Major Jonseing -- and longish post

[Aussie_Don]

This is one of those "learning experiences" -- unfortunately, as with
many of them it is turning a bit painful.

(This is going to include a few examples of my ignorance -- shared in the
hope that they may save someone else from a similar mistake.)

The first and most important point about all of the following is that the
folks at Buy-a-Kilt.com (AKA MacDonald Sporrans) are not at fault in this.
They and especially Rachel, have been brilliant throughout.

Back in June (the 27th to be exact) I ordered my first 8yd kilt. I'd read the
MacGregor (Clan Gregor) web page and it seemed clear to me that
MacGregor tartan was *only* MacGregor modern. (well I was wrong, but
more on that later)

So, the order for my first APC (not quite a "tank" ) was in the works.
Shortly after this I discovered X-Marks and started asking annoying newby
questions. I quickly was supplied with a picture of "the MacGregor" wearing
MacGregor ancient tartan, as was his lady wife. (Awww bugger!! What I had
really wanted was MacGregor Ancient, but I'd mis-read the clan page and
thought that it was not accepted.) But the order was in -- I figured that I
was committed.

Then I got an email that the tartan that I'd ordered was unavailable.

Ahh!, A chance to sort things out -- woo hoo!

But then I started to discover some of the realities of tartan production.

1) It's an artisan industry (If in doubt -- refer to this rule)

2) They take the last two full weeks in July off -- the factories shut
down

3) If yours is not a particularly common tartan, there can be some waiting
involved

So, now the kilt that I had hoped to have by early September is looking
like "maybe mid-October"

Patience- Don, patience

But, the good news is that I will be getting what what I really want -- just
a bit late.

And, to conclude, here's a tribute to the people who actually weave the
tartans that we love.

Prospect, Providence, Perseverance by Cockersdale

I first heard this at the Aussie National Folk Festival a few years back -- It's
may ambition to learn it well enough to sing it a'capella

-Don

[sailortats]

Don. I think you will find that the wait for your kilt is fairly normal for a made to measure kilt. I have just ordered a new kilt myself and do not expect to receive it until sometime in November or even early December. It all depends on where you stand in the queue and unfortunately I know that I am about #12 in my queue.
If you think the jonesing is hard now just wait until the last 2 or 3 weeks. It becomes unbearable then. But in the end it will be well worth the wait.
I have dealt with buy-a-kilt.com several times and I know they will send you your kilt just as soon as is humanly possible. They are an excellent company to deal with.

[bluebonnet]

I recall when I was dancing that the time from being measured for the kilt and actually getting it was a very long time. I remember the kilt maker always asking for an extra growth measurement because of the time it took to make one. I do hope you don't have too long to wait and once your kilt arrives you enjoy it.

[OC Richard]

I remember the kilt maker always asking for an extra growth measurement because of the time it took to make one.

It's been annoying actually, that the last two kilts I had made were made a couple inches bigger than I specified and I had to move the buckles before I could wear them.

[creagdhubh]

Of course, if you opt to have a kilt made by one of our forum's own resident kilt-makers, who are simply amazing by the way, your wait time (and jonesing) may significantly be much less. Just saying.

8-Yard, Heavyweight kilt in the Macpherson Reproduction Colours by D.C. Dalgliesh; 2 brown leather straps with brass buckles, no belt loops, double fringe, pleated to the sett and expertly made by Barbara Tewksbury of New York.


Cheers,

[Riverkilt]

Don't know if its an option in Australia - but you'll have much better results if you deal directly with a quality kiltmaker, rather than through a middleman who can "get it for you." I have one kilt made by a nameless, faceless kiltmaker filtered through a middleman - but only because it was sewn to the wrong size for the buyer and the wrong size happened to be my size and the middleman wanted to sell it at a well reduced price.

Otherwise I deal direct with kiltmakers....full time kiltmakers who devote their full work time to kiltmaking. The orders in front of me are filled faster so my kilts get sewn up sooner. Biggest wait is often for fabric to be shipped in from Scotland or for fabric to be custom woven then shipped in from Scotland. I've never waited more than three months - often less - for a hand sewn kilt from my full time kiltmaker....and I expect to wait that three months when I place the order.

If its just you talking directly to the craftsman who's going to sew up your kilt there is much much less chance that you'll have confusion over sizes and tartans or God forbid delivery deadlines for that kilted wedding. If you can visit the kiltmaker and have them measure you for a kilt that's best of all.

And quality kiltmakers are all well versed in working with the mills in Scotland and can find you the exact tartan you want - or have it woven - just like the middleman. So why pay someone else to do the work that you can easily do yourself and your kiltmaker will happily do for you as part of the total cost?

Gotta be kiltmakers in Australia you can contact direct. If not, or none to your satisfaction, I think any overseas kiltmaker would be happy to work with you too. No clue on import/export costs though.

Your mileage may vary - but working direct has been a smooth process for me through over a dozen hand sewn kilts. Higher quality, faster service, lower cost....seems to violate the rule of you can have any two of price, quality, or service....maybe you can have all three.

[WillowEstate]

Don't know if its an option in Australia - but you'll have much better results if you deal directly with a quality kiltmaker, rather than through a middleman who can "get it for you."

Gotta be kiltmakers in Australia you can contact direct.

I'd agree with that and as has been mentioned on another thread, Doug and Karen at All Things Tartan / St. Kilda Retail near Ipswich, QLD would meet those objectives - really nice people to deal with and Karen's work is first class.