Quote Originally Posted by James MacMillan View Post
This never ceases to trouble me. With some kilt makers, you have to go to extreme lengths to get to understand what the length of the finished product is going to be.

Barb’s comment – and we all agree that she is a very accomplished kilt maker, seems to say, on one level, that she takes the customers submitted length and then adds another two inches.

I know that I want my finished length of my personal kilts to be 23 1/2 inches long. From the very top edge to the very bottom edge. I arrived at this measurement by measureing the overall length of my kilts that fit me best. That doesn’t mean that I can’t wear a kilt that is a little bit longer or a little bit shorter. But when wearing these longer or shorter kilts, they must be adjusted to ensure that the bottom hem is at the right place. That is one very important location.

Advise to all new kilt buyers who are going to have to order a kilt via mail or e-mail or telephone; Make sure that both you and your kilt maker understand the terms that are being used. Go to great lengths to ensure that both of you understand.

Mis-understandings at the start could lead to a kilt that is two inches too long or two inches too short.

It should also be noted that the length of the fell is very different with different people. A kilt maker who sews all the fells to one measurement, will not have good fit for all people.
That's why we always tell people to use the measuring instructions on EACH KILTMAKER'S site... different makers do things differently and may need different measurements. Heck, look at Steve Ashton's (FK's) measureing instructions... he gives you a video!