asked you in an earlier thread if you are a follower of Lochbuie--as the spelling of your surname would indicate--or of Duart. I am sure you know the tartan is different for the Lochbuie MacLaines.

Sandford MacLean