Bernina makes good stuff. so does Husqvarna...yes, the same company that makes motorcycles.

Hers' the thing, you don't need a $700 sewing machine to make an X-kilt. If you WANT a $700 sewing machine, then go for it.

If it were me and I was goinna drop those kind of bucks on a sewing machine, this is what I'd get... the Ultrafeed LSZ-1 Walking Foot Sewing Machine... $800.

http://www.sailrite.com/Sailrite-Ult...Sewing-Machine

All it does is straight stitch and zig-zag. But it has a walking foot... a DREAM for stitching up sailcloth and heavy canvas, and it has a brutal amount of power. Five - six layers of canvas in a canvas kilt waistband?...this machine will laugh at that. It also will happily sew leather.

....but that's a lot of money. you can make two-three X-kilts from a low-end singer from JoAnne's that will cost you $175, or from a used machine off of ebay. Check your local areas Craigslist, too.