Troy, NY Kilt Kamp

**JRB** · 8th July 07, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by Bob C.

She closed her shop, but is still making kilts and selling tartan from home.

That's good to know. I've heard very good reviews of Ann Stewart's kilts and she lives practically right down the road from the boatshop where I work.

**Bob C** · 8th July 07, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by JRB

That's good to know. I've heard very good reviews of Ann Stewart's kilts and she lives practically right down the road from the boatshop where I work.

She made my tank. It's a work of art. Her website is www.kiltshop.com.

**way2fractious** · 9th July 07, 10:19 AM

What an utterly fantastic time you had! Thank you for the update on personnel and arrangements for future kiltmaking classes. It will be a treat to see the pictures.

I see The F-H.C.A.G. has already checked in regarding the left-handed discussion. (That's what I get for being "unplugged" from the internet on weekends.)

Originally Posted by Wompet

What can I say about Elsie? She's a combination Scottish Grandmother, School-teacher ("old school" school teacher), and drill sergeant. She would show you how to do something, why to do it that way, and then you did it that way ... or else. The Tartan Gnome (her nickname) would go around and look at our handiwork when we weren't there, and if something was really wrong - rriiiipppp out come the stitches. I think Way2Fractious mentioned last year that Elsie wouldn't let anyone at his kilt camp to use pins. She let us use two - at most. I was allowed to use four, because I was left-handed (and the only guy, and had never made a "proper" kilt before). When it comes to kilts, she's a traditionalist - wool, 8 yards, worn by men or dancers. This got me some ribbing, because all I took to wear were my hemp RKilt and my CCK ("You've got a proper kilt now - throw those in the rubbish when you get home!").

Isn't she a scream?

I wore a different, self-made casual kilt every day at my kilt kamp. Why? Because they are comfortable AND I wanted to get a rise from Elsie. Camo is not her thing; casual kilts are not her thing; she started to warm up with the 4-yard box pleat in worsted wool tartan, though. Rubbish, indeed! No way - there is a place for all types of kilts!

Anyway, I hope your new kilt comes out to your liking. But, how could it not - you made it. Congratulations.

**Wompet** · 3rd August 07, 06:42 AM

Okay, pictures of the finished kilt!
I've posted these elsewhere, but they're a good way to show what you learn and accomplish at Kilt Kamp.

Now, to start thinking about what next year's kilt is going to be.

**way2fractious** · 3rd August 07, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by Wompet

Now, to start thinking about what next year's kilt is going to be.

Yes. It is amazing, when one stops to think about it, that for all the impulsiveness expressed and demonstrated on this forum there is still a very large element of pre-planning and waiting when it comes to top quality kilts... and a special "jonesing" for those who sew their own.

**Alan H** · 3rd August 07, 11:05 AM

Ahhh, THAT is the one you made...NICE job.

**mkmound** · 3rd August 07, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

Ahhh, THAT is the one you made...NICE job.

Second that -- nice job!!

How many kilts have you made prior to this one?

**Wompet** · 14th August 07, 03:41 PM

I made four machine-sewn cotton kilts before this one.
And talking to McMurdo at Fergus, I realized that I hadn't finished posting my pictures from Troy ...

First good sign that I had arrived in the right place:

**Wompet** · 14th August 07, 03:47 PM

The older buildings at the Emma Willard School have themed grotesques near their roof lines.
The classroom building had the classical studies (mathematics, cartography, philosophy).
The dormitory had the performing arts -

including this fellow:

We couldn't figure out why, but the chapel had athletics and sports -