Taken by sloppy kiltmaker

[auld argonian]

That is a shame. It's even more upsetting because the circle of kilt consumers is a relatively small but discriminating group...the kilt is such a simple garment on a basic level and it achieves its "magic" through the use of good material and good craftsmanship. Sounds like you got the material but not the craftsmanship. I hope that someone can rescue your Saffron.

Best

AA

[Colin]

Why not look into ordering the Irish National or Saffron ffom Stillwater for the games.

Check with Matt, Barb, or Robert MacDonald (www.westcoastkilts.com) to see if the kilt can be repaired.

How did you originally find the kiltmaker?

[orangehaggis]

O'Neille:

I'm talking about the actual black cotton lining over the canvas ... the canvas is pretty far down too. Now that I poke around under there, it doesn't look as if the excess fabric from the pleats has been cut away.

Colin:

I've purchased several accessories (flashes, balmorals, etc) from this particular person, all made at his home, and all of very good quality. I guess I liked the idea of an ex-Ranger making my kilt in Northern Ireland (where my family originates) so much that I didn't even consider that he didn't know what he was doing.

As for Irish National, I wouldn't be caught dead in it! I believe Stillwater's saffron is a saffron coloured shadow tartan, rather than a solid saffron - anyway, I prefer a proper wool kilt.

I have a few people who could do the repairs, but I will ask the folks at the website you provided to see how much they charge. It's just the added frustration and cost, you know? I could've ordered one from the Kilt Store for slightly less than I paid this guy, and it would've been perfect.

Mark - Ohio

[Panache]

... I believe Stillwater's saffron is a saffron coloured shadow tartan, rather than a solid saffron

You are right, the Saffron is a Shadow Tartan. The pattern is only visable in certain lights, which makes it very cool .

anyway, I prefer a proper wool kilt.

The saffron is a Stillwater Heavyweight, it's a wool kilt

Cheers

[Colin]

I have a few people who could do the repairs, but I will ask the folks at the website you provided to see how much they charge. It's just the added frustration and cost, you know? I could've ordered one from the Kilt Store for slightly less than I paid this guy, and it would've been perfect.

Hopefully it can be fixed. I guess it's the risk we all take dealing on the internet. Good luck.

[Kilted KT]

I hope you get it fixed right, and soon!

as for the support group you seek, you have already found it!

[MacWage]

Matt Newsome's posted info on alterations:
http://kilts.albanach.org/alterations.html

He is in North Carolina, USA, by the way.

We KNOW his craftsmanship is good.

[pdcorlis]

OH
I'm not clear about your communication with the kilt maker. Since you have purchased other goods from him, you are a return customer. I'd suggest you contact him and share your surprise and displeasure with him. It sounds like you know a good kilt when you see one, perhaps he will offer some satisfaction in the end. If not - you are in the unfortunate position of deciding if the kilt is worth amore expense to fix it or if this is one very expensive life lesson - but I bet you knew that part already.

You have my sympathy for your unfortunate and costly situation.

[Blu (Ontario)]

O'Neille:

I'm talking about the actual black cotton lining over the canvas ... the canvas is pretty far down too. Now that I poke around under there, it doesn't look as if the excess fabric from the pleats has been cut away.

Where a re-build is concerned... this is probably a good thing. Is the fabric a proper selvedged wool?

PM me if you'd like information on a traditional kiltmaker here in Ontario that just re-built one for me.

good luck...

blu

[orangehaggis]

Ok ... some progress has been made! The kiltmaker did offer me a full refund ... so the butchered bit of wool is being sent out in tomorrow's post. Of course, I still could be out the money plus a non-wearable kilt ... but I am trusting that this was all just a huge mistake. I almost wonder if he ordered the fabric and had it sent to Pakiland to be sewn?

I have already ordered a saffron kilt from the Kilt Store ... the price was actually a bit more than I paid the butcher when added to postage, but I feel much more confident about them - as an added bonus, I'm helping to support this most invaluable group!

In answer to Blu's question, the fabric is Marton Mill's 13oz Saffron. MM is located in England, and a swatch of their saffron can be viewed at the Kilt Store's site, through their "Top value 8-yard kilt" link. This is very close to the proper MOD saffron - it's a very dramatic deep brownish rust. I am still disappointed by the poorly made kilt, but am again looking forward to owning my first solid-colour kilt! (and to posting pictures!)

Mark - Ohio