Welcome to Iris Hill Tailoring, LLC
My name is May Lyn Wake, some people call me Iris… Iris Hill. But, the name of the company comes from my love of irises and living on a hill. I live in the mountains of North Carolina, but I’ve lived here, here, and here. I was a Navy brat growing up and I just kept on moving. I do love where I live.
I make kilts for people all over the country. I look forward to helping you with your kilt needs.
My company began during the pandemic. I made masks, period clothes for Colonial Williamsburg, and bespoke kilts.
Today, I focus on bespoke kilts: a kilt made specifically to your measurements; and I alter kilts to your measurements.
Each pleat is hand-stitched. Every fringe is hand-picked. My kilts are made in the traditional manner with 100% Scottish wool imported from Scotland. The pleats are stitched on the right side of the tartan with your right-hand. I am a non-traditional kiltmaker in that I am left-handed, but still need to stitch the pleats right-handed. Back in the day, a left-handed person need not apply for an apprenticeship to a kiltmaker.
Altering kilts… can be a bit tricky… but not impossible. A lot of labor goes into altering a kilt. First, taking it apart and then re-sizing it. It could be a simple fix or not… but it could run somewhere between $50.00-350.00… prices vary depending on the extent of the alteration.


Folk Art Center, Asheville, NC
In 2024 I was accepted into the Southern Highland Craft Guild. A guild that celebrates crafts of the Appalachia Mtns. I am the only kiltmaker. They are a great organization. I am able to talk about kilts and tartan at the Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I’ll be doing demonstrations again in 2026. Stay tuned for a schedule.
https://southernhighlandcraftguild.org
Contact me at: may@IrisHillTailoring.com
And find me on LinkedIn.com
