Local made or import from Scotland?

**cable scot** · 19th September 12, 07:29 AM

Lochcarron is a well established tartan mill and has fine kilt-makers,my first kilt was made by them almost 20yrs ago. Who would build your kilt there? I can think of some great folks who make kilts up there. All in All it's up to you,for some folks it HAS TO BE MADE IN Scotland to be a "real kilt",for me only 3 of my 9 were made in Scotland the rest are U.S. made.

NOTE: IMHO the tartan wool that makes up the kilt should come from Scotland or British mills at least.

Hope this helps
Andy

**Tobus** · 19th September 12, 07:42 AM

I would have them send the fabric to your area and get the local kilt maker to do it. Why? Because you can deal with them directly and have all your concerns addressed. If it's made by someone at Lochcarron, you have absolutely no input or control.

When it comes to kilts, it's always better to deal directly with the actual person who will be making it.

**brewerpaul** · 19th September 12, 07:42 AM

If you have a local craftsman I would myself support them. If they are close you ha e the advantage of being personally measured for your Kilt.

**The Wizard of BC** · 19th September 12, 08:57 AM

The truth is that your fabric is probably already sitting in a warehouse in Barrie,ON.
Burnett's & Struth are the Canadian offices of the Lochcarron Woolen Mills. Almost everyone in Canada who orders fabric from Lochcarron is supplied from the Canadian warehouse. Most shops who order fabric from Lochcarron and do not have a kiltmaker have the work done by Burnett's & Struth.

Knowing where your fabric is woven is a good thing, but knowing who your kiltmaker is, is far more important. There are good kiltmakers and there are poor kiltmakers. This is just as true for Canada as it is for Scotland.

The kilt is a had tailored garment. (this is still true regardless if it is machine or hand sewn) It is made from one long length of fabric that is folded and sewn, not from a pattern placed over the fabric, cut out, and sewn on the dotted lines.

I suggest you call your shop and inquire who it is that will actually be making your kilt. If you do not get a good answer seek out a kiltmaker on your own. Look at examples of their work. Talk to them. Have them measure you. Talk to them about pleating styles and pleating to the Sett vs pleating to the stripe. Query them about stabilizers and interfacings.

I assume you just laid down a sizable amount of money for your kilt. You have the right to get what you just paid for.

**artificer** · 19th September 12, 09:02 AM

I'm with Tobus, brewerpaul, and the Wizard. It's good to know your kilt maker. And if you can't find someone local there are a good number of excellent kilt makers on XMarks you might wish to consult with.

ith:

**Tobus** · 19th September 12, 09:06 AM

Query them about stabilizers and interfacings.

This needs to be emphasized. If you don't know what these are, here is a thread where I discovered (to my extreme dismay) that my "made in Scotland" kilt did not have a stabilizer. And it will hopefully explain why it's so important.

That thread is precisely why I will never, ever buy another kilt from someone if I can't speak directly to the kilt maker.

**creagdhubh** · 19th September 12, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

That thread is precisely why I will never, ever buy another kilt from someone if I can't speak directly to the kilt maker.

***

**Father Bill** · 19th September 12, 10:00 AM

I'm much happier with the kilt made by Keltoi after he measured me himself than I am with the one made in Scotland after they measured me... and I then had to wait and hope they got it right... which they didn't... and John had to rebuild it for me. Always better when you can look the kiltmaker in the eye, and more to the point s/he has to face you and stand behind their product when you try it on and stand in it.

I'll work with John again. I'll not order from away ever again.

**seanachie** · 20th September 12, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

I'm much happier with the kilt made by Keltoi after he measured me himself than I am with the one made in Scotland after they measured me... and I then had to wait and hope they got it right... which they didn't... and John had to rebuild it for me. Always better when you can look the kiltmaker in the eye, and more to the point s/he has to face you and stand behind their product when you try it on and stand in it.

I'll work with John again. I'll not order from away ever again.

I think the good Reverend is correct here. John Hart is a wonderful kiltmaker, takes great pride in his work and quality of product, extremely helpful with questions and a very nice guy. This in no way disparages any other kiltmaker here or elsewhere but he is in your general area. The technical issues with kilt construction such as stabilizers, pleats properly cut out etc. are all part of my kilts from Keltoi.

**JohntheBiker** · 19th September 12, 10:46 AM

Matt:

Cairngorm has a kiltmaker on staff and I can attest that she does quality work. She just adjusted my "best" kilt, which she made for me years ago, and I am delighted by the outcome. They have knowledgeable staff, first rate service and a reasonable turnaround on the order. You could do a lot worse going elsewhere.

John Hart at Keltoi was also mentioned in this thread. He's less than an hour away in Kitchener and he'll do a fine job as well (I'm awaiting delivery on kilt from him in the next week or so).