RKilts » Happenings at the RKilts Atellier

A Comparison

Robert — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 14:45:54 +0000

I just completed a hemp blue jean RKIlt and I thought it would be good to compare it to a similar utility kilt that is currently flooding the market.

On the left is the RKilt and on the right is an East Asian product. The RKilt is made from 13 oz hemp cloth whilst the Asian is made from 8 oz cotton. Hemp fabric is a stronger fiber, the original blue jeans used to be made from hemp, however the cloth is more durable and doesn’t have to be replaced as often as a garment made from cotton.
The Asian kilt uses just under 4 yds of material, the RKilt is just under 7 yds.

You will also notice that the RKilt has 22 pleats (16 across the back) the Asian has 14 (10 across the back) More pleats give you a better swish factor and less wrinkling.
The pleat width on the Asian model is not consistent and varies in width by a couple of centimetres. The RKilt has a full under apron the other is only about 2/3rds the width.
The RKilt uses a traditional closure by the use of buckles and straps. The straps are made from 8/10oz bridal leather (straps on traditional kilts use 4/6oz leather
The straps on the Asian kilt are made with cloth and are purely decorative, whereas the RKilt have a function and attach to quality roller buckles The button hole for the inner strap to go through is reenforced with leather
Pockets on the RKilt are reenforced with rivets at stress points The Asian kilts are just sewn onto the kilt and don’t have rivets at the stress point nor does it have an interior pocket that is ideal for a smart phone
The Asian kilts are off the rack come only in standard lengths, waist and hip sizes. The RKilt is custom made, so it is the proper length, waist and hip size to fit the person.
True there is a price difference, but when you compare the overall features of the RKilt, workmanship, qualities of materials used The RKilt comes on top. I hope this helps when you choose your next utility style kilt.

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Annual Swan Parade

Robert — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 19:11:29 +0000

It was a cool damp day but that did not deter the swans marching to Lake Victoria.
It lasts about 5 minutes in total but it is one of the major events to kick off the season here in Stratford.
The pilgrimage for the swans to the water serenaded by the Stratford Police Pipe Band. Wouldn’t you know the Goose is determined to lead the affair.
The following is a brief video of the event

Kiltmaker on a unicycle

Robert — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:48:07 +0000

A challenge was launched earlier this week stemming from a youtube video of a fellow riding a unicycle playing the bagpipes, wearing a kilt.
Well I can’t do that, but I do own a unicycle and was able to ride it 15 or more years ago.
So here we go day 2 of me getting back into shape.

We had a few good laughs and amazed a few folk as well

The Curse of MacBeth

Robert — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 20:45:40 +0000

For those of you that have a theatre background you may have encountered this superstition. Basically, it’s bad luck to mention this play whilst in, or working in the theatre unless in fact you are working on the production.
To combat the curse one has to leave the room, spin three times spit, swear and then request permission to enter back into the room.
My daughter is attending Ontario College Art and Design University in Toronto (OCAD) One of her projects was to come up with a piece of jewelry that deals with superstition. She was raised in a theatre family and thought of making a kilt pin as the project. Her professor wasn’t keen on a kilt pin, he had reasons that I find short sighted but I’m not going to go into it. In the end she convinced him of her idea and made it into a pendant instead. I’m hoping that she will soon be able to produce it as an RKilt kilt pin to be worn with our new line of tweed kilts.

The jagged sword represents swearing, and it has a spittoon in the middle of the hilt, three rings to represent the three revolves one has to take, and anamethyst to ward of evil spirits
I’m sure she will be able to scale this down and hopefully make a series of a very unique kilt pin.
Now I have some major lobbying to do.
Here is an excerpt of what she wrote to go along with this work of art.
“When William Shakespeare wrote his darkest play “Macbeth”, he included real, black magic incantations in the script. As a result he place a curse on the show. It is said that uttering the name “Macbeth” in a theatre invites untold evils. If someone dare speak the name, they must leave the room, spin around three times, spit, swear and beg to be let back in the room.
This pendant acts as a reminder of this counter curse. The rings on the hilt of the dagger represent spinning, the dome between the dagger’s cross guards is a spittoon, and the jagged blade represents the act of swearing. In addition, the amethyst stone wards off evil spirits. The dagger itself is a symbol of “Macbeth” and the pain and suffering associated with the production.”

Good response to the tweed

Robert — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 17:10:50 +0000

My father stopped by the shop today and he agreed to take some quick shots of me in the tweed kilt. We’ve been getting a positive response for this kilt with a lot of thumbs up.

The kilt hangs well and has a very good swish factor

More photo’s to come
Enjoy your day

Highland Games sewing project

Robert — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 19:08:29 +0000

The Tassie sporrans were a big seller at the Glengarry Highland games. I have to build up stock for the Fergus Games but am running out of time at the shop.

