Last Friday Jesse finished her co-op placement with me. She will be returning to Laurier University in Waterloo.
Jesse worked on building a new website for me as well as creating a database for a point of sale application.
During the last week she helped with building a kilt for herself. It was completed last Friday, and she wore it for most of the afternoon and then again for our kilt night last Saturday. It’s a little quieter in the shop and she will be missed. I wish her the best on her education.
The weather is wonderful and I expect to see more kilt action at the shop.
In anticipation of the successful launch of the army green hemp, I’ve ordered a bolt of fabric so I will have some on hand.
In terms of turn around time from order to delivery it’s approximately 8 weeks.
Enjoy the day
Robert
Last night I sponsored a kilt night at the shop. A little over 20 guests were crammed into the shop. Guests started arriving at 7:00pm eager to participate. Some bringing special beverages to the ones that were already on hand. There were a few members from an online forum xmarksthescot. Another kiltmaker from KELTOI Gaelic Clothing. A number of folk joined us via SKYPE and it was proven they were kilted as well. For some reason I was rather busy as host, so I didn’t get many photo’s, but did manage a few before we headed off to Fosters, a local pub in downtown Stratford.
Unbeknownst to us, There was a stag party happening at Fosters. The concern on the lads faces when in walk 16 guys in kilts thinking we were the entertainment. Needless to say we on purpose made them very nervous and took over the bar.
A very successful event indeed with the Rowdy Rabble
The Army green Hemp kilt was completed yesterday, pictures taken and posted on the website.
I’m very pleased with this colour and the kilt has turned out very well, already sales are booming for this unit.
Completed the Brown kilt belts today pictures to follow in the next few days.
A big thank you to Jessie as she completed her last day on her co-op placement with me. She has done a wonderful job on the database. She has helped immensely with the RKilts website. Some have you have already explored the new features. This is only the beginning and the site will be updated over the next few months as I continue to make the products and photos are taken.
Spent some time cleaning up the shop as we prepare for the SOKS March Kilt Night which happens tomorrow evening March 26th at 7:30 PM. One of the members dropped off some Innes and Gunn beverage and rumour has it more brands will be appearing tomorrow. If you’re in the area please drop by and join us.
Pictures will be taken and a review of the festivities will appear on the blog.
All the best
Cheers
Robert
This Army Green hemp is a pleasure to work with. Most of today was spent building the pockets then early this afternoon I laid out a kilt and top stitched it.
I then pinned it together so it will be ready to stitch down the fell.
This is a very warm colour, I think it will be my next top seller. I’m looking forward to it’s completition, possibly by the end of day tomorrow.
It’s been a day of deliveries. One of my leather suppliers was in town today, he stopped by the shop and brought some leather that will later be turned into some fine belts and sporrans. Might have a few Brown Kilt belts and braided sporran belts for the weekend. Brown accessories are hard to come by and they don’t stay in the shop long.
One of my customers dropped by with a very warm fresh loaf of bread this afternoon. It can be a tough life here at the shop.
Have a great evening shall touch base tomorrow
Cheers
Robert
The jury is out on the slogan but we shall see by the response of the blog. Yes ladies and Gentlemen, I do like making women happy by getting men into kilts. This week marks the launch of a new colour in hemp, Finally after a couple of months, I am starting on making a kilt in this great colour.
In the picture below are the makings of two kilts. Pockets, waistbands, belt loops, and the material for the kilt
Had a snag in the shopping cart with Canada post but I believe we have corrected the bug. Always something.
Lance was in today and helped make some fabulous brown braided sporran belts. They should be ready for sale by the end of the week. The order board is getting full again, turnarounds are the beginning of May. The first Highland Games I’m attending will be in May up in Sudbury Ontario.
Also getting ready for our kilt night this weekend. The kilts Have cabin fever they may just get a little rowdy this Saturday.
Cheers
You just never know what’s going to happen on any given day. What I do know is that a good percentage of my customers come back for another kilt and what follows is a case in point.
One of my customers was working on set for a new Bruce Willis film, that is being shot in Toronto. Apparently Mr. Willis sponsored a draw and the prize being some extra cash which my customer won and is turning into a leather kilt. Now how cool is that?!
It has been a hectic week at the atelier, however, after many hours of hard work Jessie has been able to launch are new website. It will have some growing pains, but it is an improvement over the last one.
Jessie has caught the bug and wants a kilt for herself, but the list is getting kinda long so I’m guiding her through the steps of making one. Not sure how it will turn out but we’re having some fun.
Here she is laying out the kilt
Here she is trying her hand at top stitching the pleats using the industrial sewing machine. (I don’t think she’s sewn before) Don’t worry Jessie I think we can fix most of it.
Had my weekly chat with Rocky of USA kilts. He and his shop was featured on a St. Patrick’s day morning show Channel 10 out of Philly. I saw the clip and he did rather well.
There’s a good buzz on the kilt night that will be happening here in Stratford next week, all the folk with cabin fever about to let loose, I think it will be a fun night.
I plan on making the Army green hemp kilts next week so we should have photo’s soon.
I have had requests for videos one being on the difference between the Mach V and RKilt, I’m open to other suggestions.
Spring has arrived today, saw a few snow flurries during the course of the day, though I’m told it will start getting warmer on Monday.
Have a great weekend. If you’re in the neighbourhood please drop by.
Cheers
Robert
Nancy at the Buzz stop got her kilt yesterday and it was the buzz of the street. We shall see how many more merchants on the street I can get kilted. An update. She just came into the store and ordered another one!
Pulled an all nighter to complete a leather kilt that went up to Sudbury today, so it will arrive on time for it’s new owner to wear to an opening night performance at a theatre. Needless to say I’m a little sluggish today.
Received a call from Ottawa. Mr. Stewart is extremely pleased with his new Mach V and he’s debating whether he should give the kilt he ordered for his son today or make him wait for his birthday… hmm don’t want to be in that household.
Banner week weather wise, great to see people with their families strolling about.
The new website has been up for a full day and I’m slowly checking it for bugs. Over the next couple of weeks more pictures will be added to the shopping cart.
Hopefully I’ll be able to find some time to update the forum.
All in all it’s been a good week. Product has been produced and sent out. All is well.
Cheers
Robert
Nancy’s been in twice today checking on the progress of her kilt. She operates a small shop just down the road from me. selling coffee, tea, cigars…..
If I’m not disturbed for a few hours she may get her kilt on Thursday.
My folks suffering from cabin fever showed up this afternoon having trekked south from Manitoulin Island and they will be touring this area for the next couple of days.
Didn’t have a chance to show you some of the sporran pictures yesterday so here’s a sneak preview before they appear on the website.
Speaking of which, the Plan is to launch it on Thursday.
Cheers
Robert
This is the original RKilts design featuring two pockets
Also shown here is a plain classic design. But loaded with features. Inside is a bank card dispenser, money clip as well as a separate pocket for a cell phone.
The past view days have been a whirlwind at the shop.
Took some pictures of the brown leather kilt for the website, along with some product. Kilt hose and RKilt sporran, classic sporran. Also took some of the kilt belts that are now in stock.
For fun my father made these. These are available only in the store
My cousin showed up for a visit so we had coffee at Sputnik.
Said hi to Sean Cullen as he was trying to connect on the internet,
Sold a couple of kilts to a fellow in Tasmania, another from a chap in Kitchener. Getting organized for the kilt night at the end of the month.
If you’ve been following along this is the final installment on the brown leather kilt.
I attached the waistband and pockets. Built a ranger belt to complete the ensemble and it will be shipped out to it’s owner on Monday.
