The Future of Traditional Kiltmaker's

[Bob C]

I think the new kilts are neither a boon nor bane to the trad kiltmakers.

There will always be people like me, and so many of you, who want the real deal. My eight yards of tartan, specially woven in Scotland and sewn into a kilt by an old Scottish lady with over 50 years of experience in kiltmaking, is my most prized physical possession. It was worth the admittedly high price, at least to me.

On the other hand, you have the guys who purchase the cheaper casual kilts. It's unlikely that most of them would ever spend the bucks for the traditionals, but the new kilts let them enjoy kilting, too.

I've been thinking of adding a casual kilt to my closet, as some of you know from another thread. That decision does not affect my kiltmaker, as I was not going to buy a second traditional, anyway.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

If I had not CONSTANTLY heard from the guys in this region that they are sick and tired of kilts that lose their stitch-lines, wear thin, and have the look of immitation crud... I would not have taken the time to become educated by certified, hand-sewn masters. There will ALWAYS be people who prefer the look, feel and quality of a truly skill-made kilt. I have yet to see ONE hand-made kilt that was crafted by a trained kilt maker that has wandering pleats, horridly puckering aprons, and visible tapering lines in the tartan.

Beyond that... who's got the talent or knowledge to repair or alter kilts? TRUST ME... it's a thriving venture!!!;-) Between OLD kilts that need re-stitching, improperly constructed kilts, and alterations for the sake of "Thanksgiving Syndrome", there's a HUGE need for the knowledge.

All the casual kilt makers in the world are not going to dent the fact that a certified and trained kilt maker produces a product that will always be appreciated. Her callouses (which I'm just now starting to get) are not lost.

[GMan]

I like wearing both, and definetly want more of both. It is nice to dress up while kilted so the traditional is a given for such events, but for every day a casual is the way to go. They both are very near and dear to my heart.

[Riverkilt]

So just saw in the Utilikilts Newsletter that they'll have a booth at the Arizona Highlands Celtic Festival in Flagstaff. And, so will my traditional kilt maker Kathy Lare.

So have to decide whether to wear my traditional tank in my clan tartan or a kilt from my UK collection (now up to 11).

Probably gonna wear my hand sewn traditional since it there are so few chances to wear it and I want Kathy to see how the measurements on my first hand sewn came out post "Thanksgiving Syndrome" before she sews up hand sewn number two, hopefully, later this month.

And of course, as a member of the Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society I wanna "strut my stuff"....or fly my "gang colors."

Ron

[Scotus]

I'm still stuck on Matt's comment about people not wanting to mess up their traditional kilt! That's too bad that some people feel that a wool kilt can't be worn for setting up, taking down, hiking, etc. Wool kilts are made for wearing in all conditions. Oh, well.... <sigh>.

[Bob C]

I'm still stuck on Matt's comment about people not wanting to mess up their traditional kilt! That's too bad that some people feel that a wool kilt can't be worn for setting up, taking down, hiking, etc. Wool kilts are made for wearing in all conditions. Oh, well.... <sigh>.

I think we're just hesitant to engage in activities that might damage them.

[Christopher]

I started with a traditional heavy weight kilt and then went to a contemporary kilt for the casual option and promptly replaced it with another lighter weight traditional kilt. The contemporary experience was enought to convince me that traditional kilts are a good investment.

[Magnus Sporrano]

I'm still stuck on Matt's comment about people not wanting to mess up their traditional kilt! That's too bad that some people feel that a wool kilt can't be worn for setting up, taking down, hiking, etc. Wool kilts are made for wearing in all conditions. Oh, well.... <sigh>.

Maybe so, but wool is also not very stain resistant, and cleaning can be costly.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

I'm still stuck on Matt's comment about people not wanting to mess up their traditional kilt! That's too bad that some people feel that a wool kilt can't be worn for setting up, taking down, hiking, etc. Wool kilts are made for wearing in all conditions. Oh, well.... <sigh>.

Ain't THAT the truth?!!!

A nice 11 or 9.5 ounce wool kilt is just as (if not more) comfortable than some of the other fabrics out there. Wool breathes... period.

As for the maintenance, what's the problem with plopping a thinner wool kilt in the washer... on the gentle cycle... with Woolite? I've done it MANY times! You just don't dry the thing in a dryer! You HANG DRY it.

My "tanks" are all done with the home dry-cleaning system when they're spotty, and professionally dry-cleaned when they've been in a smoke-filled pub. I just ask that they DO NOT press it. I think I can do that for the longevity of the pleats.

This pure, unadulterated BS about wool kilts not being easy to maintain has gone on long enough. Can you get the stains out as easily as other fabrics? Nope... but then how often is that really a problem?

I would put a solid black wool kilt in a lighter weight up against ANYTHING out there for comfort, ease of sewing PROPERLY, ease of maintenance and durability. Think about it for a while.

[Scotus]

Thank you, Jimmy. I agree totally with everything you have written in the last post! A wool kilt is made to be worn in all conditions, weather, work, etc. A kilt is a garment made for wear and tear.