Failed Efforts to Achieve an Official Master Kiltmaker Qualification

**xman** · 19th October 10, 09:27 AM

There are two kinds of people in the world and ne'er the twain shall meet.
(Let's see if I can get this done in just four more feet.)

There are those that opine that one must fight alone for his way,
That each is on their own and 'Dog Eat Dog' is the only order of the day.

And then there are we who are sociable and smart.
Stronger together than tearing each other apart.

X

**Tartan Hiker** · 19th October 10, 12:20 PM

I agree with Matt, Barb, et al., and furthermore the statement that a "master" kiltmaker must be able to make a kilt in 8 hours leads me to suspect some serious delusions.

Quote from Barb in another thread:

"I can stitch 5-6 pleats an hour by hand."

That means that working at optimum speed she can stitch 30 pleats in 5 hours. This leaves only three hours (of the 8 hour goal) for marking the aprons, finishing the apron edges, finishing the buttonhole, mounting the waistband, basting the pleats, pressing the pleats, unbasting all the random bits that need to be basted before pressing, installing the stabilizer, installing the canvas, installing the lining, installing the straps...

**Jordan** · 19th October 10, 02:52 PM

Personaly I would rather my kilt maker take aslong as s/he need rather than rush it in 8 hours.

Keith is just up the road from me (about 10 min) and I have neved heard of the school exept on here. And Master kilt maker? My A**e!

Just my tuppence

**Alan H** · 21st October 10, 02:12 PM

Make a full-on, military box pleat kilt, entirely by hand in eight hours?

Quick, I need oxygen, I'm laughing too hard.

**Whidbey78** · 21st October 10, 04:43 PM

I can still count the kilts I've made on my hands(and none of them are exactly "traditional" or in tartan), so I'm very much a novice, but I have to agree with Matt and Barb.

Frankly, I don't care if there are any "Master Kiltmakers" out there, as long as there are still competent ones who can turn out a good product(in as many hours as it takes). The art is a long way from dead, and it really is an art. The skills, along with the history and tradition, will keep going even if there are no more who bear the title of "Master."

Remember in "The Karate Kid" when Daniel asked Mr. Miagi about Blackbelts? Mr. Miagi told him that belts are for holding your pants up. Mr. Miagi knew his stuff and passed it on to Daniel...no titles, belts, formal education, certificates, ceremonies or other BS. It seems to me Daniel won...and Mr. Miagi beat the "Master" from Cobra Kai. That's all that mattered in the end.

Just my $.02 USD.

**starbkjrus** · 21st October 10, 07:28 PM

I'm sorry Ron but I have to wonder at the wisdom of actually posting this here. It's pretty obvious that the source is prejudiced / bogus and not really worth paying attention to.

You should know better.

Sorry, just my two cents worth...

**Riverkilt** · 21st October 10, 07:31 PM

Ummm. Did anyone happen to notice that the first word of the title is "Failed?"

**mbhandy** · 21st October 10, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by BroosterB1

To be a Master is to teach the way; it is not something to be clutched tight to the bosom and never shared but rather shared willingly with those who seek the knowledge, and willing to walk the path.

I would have to agree.
To be a teacher does not make one a Failed Master, either.

MrBill

**Black Watch Kilt maker** · 19th November 10, 02:35 AM

I served my apprenticeship in the black watch and can make and cut patterns for tartan trousers and trews, gaiters, spats etc and have had apprentice’s accepted in to the Guild of Master Craftsman. But I can’t make a kilt in 8 hours . I take great pride in my work if it takes 16 hours to make a kilt so be it. I am not about to start timing myself as it serves no purpose. Its all about the quality. It took 4 years to paint the Sistine Chapel, my mates a painter and decorator he reckons he could do it in a week. That Michelangelo was rubbish.
Regards
Gary