The OUTRAGEOUS Price of kilts!

[ccga3359]

My kilt makers work for a pittance, It is the honour of making my kilts that drives them.

[Doc]

Thanks for that Alan, I am a kiltmaker also, although I don't like it as a job because I can't support my family on just kilts, I have to contract sew and work part time in a bicycle shop, both jobs average about 10.00 hr gross. I can't afford a web site, advertising, etc. on those wages. I count on word of mouth. I also deal with some peaple who would like the order and then carp at the price. My prices are very competitive with most other kilt makers. If you want If you want top quality at a buget price, find some material on sale, spend 4.00 on needles and thread and make it your self! If you haven't noticed these same kilt makers offer a ton of free help to those on this board who ask, and that is time not sewing. They don't have to do that. Alan dos not have to spend 30-60 hrs writing his instructions, Steve, Rocky, Mat, Barb etc don't have to help at all but they do, but at what cost, time away from sewing, time away from family. So thats my .02. If you happen to see a Lemurian Kasual Kilts, it's one of mine. And thats why you wount see a lot of them.

[Weasel Mender]

As a craftsman (Blacksmith) I understand what love of the work is all about. we have a saying:
"Only 2 blacksmiths ever went to he** one hit cold metal the other one didn't charge enough"It is my belief that many kilt makers are in the same danger as the second smith...What I am saying is that I will always be willing to pay a quality price for a quality product!

[emolas]

Well put Alan.
When I first began my foray into kilts, I was initially shocked at the price of a good kilt. However, I never thought that the kiltmaker was 'ripping people off' because I researched the amounts and prices of the fabric involved. Until I started reading Barb's book, I wasn't fully aware of the TIME involved even though I kinda figured it would take a while. I agree that a good kilt is an investment and worth the money spent.

[morrison]

Now possibly for a coup de grace, let's not forget the acumen acquired over the repetitive cycle of kilt making. The closer ties to suppliers, gained through long time business dealings. Then there is the expanded knowledge and tricks and jigs learned, techniques learned and applied that others have not yet learned. The makers also attend kiltmaking and sewing seminars and classes to continually upgrade their skills in the craft. I'd suggest that those schoolings aren't always free! I know it aint rocket science, but I don't sew kilts. So, it rocket science to me.
I need a brain surgeon.
:food-smiley-002:

[David Dalglish]

You have got to pay for quality. If you want to own a hand made kilt, you pay the price. I love them.

[Jerry]

Alan, good analysis. However, I read the comment about "kiltmakers ripping us off" a little differently. I thought that it was in reference to those few companies out there who have very poor customer service, who use other companies pics for advertising, charge nearly the same price and then provide an inferior product that is nowhere near to being on time. As for the economics of Kiltmaking and how difficult it is for these craftsmen to make a living at it, we have to look no further than at one of our former members, that had to close his company, Pittsburgh Kilts, in order to make a living and support his family.

[arrogcow]

In response to the idea that worsted wool has to be that expensive, I did a quick google search. I have been able to find non tartan suiting worsted wool (10-11 oz) for as little as $0.88 (that's 88 cents) per yard for wholesale prices, and the average price is about $10-15 retail. Yes setting up a complicated sett is more difficult than a solid (though I found non tartan plaid at these prices), but really 4-6 times harder? And yes some tartans are only woven in small, special order batches, but the 10-12 common tartans (BW, Royal Stewart etc.) have no excuse for the price you have to pay for them.

Again there are many people I have talked to that want kilts, but can't get around the price (and seem less interested in acrylic or PV for what ever reason). A significant price reduction due to fabric would get many more people into kilts causing more fabric to be needed.

Adam

[Perldog007]

I am in full agreement Alan. When I ordered from Steve at FK I thought I was getting a bargain for quality work. Especially considering Steve's engineering and military background.

Now that I have sat down and tried to assemble a kilt, I think the price is a steal. Sure it is alot of money for a guy who who is basically employed as a box lifter and hurler of ephitats, but I could go back to being the perldog (web coder) if I was consumed with desire for the cash.

Almost anybody could find a way to make more scratch if that was their obsession.

I think we need more kiltmakers, and more kilted folk to at least attempt to roll their own so we can appreciate them. After my disaster with a UK, this kilted lunatic will do all he can to support kiltmakers.

Also we have to be thankfull to the SWKs' and UKs' of the world. They do put people in kilts, and that is what it is all about. But Kiltmakers are a treasure.

There are other garments if you can't stand the price. But only a kilt gives you the kilted experience. And only a kiltmaker can give you the best experience.

I am saving for the day when I can order my tank in my family tartan ( a special run of course) . By then I may consider hand sewing it myself. If I do have it made, I will not complain about paying a quality price for a quality product.

[cavscout]

A few weeks back I went to a folk museum and got to see a lady setting up a manual loom to weave some cloth for a solid color garment. The time involved was incredible. She said the setup is the longest most tedious part of the entire process. To make this more economical, they have to setup the loom to be ready to weave several different projects one right after the other. This means that my Fraser Hunting tartan is loaded on to a loom after a order of MacDonald Dress and just before an order of Wallace. Then the loom can run from one order right into the next. Each string from the previous order is manually tied to a string in the following order and then wound around a spool (magazine) to be weaved as the spool is undone. I imagine this same manual process still continues today even though the shuttle is automated. There is still no way to simplify the time consuming and critical part of the setup.