X Marks the Scot - An on-line community of kilt wearers.

   X Marks Partners - (Go to the Partners Dedicated Forums )
USA Kilts website Celtic Croft website Celtic Corner website Houston Kiltmakers

User Tag List

Results 1 to 8 of 8
  1. #1
    Join Date
    6th August 18
    Location
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
    Posts
    326
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)

    The Measure of a Man

    I was thinking that since I suddenly find myself with some extra cash, I'd like to pull the trigger soon on an 8 yard kilt. I know which material I want, etc. And I've narrowed the range of makers down to two. What's got me tripped up now is measurement.

    Coincidentally I was reading this thread this morning about the "towel method" and it reinforced the quandary I now face.

    My kilt-maker options are thus:
    USA Kilts or Angus Harvey

    I am much happier to give my business to USA Kilts because I love their work and they are an X Marks sponsor. However, I would be dependent on spouse-assisted self-measurement. If I went to Angus Harvey (who has a booth at the local Renaissance faire), he can measure me in person, himself.

    I understand the importance of measurements and the pictures clarify that even more. I guess what I really seek here is reassurance that DIYing the measurements and sending them to USA Kilts will result the correct fit and shape, especially since I'm a "gentleman of substance" as they say on these forums.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    7th February 11
    Location
    London, Canada
    Posts
    9,404
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    While I totally agree about Rocky's quality, I'm always in favour of having the measurements taken by the same person who's going to push the needle through the twill.

    Having said that, with COVID doing its thing, in-person measurements have a whole different meaning depending on regulations where you are, so...

    However you do it, use the measurement method required by your kiltmaker. They have so many very different ways of achieving very similar results.
    Rev'd Father Bill White: Retired Parish Priest & Elementary Headmaster. Lover of God, dogs, most people, joy, tradition, humour & clarity. Legion Padre, theologian, teacher, philosopher, linguist, encourager of hearts & souls & a firm believer in dignity, decency, & duty. A proud Canadian Sinclair.

  3. The Following User Says 'Aye' to Father Bill For This Useful Post:


  4. #3
    Join Date
    26th August 07
    Location
    Fort Worth, TX
    Posts
    434
    Mentioned
    4 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    I am also a large lad and have had marvelous results with Rocky and crew. If you follow his measurement guidance you should have no problem.

  5. The Following 2 Users say 'Aye' to Madadh For This Useful Post:


  6. #4
    Join Date
    16th June 15
    Location
    Madison Wisconsin
    Posts
    327
    Mentioned
    4 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    One other option would be to measure with your chosen kiltmaker by Skype. For my first eight yard custom kilt my wife helped during a Skype video call with Barb Tewksbury. The resulting kilt fit great, as have the four others which she has made for me since then.

  7. The Following 2 Users say 'Aye' to Todd Bradshaw For This Useful Post:


  8. #5
    Join Date
    6th August 18
    Location
    Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
    Posts
    326
    Mentioned
    1 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Todd Bradshaw View Post
    One other option would be to measure with your chosen kiltmaker by Skype. For my first eight yard custom kilt my wife helped during a Skype video call with Barb Tewksbury. The resulting kilt fit great, as have the four others which she has made for me since then.
    This is a good idea, neighbor.

  9. #6
    Join Date
    24th January 20
    Location
    Near Grand Rapids, MI, USA
    Posts
    456
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    If you're considering USA Kilts, I'd recommend calling them. Their customer service has been very good in my experience, and I have no doubt they'd be able to walk you through getting the measurements they need using exactly the method they need you to use to measure them properly.

  10. The Following 4 Users say 'Aye' to MichiganKyle For This Useful Post:


  11. #7
    Join Date
    30th November 04
    Location
    Deansboro, NY
    Posts
    3,326
    Mentioned
    5 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quote Originally Posted by Todd Bradshaw View Post
    One other option would be to measure with your chosen kiltmaker by Skype. For my first eight yard custom kilt my wife helped during a Skype video call with Barb Tewksbury. The resulting kilt fit great, as have the four others which she has made for me since then.
    I've rarely made a kilt for which I actually did the measuring. I've Skyped/Zoomed with many customers, and it's simple to do and reassuring to the customer. It also is reassuring for the kiltmaker. I dread the prospect of getting measurements from someone who has not followed my measuring instructions exactly. As several of us have said many times on XMarks, different kiltmakers take and use measurements differently, and if you don't do the measuring the way your kiltmaker wants you to, your kilt won't fit properly. I am always delighted to Skype/Zoom with a customer so that I, too, am reassured that the measurements are done correctly.

    And the last thing I'll say is that it's really difficult to get accurate measurements if you try to measure your own body (particularly kilt length). If your kiltmaker is somewhere else and can't do the measuring, you must enlist a spouse or friend to measure you according to the instructions. And I plead with customers to do that rather than go to a tailor and have them take measurements. My experience is that tailors typically don't use the instructions that I provide because they are so accustomed to taking measurements their own way.
    Kiltmaker, piper, and geologist (one of the few, the proud, with brains for rocks....
    Member, Scottish Tartans Authority
    Geology stuff (mostly) at http://people.hamilton.edu/btewksbu
    The Art of Kiltmaking at http://theartofkiltmaking.com

  12. The Following User Says 'Aye' to Barb T For This Useful Post:


  13. #8
    Join Date
    15th January 19
    Location
    Lake Zurich, Illinois
    Posts
    155
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    With social interaction in stasis, who knows when your local guy will be able to take your measurements. If you have bought from USA Kilts before, then definitely give them a call, you know it's worth it. I don't know if they do Skype call consulting but it can't hurt to ask.
    Have an assistant do your actual measurements. More accurate and just plain easier.

  14. The Following User Says 'Aye' to KnittedReenactor For This Useful Post:


Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

» Log in

User Name:

Password:

Not a member yet?
Register Now!
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.0