RKilts

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

One of a kind tartan kilt with cargo pockets

Robert — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 17:30:11 +0000

Yes indeed this will be one of a kind. I have been asked a number of times to make a tartan cargo kilt, and finally I caved! It turned out rather well but adapting the RKilt original to a tartan version is a lot of work so I’m unlikely to do it again unless I’m paid an exorbitant price.
This was done in a 16oz strome MacDonald of Clanranald, wonderful fabric to work with though the sett makes pleating a challenge. I chose to pleat it to the double stripe and it is a reverse kingussie pleating which is the standard pleating in all the kilts I make

The cargo pockets are done to the sett

It has all the hardware and leather that is found on the original RKilt version, dee ring, dog clip, tool straps rivets, pockets inside the cargo pocket as well.

This is a special order item, I may or may not build it depending on the day, a bottle of single malt will also need to be included in the transaction. just sayin’
It can be done but does take considerably longer to build.
Cheers

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.”

Got Kilt! Gotta hit the trails

Robert — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 18:13:41 +0000

Earlier this summer I was walking up York Street and a young couple in a 4×4 stop dead in the street and asked me where I got my kilt. I indicated my shop which was just a few paces away….”.Really! I gotta come in and see your shop” They went to park and I went back into the shop. They came in and I had to look up…. no really I was standing up and I had to look up to this fellow, he just cleared the door opening. He wanted a kilt and wanted to be able to ride it on his bike. Fine by me, I took his measurements and built him one.
He took delivery of it today, this time arriving on his motorcycle. It’s 12 degrees C warming up to 16C. Ingram comes into the shop with a big smile on his face, just itching to get his kilt on, walk around town then ride home wearing his kilt.

I’m standing on higher ground in this shot, (you wouldn’t know I was 6″2″)

He had to move his bike to the parking lot and of course a few photos were taken caused a few stares from the folk on the street.

The kilt matches his bike, rugged, utilitarian, colour.

Not sure how he made out on the ride home, but I’m sure I’ll get a report.

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