Does anyone know of ANY kiltmakers in or around Montreal?

[Mathew MacKillop]

Hi Steve!

Thanks for the response. I was already pretty sure that I would not be able to find local kiltmakers, but if I had, I would have visited each of them to see who I felt most comfortable with. The advice you offer is very sound.

Short of having a local kiltmaker, naturally my choices are Xmarks vendors. So far, I have reduced those options down to yourself, or Keltoi. I am inclined to go with Freedom Kilts due to the more reasonable pricing, as otherwise positive comments on both are very abundant here.

So, in light of that, perhaps there are a few questions I can ask here that would also be of use to the rest of the Rabble.

Your site describes that you make kilts slightly differently than others, but in the end what I really want is a fully traditional 8 yard kilt, with the full rise (I am indeed a larger fellow, and it has been suggested in many places that the full rise suits folks like me better, and it is what I like the look of, anyways). I do not want pockets, modern belt loops, or any such thing. Just 2 or 3 straps/buckles and 2 or 3 large belt loops. While I suspect that this is something you can do without issue, I would like to make sure.

Your site also does not require the selection of a tartan in the ordering process (the list of tartans is there, but seems to be more for information purposes than for the actual order). How is this dealt with? Do I call or email you after placing the order? Are some tartans not more expensive than others?

If my plans hold up, over the winter I will place orders for 2 kilts and 2 sets of Jacket/Vest. I am interested in the MacKillop tartan, if you can get it, and the Douglas DA tartan (which I would guess stands for "dark", but you likely know better than I do.). For the Jackets, I will be wanting 1 Kilt Kut in charcoal, but for my other one I would want a brown tweed...but done in what I can only call a combination of traditional and Kilt Kut. Meaning: I like the look of the single button front, but would not want epaulettes or gauntlet cuffs. Is this something you are able and willing to do?

Thanks!

Mathew

[The Wizard of BC]

Mathew,

Yes, I do full traditional hand stitched kilts. It is not the bread and butter of my business but I seem to be making more and more Traditional kilts.
The problem is that my Contemporary kilt orders are also increasing. My wait time is right at my limit as acceptable. I currently have so many orders on my board that I am having to tell customers that their kilt will not be ready until after Valentines Day in February.

I have hired a new kiltmaker but she will not be fully up to speed for at least a few more weeks.

On the Freedom Kilts Website- in either the Custom Contemporary kilt or the Hand-sewn Kilts with a twist sections you select your fabric from drop-down menus.
The fabric selection drop down menu are specific to each different type of fabric.
For example- If you select the 12oz Polyester/Rayon Tartan only those Tartans available in that collection will be displayed.
When you select a fabric and Tartan with the drop-down menu your selection is automatically entered in your order.

The Kilt Kut Suit coat is exclusive to Freedom Kilts. Yes, I can request a single button front without Epaulets or Gauntlet cuffs. This is in essence a single button Wallace jacket similar to what others also carry. Charcoal Tweed is the most common and most requested fabric. I also have three brown tweeds available.

Do you have a preference to composition and weight for your kilt fabrics?
The MacKillop Tartan, Modern Version is available in 16oz wool.
The Douglas Tartan, Modern and/or DA versions are available is just about any composition and weight. (The DA refers specifically to the 16oz wool fabrics from Marton Mills.)

[Mathew MacKillop]

Hi Steve,

I can more or less guarantee that any kilt I order will be in 16oz wool. I have browsed your site extensively, but find that there is not always a drop down menu for selecting the tartan, and when there is, it somehow disappears either during selection or right after. I can send you a screenshot of this if you wish. There is of course the list of available tartans to the left of the screen, but no actual way to select a tartan for the kilt from there. The MacKillop tartan also does not appear in the list.

I will not be in any tremendous hurry, so your wait times do not worry me one bit. I will be ordering a regimental weight kilt from What Price Glory before anything else to have something warm enough for even the coldest winter days, so that'll tide me over until late winter/early spring.

Thanks so much for the information and the help!

Mathew

[Randy McIntosh]

There is one in Montreal
Debbie Johnstone,

PM me for her phone number