Where do Kiltmaker's Learn Their Craft?

[Scottish Chi]

Very good question! While looking to have my first traditional kilt made I was concerned about the kiltmaker's training, qualifications, and level of experience. There isn't much to help someone make an informed decision. I feel very lucky to have found X Marks for guidance. Here I found out about folks like Kathy Lare, Barbara Tewksbury, Matt Newsom, and others. I feel more confident knowing the person who is making the kilt than I do relying on a business who may "farm out" my kilt. As you stated this is not meant to question anyones creditials. It's just that anytime I invest what is to me a large sum of money I prefer to know the Craftperson/artist.

I am not aware of any other source of information on kiltmakers that is as informative as the collective experience of the members on this website. But then you know that I'm sure - your posts were some of the first that helped me. And I thank you.

Cheers! Bill

[Southern Breeze]

I'm looking forward to these replys as well. I've made several myself and being certifiable helps. :rolleyes:

[MacHummel]

Well
I learned my craft from a very nice elderly women here in Fergus who wanted to pass on all she knew, as a young girl she and her mother made kilts in Scotland Pat is a wonderful lady and I hope I have made her proud.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Ron, great topic. I too look forward to hearing others responses. It is not like kilts are mainstream enough, like car mechanics, that we can ask our neighbors/coworkers/friends their recommendations for a good kilt maker!

[smaughazard]

Ron, great topic. I too look forward to hearing others responses. It is not like kilts are mainstream enough, like car mechanics, that we can ask our neighbors/coworkers/friends their recommendations for a good kilt maker!

That's one of the key reasons I joined XMarks in the first place: the amount of knowledge represented here is amazing! Lucky, too, I guess, that my closest kiltmaker is Matt Newsome!

[Panache]

So OK kiltmakers, we kilted rabble will now sit down, shut up, and listen.

Tell us you stories...

[MacWage]

For would be kiltmakers, the links on the main homepage of this forum are helpful. I used them for my first. I have picked Matt's brain as well. Being poor and cheap, I sought a good book and was directed many times to Barb's book. Matt raved (as much as he would) over it. It was the best $30 I've spent. It is EXCELLENT for an amateur and her and her writing partner's credentials/experience is on their web site (see Barb's homepage link on her name badge). It GREATLY improved my abilities and what makes a good, bad, and mediocre kilt.

I'll shut up now for more qualified kiltmakers to expound.