Do kilts have a "break-in" period?

[Tobus]

This is awesome stuff. It's like "kilt anatomy 101". Or a Chilton's manual showing you what your engine looks like when you take it apart.

Yes, it's slightly difficult to see my kilt being gutted on Steve's table. But it's necessary. In fact, from what I'm seeing, if I had worn this kilt much longer with the fabric being stretched and the stitching being stressed like it was, I'm afraid I might have done more permanent damage. So I'm glad we caught this when we did. At this point, I'm assuming the kilt can be retrofitted with a stabilizer and proper interfacing, and returned to service.

To answer the question that's been asked several times, I don't know who made this kilt. I can tell you who I bought it from, but that's not who made it. This kilt came from Skye Highland Outfitters about a year and a half ago. This was the original thread from when I received it. The kilt was, according to Josh, made in Scotland by someone he subcontracted there. I have no clue who he was using then for constructing traditional kilts, or who he's using now. The size 34 tag in there suggests that it was done by a somewhat industrial shop, though that's just a guess on my part.

I consider this a classic example of needing to do one's homework before spending money on a kilt. And talking to the actual kiltmaker directly. When I bought this kilt, I didn't know what questions to ask. All I knew was that I wanted an 8-yard, 16-oz kilt. And his price looked pretty good. But as I'm learning now, there's a lot more to it than that, in terms of how a kilt is actually built. I didn't really think I should need to know the finer points of kilt construction details in order to get a quality kilt. I know better now, and my next kilt will come from a top-quality kiltmaker with a long history of excellent work, with whom I deal directly.

This isn't to say that my kilt is junk. It's a good kilt - it fits me well and looks great, has great swish, and is made from quality fabric (Lochcarron Strome, IIRC). But it just has a couple of deficiencies in the way it was built. Hopefully we'll be able to retrofit it and get it back on the road. And provide some education for the rabble along the way. Not only in terms of how kilts are (or should be) made, but in terms of why quality craftsmanship matters.

This is good stuff! Information like this is why this forum is invaluable.

[Woot22]

This is good stuff! Information like this is why this forum is invaluable.

Indeed, just when you think we have talked about it all, you start a thread like this and Steve ends up taking us all to school, pretty neat in my opinion. Thanks for the heads up about the origin as well. Just wanted to make sure it was not made from the company I had planned on using for my next kilt. Again, I know it was a quality kilt, but still, don't want to have to worry about this myself. The worst part is I am the type of person who would have just made up an excuse and ignored the problem. I would have thought there was nothing wrong with the construction of the kilt. Good to know you are not so easily fooled.

[Tobus]

The worst part is I am the type of person who would have just made up an excuse and ignored the problem. I would have thought there was nothing wrong with the construction of the kilt. Good to know you are not so easily fooled.

Actually, I was so easily fooled! I had no idea anything was amiss here until I innocently asked the question. After realizing that my kilt was fitting me differently, I figured maybe it was just a function of a "break-in" of the kilt. Turns out, I was completely wrong. The expert advice and detailed look that Steve is giving us has made it crystal clear what the issue is, and I would have been none the wiser without it!

I'm sure that people who have Barb's book (or otherwise are "in the know" about kiltmaking) are not seeing anything earth-shattering here. But for the rest of us who just enjoy kilts but have never delved into the details of construction, this thread is proving to be a very good "kiltmaking for dummies" type affair.

[crash]

Wow, this post has been a great read so far and I can't wait for the next installments. They say it's a poor day when you don't learn something. It looks like I've had a pretty good day.