How long does it take to make a kilt?

**Farlander** · 1st May 10, 07:14 AM

Originally Posted by bonnie heather

...
I hear that some people can make a hand stitched kilt in only ten hours, but I don't know how that's humanly possible.
...

It does not seem humanly possible! Yet, according to master kilt maker Elsie Stuehmeyer, that was a requirement to become a journeyman kilt maker at Thomas Gordon & Sons. Truly amazing!

**Wompet** · 1st May 10, 03:15 PM

My handsewns have been in the 20-30 hour range as well.
The few machine-sewn kilts I've made took less time, but they didn't have canvas or linings ...

Originally Posted by Farlander

It does not seem humanly possible! Yet, according to master kilt maker Elsie Stuehmeyer, that was a requirement to become a journeyman kilt maker at Thomas Gordon & Sons. Truly amazing!

When she said that, did you get the image of the Kilting Gnome and her ilk sequestered in a Glasgow shop, surrounded by bolts of tartan that were being woven by Rumpelstiltskin in the corner?

Or was that just me?

**Barb T** · 1st May 10, 04:23 PM

It takes Elsie 18-20 hours to make a kilt (at least that's what she's always told me). I'm typically in the 20-24 hours range. To be honest, if someone is actually completing a kilt from start to finish in 10 hours, he/she is not making a kilt the way that Elsie and I do.

**Dixiecat** · 2nd May 10, 10:24 AM

I once chatted with the kiltmaker that was working at a local Scottish regalia store. He had been in the UK forces making kilts. He said it was common to get an order just before the end of the day and deliver it the next morning. It meant working all night. He worked by pleating to the stripe and pinning first.