What was in the heavy box?

**sorcererdale** · 21st December 06, 10:26 AM

I just had a priority box delivered to me by the mail man. He was surprised too how heavy it was. I didn't know what it was either until I looked at the return address; USA Kilts. It is my first tartan, Buccleuch, a sporran and green kilt hose. The chain and sporran added to the weight.

I just tried it on and it feels like I am naked as the material is so much lighter in weight than the Utilikilts I have. I hope I don't freeze. The UK's were so warm and heavy.

The sporran is made really well and I really like the magnetic snap!! The chain for the sporran is way too long, so here is a question -

Do I put the clips on each end in about 6 - 8 inches and let the chain ends hang behind the sporran or do I cut a link and make it shorter that way?

The other thing, and I mentioned this to Rocky too, is that the USA Kilts patch is right where one would put the kilt pin. I was so excited to wear my first kilt pin, a sword and later the XMarkstheScott pin, but I don't think it would look good pined over the patch. Maybe they can make the patch optional or removable.

I will post pictures later. I am wearing it Christmas eve to my parents, then to church and Christmas Day to our family gathering at my wife's sister's. Should be interesting.

DALE.

**Panache** · 21st December 06, 10:33 AM

Dale,

Congratulations on your first tartan kilt.

I highly recommend you head over to Target or Walmart and pick up a 3/4" wide ladies leather belt and use that for a sporran strap. The chains are for dress occassions and can be hard on the kilt. Failing that, when I have adjusted my chain strap I did so by trimming the leather belt section in the back and adding a new hole for the buckle.

Looking forward to seeing pictures of your new outfit.

Cheers

**cavscout** · 21st December 06, 10:36 AM

Congratulations on that new kilt. I was amazed at how lite it was also but I got used to it quickly and really enjoy a lite option. I've not had any problems with cold around the freezing mark.

The chain needs to go. It will frustrate you beyond belief trying to put it on and take it off. I suggest at least a thin belt to allow you to unbuckle it but my preference is a strap similar to the ones I make. Check out the links in my signature. The other one I highly recommend are the ones Robert at R-kilts makes that are braided. Very nice looking and easy to wear.

Let's see some pics of that kilt too.

**Bob C** · 21st December 06, 10:51 AM

I'm with the other guys on the sporran strap - get one. You may want to use the chain on dressier occasions, though. Shorten it by removing links.

It's too bad about the patch. Can you remove it without damaging the kilt?

**arrogcow** · 21st December 06, 10:54 AM

Cavscout is being modest. His straps are great (I'm getting one for Christmas from the MIL, but it was shipped to me, and I did have to check size). I have dome the shorten the chain thing, but the clips on most chains won't hold a fully loaded sporran (and my Freelander just laughed at the chain, I had to buy a belt the day it came).

Adam

**Frank MacDuffy** · 21st December 06, 10:53 AM

Congrats on the new kilt, I'm a bit jealous, I've been dying just to order my USAK but I can't 'till after Christmas (it's a funny and tragic story

).

**sorcererdale** · 21st December 06, 12:56 PM

Here is what Rocky said, "
The weight of the material is actually the same or heavier than the UK fabric (they use 9 oz cotton and 11 oz cotton duck) and this is 11 oz PV. The difference in weight is from the extra pleats (the have a smaller apron, so they need more pleats) and the pockets and "metal bits".

I found an old, narrow belt but have to figure out one of the ends to make it hook onto the sporran. If I can find the screw in snaps type thingy as on some belts, I won't have a problem. I will ask my wife to look when she shops on Saturday.

DALE.

Originally Posted by cavscout

Congratulations on that new kilt. I was amazed at how lite it was also but I got used to it quickly and really enjoy a lite option. I've not had any problems with cold around the freezing mark.

The chain needs to go. It will frustrate you beyond belief trying to put it on and take it off. I suggest at least a thin belt to allow you to unbuckle it but my preference is a strap similar to the ones I make. Check out the links in my signature. The other one I highly recommend are the ones Robert at R-kilts makes that are braided. Very nice looking and easy to wear.

Let's see some pics of that kilt too.

**RockyR** · 21st December 06, 01:03 PM

To answer the other question... yes, the patch can be taken off without damaging the kilt... simply take it to a dry cleaner with a "tailoring service" (most do) and ask them to take it off. It's a 2 minute process.

Alternatively, get a seam ripper at your local sewing store / kmart / wherever and carefully rip the stitches.

For future refference (and for everyone else here reading)... if you want us to leave it off, just ask! We'll gladly leave the patch off the kilt (it'll save us $1.85 for the patch!).

**Panache** · 21st December 06, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by sorcererdale

I found an old, narrow belt but have to figure out one of the ends to make it hook onto the sporran. If I can find the screw in snaps type thingy as on some belts, I won't have a problem. I will ask my wife to look when she shops on Saturday.

DALE.

Dale,

I just removed the short belt thingy with the loops and threaded the thin belt through the back of the loop of the sporran. If it's a leather belt it will fall into the right place pretty quickly.

Cheers

**McMurdo** · 21st December 06, 11:38 AM

Congratulatons on the new kilt,
I would agree with replacing the chain, you wont find one any where near my kilt. I only use leather sporran belts, unless it's a wedding, or funeral.
Please post pics when you can.
Enjoy.