This will be the perfect project for the solar powered sewing machine at the games. I have gathered and prepped all the components for the sporrans so in the wee hours in the morning and quiet times I will be busy sewing these units up.
Fergus Games is happening this weekend Aug.12th-14th, stop by the booth and monitor my progress

The Glengarry Highland games

RKilt — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 14:46:52 +0000

Last weekend I was a vendor at North Americas largest highland games. It is hosted in a Maxville small town north of Cornwall Ontario. This year they had 62 pipe bands participating.

The beer tent alone can house over 5000 patrons, during the day it doubles up for the highland dancing competition venue.

This year I decided to upgrade to a larger piece of real estate and moved my booth to the north end. This enabled me to have 20″ of frontage which makes the booth that much more appealing.

Patrons soon fill up the colosseum and the hillsides to get there perfect view of the events.

Throughout the games, there are many pipers circles in preparation to the individual band competitions.

The games were open at 8:00am Friday morning and during that time the Tassie sporran proved to be a good seller, my stock of these depleted fast.

Likewise this novelty item, “Insta Kilt”. I was sold out of these shortly after lunch.

The mini leather kilt I had on display is a winner as well, took in a few orders for it. It was garnering a lot of attention and stroking whilst on display.

Overall sales were good, the tweed kilts were well received and I have a few orders of them to make, which makes me rather happy.

Saturday evening was the finale with the massed bands. All 62 bands on the feild made for and impressive sight and sound.

All in all a very good time except for a heavy rain storm on Friday night that damaged one of my display tents.

The tent is repaired and now preparations are being made for the Fergus Highland Games coming up Aug.12th-14th

Tweed all about it

Robert — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 21:12:07 +0000

It’s been rather busy at the shop but I have found some time to work on a new product. Soon I will be launching a tweed 6yd kilt line. I have just finished the prototype. This is 16 oz tweed 100% wool woven in Scotland with up to 35 patterns to choose from.

I just finished making a kilt in this pattern, and I must say it is a true joy to work with.

It is constructed in the same fashion as a tartan kilt, full under apron and full over apron with a fringe.

There are 20 plus pleats with a pleat depth of 5.5 inches. This one was pleated to the stripe and features a two strap and buckle closure. Celtic knot embossed straps are available at a nominal fee. You can also have a choice for the kilt to be made of double width cloth or for a surcharge single width.

I will be displaying this kilt at the Glengarry Highland games this coming weekend, July 30th and 31st
If you’re interested in the tweed email me, skype or phone and I will be happy to answer any questions

Filling the void

Robert — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 02:04:09 +0000

I do live in a unique town. Not only is Stratford home to the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, it is also home of the internationally famous Stratford Chef school.
I was asked today if I would make a Chef knife roll out of leather. This is essentially a case to hold knives, keeping them separate and protected. For us wrench guys think of a toolcase for wrenches and spanners that keeps them organized. each knife has a pocket, a flap comes over it and you roll it up to keep it compact with a tie.
My customer decided on British rebel tan, I added a bit of colour and laminated burgundy leather to protect the tips as well as make the tie strap
I made pockets for various size knives as well as for a sharpening steel

The top flap will fold over the long knives and is held in place with velcro on the edges

When all the knives are in place you roll the case and slide the tie strap through the dee rings

I also made an Initial brand for that personal touch.

Always something interesting happening at the shop.

Yes I do wear pants on occasion

Robert — Mon, 30 May 2011 17:18:15 +0000

It has come a shock to a few. Most of my friends have gotten used to me wearing a kilt full time and it always takes them aback when the see me in pants.
This is the reason I wear them

This past weekend I participated in “The Forbidden Ride” It was used to raise funds for Big Brothers in both Perth and Huron county. It’s a two day event, starting on Friday night. There’s a parade of bikes, show and shine and taking in a show at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
We gathered at the Festival Marketplace mall

Then we rode into City Centre and arrived at Market square

About 45 bikes attended this as it was threatening to rain for most of the evening
Met up with an old friend who rides a classic beemer circa 1973

Saturday Morning we gathered in Shakespeare and were given packages with maps, checkpoints and routes.
So here I am in pants

Then began the tour checking into various stores along the way
One of the stops was Treasures in Stratford

Also Chocolate Barrs (Received a truffle because I used foursquare to check in, they have a number of specials associated with foursquare)
One of my customers belongs to the RATS (triumph riders, many of them wear kilts at rallies) This is his bike a Triumph Rocket

It was a good ride the weather cooperated and we checked into a number of places in towns along the way

With the final stop in the evening in Goderich

Close to 200 bikes participated.
Looking forward to next year