Hand Stitched vs Machine Stitched Kilts

Does a kilt need to be hand stitched to be a real kilt? There is a lot of debate in the kilt industry and even the Scottish media, just what makes a kilt?

Some argue that a kilt must be made in Scotland, be made from at least 8 yards of tartan fabric and be hand stitched. However like many aspects of this ancient piece of clothing, there are no set rules which define the kilt. Today you can find kilts which appear to break all of these rules yet can still rightly be called kilts.

To many, the definition of a kilt boils down to a few details. For instance the construction technique. Hand stitched or machine stitched?

While machine stitching ensures a more consistent and even result, which is what most people look for, purists maintain that a good quality hand stitched kilt cannot be beaten. Despite the subtle unevenness hand stitching produces, a lot of people agree that it gives the kilt a certain crafted quality and there is an undoubted satisfaction to be had knowing your kilt was lovingly made by hand. Also, for particularly heavy or regimental kilts it is best if the kilt is stitched by hand.

Even so, you can easily find machine stitched kilts which are expertly made to a similar standard. It's also worth noting that all machine stitched kilts require some level of hand stitched finishing.