Kilt apron needs replacing.

[bodgerac]

My MacDonald 16oz wool kilt is in excellent condition, except for ragged fraying of the apron where the waist-belt has worn it. The original maker says it is uneconomical to repair, but If I get a yard of matching tartan from Scotweb, is there a problem with cutting out the complete apron, and sewing in the new, joining it at the first pleat?

[HarveyH]

I think that this could be quite a lot of work.

Matching the tartan will, perhaps, not be as simple as just getting a yard from Scotweb. If you are sure of the original weaver it should be possible to match(ish) the tartan.

That is, I think, going to be the easy bit. You are going to need to detach the waistband and explore the how the pleats have been constructed. Stitching at the first pleat may not be as simple as it appears, it will depend how the Kilt maker has put in stabilizer and the lining as to just how much work is involved.

I'm sure it might be possible to do, but how confident are you with a needle and thread?

If you can find a local tailor or kiltmaker who does alterations, they might be able to give you advice on how to do this or to price it for you. It would be quite a lot of fiddly work, so I can understand why your kilt maker might have said it would be uneconomical to do.

[The Wizard of BC]

As was mentioned. To replace an apron you should get the fabric from the same weaver as produced the original.

If the original maker does not feel it is repairable can you ask where they purchased the fabric?
If they are unwilling to tell you can you post the name of the original maker?

Dye lots, size of Sett and any adjustments to the Sett are the main reasons.

Can you post a photo of the frayed parts of the kilt for us. I have repaired holes as large as 3" on front aprons where a sporran strap wore holes. So it can be repaired.

[MacRobert's Reply]

An elderly acquaintance of mine found that the front apron of his kilt had been attacked by moths. His wife, a retired interior designer who is very skilled with fabrics, successfully swapped the under apron for the damaged front apron.

[Jock Scot]

Reversing the apron was/still is common practice in this situation in the highlands and provides a new lease of life for many a kilt. Don't believe me? There is a super picture of the late Lord Lovat wearing a kilt with a reversed apron and a rather battered tweed jacket that appears here on occasion.

[bodgerac]

Hi Steve, I have inserted white paper to highlight the wear. The photo does not do the kilt justice; over all, kilt.jpg
it is in excellent condition.

[bonnie heather]

Please measure how many inches of fabric there is on the apron facing and the deep pleat under the seam side of the apron at hip level. Then please do the same with the underapron.
I've done lots and lots of kilt repairs and alterations, including swapping the aprons and it should be possible to do that IF there is enough fabric. That way, the undamaged under apron would be moved to the apron position and the damaged apron could be patched from behind and moved to the under apron position. Of course another factor would be to have the tartan pattern balanced in the center of the "new" apron.

[bodgerac]

Thank you, Bonnie Heather. If I can find a local seamstress to take it on, I will contact the original maker, MacKay and Stuart of Renfrew for material. Henry, the wear is in the front, so the pleats will not be disturbed. Will let you know how I get on.