Buckle mishap-Will leather do?

[NorCalPiper]

So I completed a Box Pleat kilt using 18 OZ MoD Leslie Tartan. I was feeling absolutely awesome about how it turned out....until...it came time to put the buckles on. I literally used every inch of the material, even the waist trim material! So when I grabbed the buckles and instinctively began groping for the spare material that usually is folded on the corner of my table. After a second of being dumbfounded, I realized the only left over were the 2 ends of the trim that I cut befor folding under and stitching.
I have 2 options-Search down more of this material....Seems like a lot to spend for buckle straps. 2nd option is to make leather buckle straps. I personally have seen this on an old Black Watch kilt. Is this a major no-no?

[cruiser348]

Not sure if it would be traditionally acceptable, but I have seen it done before and thought it looked just fine. I certainly agree that to get the proper material (unless someone here happens to have some scrap in the material you used) would be an awfully expensive option for what you are needing.
You might consider seeing if anyone here has a couple scraps of the material that they can spare for your benefit if you truly want to do fabric.

[TheBrus]

The MOD kilts I have seen have had buckles attached with a black fabric. Not sure of its composition, however. Did you bind the top with tartan or green twill binding?

[billmcc]

I bought a 5-yard wool kilt from a website in Scotland a few years ago. The buckles on that kilt were attached with bias binding tape. The color of the tape was almost the same as the main color of the tartan. I think bias tape would be a better choice than leather.

[NorCalPiper]

Hmmmm.......Good suggestions. It's actually an old style 4 yard box pleat-NOT a military BP. I actually thought about using green twill binding, but opted for tartan trim. The problem is that this 18 Oz material has a certain hand that will be hard to match with anything less. I'll maybe get a couple of options dummied up and get a general opinion.

[davidg]

Depending on the tartan you may be able to buy a small swatch or two from the mill. Lochcarron, for example, will sell you a small square of the tartan for around $2 plus postage

There are also some kilt buckles around that already come with a black leather attachment included. Not quite traditional but frequently used on ladies kilt skirts and the cheaper PV kilts. Have a look here for what I mean http://www.jwoodleathers.co.uk/prods/kiltstrap16a.html

[Jock Scot]

No, it not a no-no in my view and I used to have a kilt with leather buckle straps and frankly never gave it a thought. I suppose if you are making the kilt specifically for a customer then you ought really to discuss it with him.

[Redshank]

to my mind I always think buckles attached to the kilt with fabric looks wrong and cheap, I much prefer and specify leather straps on buckles.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

It is not unusual to see solid color cloth used to attach the buckles. Solid black cloth (use a heavy duty cloth like a canvas) is most common. After all, when the straps are fastened to the buckles no one sees how they are attached anyway.

I see no reason why not to use leather, if that is what you prefer.

I think the reason why tartan cloth is so common today is that a) you generally have the material ready at hand from making the kilt, and b) seeing how the kiltmaker matched up the tartan pattern on the buckle straps just lets you know about their attention to detail.

[Oddern]

Wich Leslie tartan are you refering to? If it's Leslie Hunting I think I have some cut outs from my own kilt in the same material. I'm going away for the weekend but can drop it in the mail to you on Monday if you PM your adress to me. I live in Norway, but it should reach you in a few days if I send it as a letter.
Skål!