Quote Originally Posted by canawler View Post
Sorry for the highjack but this sort of goes to the whole point of why handsewn kilts are expensive. NOT just anybody can do it. At least not to decent quality standards. It takes natural talent and time to develop those skills.

I find it fustrating to keep reading posts saying that anyone can make a kilt. I know you really believe this is true but I, for one, definitely couldn't make a kilt.

I could afford a sewing machine but have no place to put one and absolutely no idea how to use one. I have literally never sewn a stitch in my life. If I had to sew on a button that had popped off, I wouldn't have a clue where to start. I also don't have the time required to learn how to sew not to mention the time required to sew something as complicated as a kilt. I have read your x-kilt instructions, and while they are written very well, they still work on the assumption that the reader can sew and knows the terminology involved. I don't, so I got lost quickly.

Being very self critical, I tend to be hesitant to spend the time and money on something I know I won't enjoy because I won't be happy with the quality of my own work. Everyone's got different talents and abilities...sewing isn't one of mine. It makes me more appreciative of those, like yourself, who are talented at sewing.
Here's the thing... I didn't know how to drive a car, once, huh? I didn't know how to weld, either...or sail, or do any number of things. But I learned those skills, at least to some degree.

If I learned, you can, too.

Now, whether you have the physical space to store a sewing machine is another question....and a valid one, of course. However, whether you want to learn those sewing skills is different question. Learning the skills takes time, and in large part, I think, masses of time (and doing stuff over and over again) replaces actual skill. A duffer (and when it comes to sewing, I'm a duffer) can get reasonable results by just keeping at it. The questions is, is it worth it to you to invest the time?

I mean, maybe you'd rather go golfing, or watch TV or do metalwork, or hang out with your wife or any number of great things other than learn to sew. That's fair...it's a matter of priorities. You invest your time where you value it. It may not be worth it to you to put in hours and hours and hours of work, just to learn how to do a running stitch and then how to thread a sewing machine when you could be going to work and making money, and then spending that money on a wondrful custom-made kilt.

Hey, I'm not really sewing right now 'cause I'm sailing, and also throwing at Highland Games. It's a priorities thing.

BTW, you can make an absolutely drop-dead traditional kilt without touching a sewing machine. It'll take longer, but you will get there. My first wool kilt was made like that. I'm wearing it right now.