Kilt order wait time! :?

[flyrod6057]

I ordered my 16oz MacLean at the beginning of July (from the shop in Portland) with the understanding that it would be 8-12 weeks before delivery. At the 8 week mark, I began calling to check the status of the kilt and was given numerous reassurances that it would be on time. Then...at the 10 week mark, I received a call that the 16oz MacLean tartan was not in stock, and that Locharron wouldn't have any until late November. (Why in the hell would a kiltmaker wait ten weeks to say, "OH! By the way...your tartan isn't available, and I didn't have any time in my schedule to check with the mill! Sorry!" ) So...I changed mills. Marton was out, too, but they were going to have it back in stock in late September. Thus, I went with MM. In early October my kilt was delivered, but it was improperly pleated! You see, I had ordered it pleated to the line, but the one delivered was pleated to the sett. So, it was sent back. The replacement kilt was made-start to finish-over a weekend, and delivered to me about a week after the first one. (Why didn't we do that in the first place?) Total time from order to delivery: 4 months. The kilt looks and fits great. I could have done without the drama.

Lessons learned:

1. When working with kiltmakers overseas, be patient.

2. Remember: no one cares as much about your new kilt as you do. Not the kiltmaker; not the mill; not the shop you ordered it from.

3. It doesn't take 8 weeks to make a kilt. It takes a dunderhead like me about 2 weeks, and an accomplished kiltmaker can do it in a few days.

4. Making your own kilt is a great option if you lack patience like I do. It also costs about1/3 to 1/2 of what you'd pay a shop and you can work at whatever pace you like. No questions about quality, either...

[flyrod6057]

Thanks everybody for the input, unfortunately I just found out that my kilt was ordered in the wrong weight wool. I asked for a 16oz and a lightweight was ordered. Waiting now for a call back from the shop... I need a drink now!! int:

Based on the dates of your posts, chances are good they haven't started stitching your kilt yet. Provided that the tartan is in stock, your kilt shouldn't be delayed. If you're working with S.C.S., make sure you speak with Debe. She's a gem. She'll get things squared away for you in a timely manner. There are a couple minions at the shop that aren't nearly as helpful...

If things get too fouled up, there's a kiltmaker a couple hours North of The Rose City who does some great work... PM me if you need her contact info.

Best of luck with "the jones!"

[madmacs]

I believe there was a thread a while back about the time to actually make a kilt... IIRC the average was about 20hrs or so... one major high end manufacturer was quoted I think as 10hrs... but that doesnt take into account the 6 kilts in line before you... The week to order the fabric, or the shipping time to you...

Can you get a kilt quickly? Sure... Depends who you know... And what youre willing to pay

I went through the wait for Maclean fabric, and Locharron got it back in stock at the beginning of November... My kilt is finished now, so technically it took about 3 weeks...

If I was using a shop and they made an error of using the wrong weight... The wrong tartan... or pleating option, my not unreasonable expectation would be that I dont go to the back of the line again...

As I said previously communication is key... In my case Bonnie let me know the fabric was out of stock and that the ETA was the end of November (3+ months wait)... we went through other options including custom weave from DC Dalgleish, but ended up back at Locharron Strome and waiting since that was what I wanted.

I think it is maybe easier to deal with a kiltmaker like Bonnie, Barb, Kathy Lare that doesnt outsource the kiltmaking, as not only are they looking after their own reputations, but they also are more in touch with the making process and it's delays...

Edit:
I think American kiltmakers are probably in a better position to understand the cultural differences/expectations of of its customers living in a 24hr instant gratification society too.

[Spartan Tartan]

I think it is maybe easier to deal with a kiltmaker like Bonnie, Barb, Kathy Lare that doesnt outsource the kiltmaking, as not only are they looking after their own reputations, but they also are more in touch with the making process and it's delays...

I couldn't agree more.

I just got my hand sewn from Bonnie and it was worth the weight (pun intended ). She kept me informed throughout the entire process. I went the customer weave route from DC Dalgliesh. Waiting for the mill to weave the material was just part of the deal....of course, I now have a beautiful kilt I can wear the rest of my life--a couple extra months to wait really doesn't matter with that in mind.