What are the Benifits of a floating apron

[Nkthompson]

What are the benifits of a floating apron?
thoughts appreciated.

[unixken]

By "floating apron", do we assume you mean NOT pinning the outer apron to the inner apron? If that's what you mean, then the "benefit", chief among all, is so that you don't rip the aprons, with the pin. The outer apron is meant to float free over the inner apron, as you move. Pinning the two together will prevent them from doing so, and will cause the pin to tear the aprons.

[Father Bill]

It's not a term that I recognize; can you help us out with this?

[ratspike]

Floating apron, or floating waistband, is a term sometimes used to refer to not having a fastener at the waist. It's awesome because it's more or less infinitely adjustable and some people find it really comfy. Other people find it really annoying because it requires you to always wear a belt. A few of my kilts are made this way and I really like it, but it's not something I'd want if it was my only kilt.

I've also seen the term floating apron used to describe only sewing the apron down at the waistband, and not sewing it the length of the fell like the pleats. The idea being that the apron is able to move however it needs to, without any binding or anything at the hip. I've never tried it and while I understand the idea, I'd think the apron would just be all over the place. I may unstitch one of mine just to see what happens. As far as I know this is a modern kilt thing and wouldn't apply to a traditional kilt.

It may also mean an apron that's detachable, like what Kilt This does. From what I can decipher, it's basically a kilt without a permanently attached front apron. The pleats wrap all the way around and is fastened, then the apron is attached to the front with side release buckles or snaps. There wouldn't be any advantage to a kilt like this, other than giving the designer something gimmicky to present as a unique feature.

[Norbo]

I thought you meant the sporran straps that go on belt instead of the chain style . Never used them my self but they look ok .

[Stitchwiz]

There wouldn't be any advantage to a kilt like this, other than giving the designer something gimmicky to present as a unique feature.

If the description you gave is accurate, there is one advantage that I can see - since the apron probably gets dirtier faster than the rest of the kilt, you could have the apron dry cleaned without the rest of the kilt.

My biggest concern when it comes to dry cleaning any pleated garment is what happens when the pleats aren't basted before the garment goes to the cleaners. I have seen several kilts that looked dreadful due to incorrect pressing techniques. With a detachable or floating apron, you can say goodbye the this problem, and save yourself some money in the process.

Now what is the next kilt you are thinking about...

[ratspike]

Everything I posted applies only to modern style kilts, so basting and dry cleaning is out the window. After I replied I noticed the OP's other thread with the canvas kilt he just made, so my guess is the floating apron in something like what Kilt This does.

[Tarheel]

The obvious pros and cons I see are:
Pro: Easier cleaning for the single part of the garment that gets dirtiest most by being detachable.
con: More wear and color distortion on the apron compared to the rest of the kilt.
Pro: Easier to replace with new apron if above factors occur.
con: Limits kilt to specific uses, ie. work apparel only.

Otherwise I like the idea of new designs for clothes if they are practical.

[Nkthompson]

You guys and gals are awesome, I am still relatively new the the kilted world. When I said floating apron i did indeed mean an apron that is separately attached to the kilt, the kilt is a full wrap but with a (floating apron) i was thinking that I could get a yard of each of my family tartans and make aprons that I can change out as it pleases myself and that indeed when an apron gets dirty (as i plan to wear these to work on a regular basis as i do now) its primarily the apron that needs cleaning and if I have several I can take one off and put another one on.

[ratspike]

No reason not to give it a shot and see how you like it. One thing to note, assuming you're using Kilt This as a template, is the three sets of buckles or snaps they use to attach the front apron. From what I've seen the lower ones often sit below the hips, which you don't want. I'd do the first set of fasteners just below the top of the waistband and the second set right at or even a little bit above the hips.