Curse You Kilt Pin! - Preventing Kilt Pin Damage

[BEDickey1337]

Anyone who has worn a kilt for any length of time that wears a kilt pin knows the feeling. Whether its watching a small hole start where the pin goes through the fabric or fraying at the point, it's painful to see. I have found a way that seems to help however, it also helps to prevent holes, fraying, tears caused by kilt pins. It also prevents you from losing the pin if it comes unclasped.

Note this does present its own problems, but I feel the benefits far out weight the risk.

To do this, you simply add a tiny piece of elastic band as shown in the picture below.

KiltPin.jpg

@Madadh Also had a similar, good idea.

I find a small piece of leather also does the trick, especially for the large safety pins.

@The Wizard of BC had the following sage advice on this issue.

I have begun to make all my kilts with extra, 4 inch, wide apron facings to serve as re-inforcment behind the kilt pin.

I then use a piece of wide rubber band, or in this case a piece cut from the disposable tourniquet from a blood lab, to keep the pin in place just in case it comes open.

In the old days, the military would use a piece of canvas, or anything close at hand, as a kilt pin backing.

[Madadh]

I find a small piece of leather also does the trick, especially for the large safety pins.

[neloon]

Just give up the kilt pin - it's totally unnecessary. I never wear one.

Alan

[BEDickey1337]

Just give up the kilt pin - it's totally unnecessary. I never wear one.

Alan

I would but for the fact the wind from riding my bicycle requires it to prevent everything from flying around.

[neloon]

I would but for the fact the wind from riding my bicycle requires it to prevent everything from flying around.

I've never found it a problem cycling in a kilt which most of us did to and from school in younger days.

Alan

[BEDickey1337]

I've never found it a problem cycling in a kilt which most of us did to and from school in younger days.

Alan

Really? That's very interesting, I would have thought that to be a bit issue. I must mention I also move my sporran to my left side, as it can wrinkle the apron if you ride everyday from my experience. The pin helps to make up for that a bit.

I may have to give this a try, knowing how windy it gets across the pond. To be honest I like the look of the kilt pin as well. Thanks for the info!

[The Wizard of BC]

I have begun to make all my kilts with extra, 4 inch, wide apron facings to serve as re-inforcment behind the kilt pin.

I then use a piece of wide rubber band, or in this case a piece cut from the disposable tourniquet from a blood lab, to keep the pin in place just in case it comes open.

[BEDickey1337]

I have begun to make all my kilts with extra, 4 inch, wide apron facings to serve as re-reinforcement behind the kilt pin.

I really like this idea. What are your thoughts on reinforcing the proper section of the front apron using the felting repair technique you have described elsewhere to help prevent issue in lieu of this if I may ask?

[The Wizard of BC]

In the old days, the military would use a piece of canvas, or anything close at hand, as a kilt pin backing.

[OC Richard]

I have found a way that...helps to prevent holes, fraying, tears caused by kilt pins.

I have found a very effective way to prevent these things... leave my kilt pin in a cabinet

I'm a form-follows-function sort of person, and I've tried to pare my Highland outfit of as many unnecessary do-dads as possible.

The only pin I wear is the cap-badge on my Glengarry, because I feel the Glengarry looks strange without it. Of course a similar case could be made for a kilt looking odd or incomplete without a kilt pin. But I have tradition on my side- Glengarries have nearly always been worn with cap-badges, but kilt pins only came into widespread vogue in the 20th century and most military kilts have always lacked them.