Freedom Kilts - what a great shop

**vmac3205** · 1st April 09, 07:29 PM

Here are the photos from our trip to Freedom Kilts.

**Kiltman** · 1st April 09, 08:55 PM

An absolutely great place to visit.

**Panache** · 2nd April 09, 06:30 AM

Thread moved to "Freedom Kilts" forum

Cheers

Jamie

**pdcorlis** · 2nd April 09, 07:16 AM

Just don't get between Steve and the coffee pot...

**Colonel MacNeal** · 3rd April 09, 10:10 PM

The "chocolate chip" kilt looks mighty tasty. Like it much better than the "coffee stain" pattern.

**Old Hippie** · 21st April 09, 02:04 PM

I got my own chance to visit Steve last week while in Victoria. I had the day free so I walked up from the Empress (OK, it's only a mile and a half or 3 kilometres...). Got some thumbs up and one shout out from a pretty lady driving a Volvo, so the decision to go kilted was, as always, sound.

When I arrived the Wizard was conjuring in his workshop. "Oh, there you are," he said. I had phoned ahead the day before, so he had already put the pot on. We immediately fell into conversation. He answered some questions for me, including a couple of points of correction on matters about which I didn't know I should have questions. :mrgreen:

As I was wearing a UK Workman, he asked me to point out what I liked and what I don't like. Mainly: I don't like cargo pockets in back (never use them) and the aprons are too skinny for a guy who lives in a windy climate. That led to the first point of correction.

I always assumed that the "kilt pin" was used to pin the aprons together in windy conditions or at other times when modesty might be compromised. "You've just broken Rule Number One," said the Wizard. I have installed an extra snap on the Workman to allow the aprons to be snapped together, because our winds here would otherwise allow one to "see France" if it were there to be seen.

My other kilt at present is a UK Mocker, and I have a clan kilt pin that I have used in the past to hold things together. It's pretty light, though. Breaking Rule One, and being corrected, led to the penitential purchase of an XMarks pin, which is massy enough to do the trick and will be worn properly. The real fix, of course is to ask the Wizard to make me another kilt. We're workin' on that.

I was looking for some new kilt hose, having only two pairs -- one cream and one black. I added brown, green, and oatmeal to my collection so there's a whole workweek of hose. I also picked up extra garters and a set of green felt flashes and a set of red twill flashes -- the latter run up by the Wizard while I waited.

All in all it was the most absolutely enjoyable day I've ever spent in Victoria. I arrived on his doorstep around 9:30 a.m. and it was past 4:00 p.m. by the time we ran out of conversation and I headed back out. I kept apologizing for monopolizing his time -- but he didn't seem to mind, and in fact several other customers came and went while I was there and we'd just pause so he could work with them and then pick right up where we left off.

I also got introduced to a young lady named Dave who sews kilts. You can ask him to tell you the story in person. The coffee is great, the conversation warm, the kilts cool, and the man himself is an inspiration.

:ootd:

**KFCarter** · 21st April 09, 03:11 PM

A man whose passions are kilts, coffee and conversation? If you tell me that he rides a Dutch bicycle to work, then I'll have to assume we're related!

I hope I get a chance to find out first hand one day but it's a long hike from Savannah.

**The Wizard of BC** · 21st April 09, 04:40 PM

Well, I don't have a Dutch Bicycle but would a Long Wheel Base, Under-Seat Steering "Infinity" Recumbent do?

I almost bought a Peer Gynt when I was in The Netherlands but never seemed to get around to it.

**BruceBC** · 21st April 09, 04:49 PM

Indeed..a great shop.

**KFCarter** · 21st April 09, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

Well, I don't have a Dutch Bicycle but would a Long Wheel Base, Under-Seat Steering "Infinity" Recumbent do?

I almost bought a Peer Gynt when I was in The Netherlands but never seemed to get around to it.

Well, that seals it! Now I have no choice but to figure out a way to make it up to BC (and work a Freedom Kilt into the travel budget!).

BTW, if you ever do get a hankering for a Dutch bike there are two excellent dealers near you. Dutch Bike Seattle (dutchbikeseattle.com) and one in Vancouver, Rain City Bikes (raincitybikes.com). Lots of great work cycles, box bikes and commuter bikes.

best
Ken