Phil Elcock
Bespoke kiltmaker
Arcata, CA
Fèileidhean Làmh-Dhèanta
In 2023 I was inspired to take up the needle and thread and learned to make my first kilt. Since then, I've been working to continuously improve my methods and learn from the teachings and experience of my seniors in the craft.
I make my kilts in the traditional style as solidified in the Victorian/Edwardian era. I base my techniques on the work of Captain (Ret.) Robert MacDonald, who was a military tailor for the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, and to whom much of my knowledge is credited.
Each kilt is stitched totally by hand to the client's exact measurements. The lining material is uniquely selected for each individual kilt, and I only use genuine tartan cloth imported from the UK.
I take great pride in my work, and I am always striving to improve my skills and techniques. The goal is to make heirloom quality kilts that you can enjoy for decades to come and that can be passed down through the generations.
I use all 8 yards of cloth in each kilt, and I deliberately leave generous seam allowances and deep turn-backs. This results in a garment that feels weighty, hangs well and is comfortable to wear.
My kilts are made so that they have a wide capacity for alteration, in case you should pass it down to your child or grandchild. In that event, I will alter it for the new owner free of charge.
Cianalas: facal cudromach anns a' Ghàidhlig
"Cianalas" is a word in Scottish Gaelic that describes something like a deep longing or nostalgia for your ancestral roots, places, or ways of life. I like to think of it as a sort of spiritual homesickness of the diaspora - a desire to reconnect, even if you've never actually lived there. Taking up this craft is my small way of reconnecting to my ancestors. Each tartan has a story to tell, and it is through those stories that we honor and remember the people and places from whence we came.
If you're interested in commissioning a kilt, please email me.
Please note that I can only do local, in-person commissions at this time. If you're out of what I would consider a reasonable travel distance, then I would happily recommend other reputable kiltmakers to you.
Notes on my design philosophy:
I typically do not include a hip strap or sporran loops. Hip straps are a vestigial leftover from WWI when soldier's kilts were made to sit far higher on the torso, almost to the ribs. There was an additional strap above the waist strap that kept that flap of cloth up and tucked under the soldier's web gear. As kilts evolved to sit on the natural waist, the straps were simply moved down: the waist strap became a "hip" strap, and that "rib" strap became the waist strap. They aren't actually necessary on a properly fitted kilt, they do little to secure it to the body, and I personally find the kilt is more comfortable to wear without it.
Sporran/belt loops are also unnecessary on a properly fitted kilt. Your kilt belt should be snug enough not to move, and your sporran shouldn't move either. The sporran should sit centered over your manhood, not so loose that it will bang back and forth between your legs or fall to the ground, and not so high that it doesn't rest between your legs when seated as to protect your modesty. I find that sporran loops, especially when used to hold the belt, will pull up on the pleats and disturb the lay, and if made loose to account for this then they become unsightly. That being said, I will add hip straps and sporran/belt loops upon request.
Tapadh leibh airson tighinn!
Thank you for visiting!