Hmm... interesting suggestion...

**BLAZN** · 15th April 06, 05:27 PM

So, today, the bride and I had a little "Moving Sale" to try to off load some stuff before moving to Maine. Our neighbor decided to grace us with her company (she's actually a very nice lady, and my barber

, so the company was quite welcome).

I decided to dress like this:

After getting the ever popular "Nice skirt" comments that my neighbor likes to rouse me with, out of nowhere the following conversation happens:

Her: "You're getting pretty good at making kilts." Me:"Thanks. I think I still need practice." Her: "That one turned out quite nicely. The stitching is even straight." (I'm in the infancy of knowing how to use a sewing machine and to kilting, so my stitches oft times are jagged lines.

)
Me: "Thanks. I still need to practice."
shortening the post here... we went on discussing pleating to the sett and to the stripe. We discussed how this was the first kilt I made where I paid attention to how the pleats affected the pattern. She expressed how nicely it turned out again, especially for me not being very experianced. Then...
Her: "So, why don't you go into business?" Me: "What do you mean?"
Her: "Make 'em and sell 'em." Me: "Kilts?!?" Her: "Yeah. You could probably make a fair amount of money. You could use that money on your Beamer (I'm planning to buy a BMW to replace my 1988 Caprice cop car, when I get to Maine) and for some really high end kilts for yourself." It turns out that she was under the impression that I could just turn out cookie cutter kilts and sell them like jeans. I explained the way I make them requires hip, waist, and length measurements. I also pointed out that the custom kilt market as far as I know it is pretty well saturated with FAR better kilters than myself. She simply responded with "Get a little more practice, and go into business anyway. Worst case, you lose a little money on fabric or what not. If you go bust... use the fabric for your own kilts!"

So... anyone care to share an opinion on this?

**ronstew** · 15th April 06, 06:27 PM

Check this thread.

**Kilted KT** · 15th April 06, 11:30 PM

Go with what you feel is right. Be aware that your market is extremely picky about their kilts, and until you establish yourself as a quality kiltmaker, you will need to be very cautious about how much you put into this venture. It is a fantastic goal, and I applaud you for considering it, just make make sure you are able to earn what you feel your time and effort are worth. 50 hours on a $200 kilt isn't a whole lot of money.

on a brighter note, let us know when you finish your first kilt for sale, so we can all take check it out and fight over it!

**Phil Wright** · 16th April 06, 06:47 AM

and don't forget the normal 'apprentice' time for becoming a kilt maker..... There must be a reason! As they say (and you recognise), practise makes perfect.

Glad you're enjoying the challenge though, and your kilts Blazn.
Phil

**BLAZN** · 17th April 06, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by Phil Wright

and don't forget the normal 'apprentice' time for becoming a kilt maker..... There must be a reason! As they say (and you recognise), practise makes perfect.

Hmm... No idea who I'd apprentice under, but I definately will get practice. I've something like 15 different materials I'd like to try my hands at. For every 5.5yds of 60" material, I can bang out 2 kilts. That'd sit me at 30, and with Barb's book on the way, I can only get better!

Originally Posted by Phil Wright

Glad you're enjoying the challenge though, and your kilts Blazn.

Definately up to the challenge. I dig kilts, and I dig the reaction people give me when they find out I made what I'm wearing!

**michael steinrok** · 17th April 06, 10:40 PM

Keep up the good work. Perhaps, soon you can make them full time! GOOD LUCK!

**BLAZN** · 18th April 06, 03:16 AM

Originally Posted by michael steinrok

Keep up the good work. Perhaps, soon you can make them full time! GOOD LUCK!

I won't be making kilts full time any time soon... I still have 11 years left in the Navy.

**Robin** · 18th April 06, 03:35 AM

Good quality...a fair price...and you're in business.

**BLAZN** · 18th April 06, 03:43 AM

Originally Posted by Robin

Good quality...a fair price...and you're in business.

I hope to turn out both. I'll be making my kilts using a machine, so I won't need to "pay myself" as much due to less time spent. My camo "psuedo-trad" took me about 10 hours to make. The other kilt, seen in the very first post to this thread, was made in about 14 hours... the pleating was a bigger job thanks to actually watching the pattern.
I'm really hoping Barb's book can improve on my kilts. I understand that her book is written for a more hand worked kilt, but I'm certain my wife can help me translate hand worked stitches over to the machine.

One thing I am planning to do is a hidden back pocket, very similar to what Union Kilts has done. I don't intend to have flaps though. I was also thinking of a built in sporran. Not entirely sure how that would go over, though.

The thing is... I'm not really sure what I could do to my kilts that would set them apart from any others... outside of making them to a high quality standard.

**davedove** · 18th April 06, 04:56 AM

Originally Posted by BLAZN

I won't be making kilts full time any time soon... I still have 11 years left in the Navy.

Sounds like you're in for the long haul. Sorry I don't know the equivalent Navy term, but the Army word is "Hooah!!" You've got my admiration and respect, and as a DoD civilian, I've got your back.