Quote Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC View Post
I have to agree with Barb on this point of VERY deep under apron pleats.
On my kilts the deep and reverse pleats are deeper than normal but that is due to the fabric I work with. Poly/Cotton does not drape as well as Wool so I make my deep pleats DEEP. With Wool however, that drape very can cause problems.

I had the ability to experiment. I would build a kilt, try it on, and squat. If the apron did not drop between my legs I would cut it off and add a deeper pleat.
Then I would stand back up and see if the added depth caused the apron to hang funny when standing and walking. It was only these experiments (8-10 tries) that allowed me to come up with what works for my fabrics.

A Traditionally Styled and competently made kilt has worked fine for many men over many years. Most kiltmakers I know have looked at their work in action and tweeked their design till it works for them.

Yes, the kilt is still evolving. We, as kiltmakers, are still experimenting and trying to make our product better.

I hope that the kiltmaker you speak of was at least polite when saying they could not handle your request. I too have told potential customers that I was not willing to make what they are asking for. For example, I will not make a reverse Kingussie pleated kilt with a 7" apron.
I now realize that I should have hidden a tape recorder in my sporran.

Let me give more info:

I dressed for the meeting in my 2nd best handmade kilt. MacMillan Tartan, about 8 years old, mid weight wool, pleated to stripe, with the gold vertical stripe being visible on each pleat. I had on mid-weight dark green hose, matching tartan flashes, sandals, and a plain dark green golf shirt. Wide black belt, Stillwater USMC buckle and Stillwater nylon sporran. I think I wore everything well - but I am biased.

The initial meeting started off OK, she introduced me to her dog, I made friends, and scratched it's ears. She invited me into her kitchen, where there stood several sample books of tartan - I never got to look inside her books.

We started to talk about kilts. I told her that I wear kilts regularly and was looking for a new one. I at one point asked if she could make box pleats, to which she responded "What do you want that for? Are you in a re-enactment group?" I again, informed her that I wear kilts as clothing, not as a costume. I started to get pissed (hindsight) I then asked if she could make a deeper pleat as discussed previously.... see other posts. The velcro came up only at the end.

After giving this much thought, I now think that she doesn't, in fact, make kilts, but takes orders that she then sends away. Maybe this is being harsh, but I saw no samples, kilts in progress, or nuthin'.... That would explain her being very un-yielding to a customers desires.