Setting up false expectations

**crboltz** · 25th July 09, 08:31 AM

With the exceptions of the kilts I bought when I bought the PCs for our wedding (I made all the kilts for the wedding myself), my "kilt money" doesn't come from my 9 to 5 job. Luckily (for me), I have the skills that allow me to do some freelance work every once in a while (and now that I have a "company" that represents me, I'm getting more extra offers). My money from my freelance work goes to kilts. That way, I don't impact the family finances with my hobby. (at the moment, I have the steady income (with benefits) job -- so my salary is what we live off of). I really want a second PC (or similar kilt jacket), but I typically want a new kilt more. I am in negotiations for another "freelance gig" and if the money comes through quickly, I might buy a new jacket (although I really want an alpha kilt).

Anyway, to the new folks -- you don't need a ton of money, nor do you need a made to measure tank to get started. The Still waters and Frugle kilts are a great start (and that is what most of mine are). I save my two (soon to be three) made to measures for special events (1 is a tank, one is a great one from Rocky, and the third is my forth coming Punk Alt-kilt).

If you really want a lot of kilts for a lower price -- learn to make them. I decided I'm never going to make a tartan kilt again (but after making 6 for the wedding -- I never want to sew any fabric with any sort of stripe again!). I have a casual kilt I'm working on, that i haven't touched in about a year -- maybe in this new attempt to show that we aren't rich I need to get back to it.

I think my sewing machine is calling!

Chris.

**MMorgan** · 25th July 09, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by crboltz

If you really want a lot of kilts for a lower price -- learn to make them. I decided I'm never going to make a tartan kilt again (but after making 6 for the wedding -- I never want to sew any fabric with any sort of stripe again!). I have a casual kilt I'm working on, that i haven't touched in about a year -- maybe in this new attempt to show that we aren't rich I need to get back to it.

I think my sewing machine is calling!

Chris.

I am poor... (read single dad with two little boys that live with me...) AND I am currently unemployed.... for 60 bucks I was able to go out and get enough material (4 yardsx60 wide each of black and of green poly/cotton canvas and thread and pins etc etc) to do 4 kilts found me a NICE old sewing machine at a garage sale for 10 bucks and away I went....

So yea if your not afraid to jump in and do it yourself, you can have fun(atleast I have fun making new things and learing new skills) and not run yourself more into the poor house then you already are....

Now just to find a decent sporran LOL

**Dall_Piobaire** · 25th July 09, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by MMorgan

I am poor... (read single dad with two little boys that live with me...) AND I am currently unemployed.... for 60 bucks I was able to go out and get enough material (4 yardsx60 wide each of black and of green poly/cotton canvas and thread and pins etc etc) to do 4 kilts found me a NICE old sewing machine at a garage sale for 10 bucks and away I went....

So yea if your not afraid to jump in and do it yourself, you can have fun(atleast I have fun making new things and learing new skills) and not run yourself more into the poor house then you already are....

Now just to find a decent sporran LOL

I am also a single dad, though my two teens live with their mom, they are often with me and my shild support always comes first. It takes a huge budget just to feed my son!

I had to leave my job several years ago, due to my vision, and get by best I can. I returned to piping out of love, but realized it could become a, though small, source of income. Despite what some talking heads would have you believe, being on desability is not fun at all, and the child support I pay comes out of that. The problem, as with any entreprenureal enterprise, is it takes money to make money! People in the market to hire a piper expect a certain look, and that look is not cheap, and it has to offer variation.

Now, all that dribble aside, like many other's here I am sure, I have a champaign appetite, but a bottled water budget! That said, I have never once felt that anyone here pushed anything, or tried to make it seem as though your status depended on what you wore and how much it costs. I think most have always tried to offer help as far as finding bang for the buck.

We have become used to the cheap, mass maufactured clothing that we can buy at Khols or Target. Good, quality craftsmanship is worth it weight in gold, tends to be unique, lasts longer, and carries with it the unique energy of the craftsman, as well as it's owner.

Now, I don't need forty gazillion kilts, but there are things I do need, and want, that cost more and I have to swallow really hard. I just do what I can when I can. What's worth having is what is worth waiting for! I will always try to support those such as Matt, or Cavscout, or tyger, to name just a few. They, and the other independent folks contribute something special, and in this day and time, I am sure it is a struggle for them as well.

Heck, most of the cost of the kilt is the material, think about what the kiltmaker contributes in relationship to what they get for what they do!

JMHO
Scott

**Nighthawk** · 25th July 09, 11:41 AM

I have to say, I agree with you, Matt. When I started wearing kilts casually, I got on this board and got a little discouraged- at first- with all the expensive formal acoutrements that everyone else seemed to have. And then I realized that:

A) I didn't need 10 nice formal outfits- just one.

B) That I have always done things my own d**ned way, so why should casual kilt wearing be any different?

The way I see things, not everyone is fiercely independent as I, so yes, it could be a little discouraging for new kilt wearers. This is a good thread and should be a sticky I think. Mods?

**Rob Wright** · 25th July 09, 12:59 PM

Great post.

After I retired and went back to school my income fell drastically. I spent two and a half years saving up the money for a new Kathy Lare hand sewn and the accessories I've purchased over the last several months. Patience does indeed help, though looking at pics on this board can be a bit maddening at times.

In this day and age of on demand gratification, the concept of waiting is a bit hard to get a handle on sometimes.

Rob

**tyger** · 25th July 09, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by Dall_Piobaire

Heck, most of the cost of the kilt is the material, think about what the kiltmaker contributes in relationship to what they get for what they do!

Amen.

And some days, when my fingers are sore, and the sweat is dripping off my nose onto the piece of metal that I have burned myself on twice, I can stop, and wonder. But, when you see that picture: it looks good, really makes one feel good, and you know it is one-of-a-kind, and it is the kind of thing that will last and last......and somebody will be wearing it long after I have stopped posting on this forum.

In some cases, I am exchanging my metalwork for other peoples needlework. That exchange and barter system is as old as the hills, and in that way I will obtain my first hand-stitched kilt.

**Marshal Moroni** · 25th July 09, 12:54 PM

This is a great post and a tribute to the variety of good folks on our forum and the versatility of the Kilt!

I like tartan kilts (keep thinking about a solid, soon as I loos some more weight we'll see...) and I like variety. All of my kilts (8) are of the less expensive variety (FC and SWK). Would I like a Tank, of course. But, lose weight, save money, etc. For now its important, to me, that I'm comfortable, which means keeping out of trousers as much as possible.

We need to to be welcoming and encouraging to all potential kilt wearers. Something I think that we are as a group.

This is a great forum, I sure am glad to have found it!

Cheers to all,

Marshal Moroni