Kilt alteration question

[fluter]

How tall is the lad? If the skirt is too long/short, it won't look right as a kilt. It should hit just at the top of the kneecap, no lower than mid-knee.

You'll be working with waist, hips, and length measurements. Waist should be at the natural waist, around the navel on most guys; it can be fudged up or down a bit to accomodate the length. If the young man is pretty tubular, he may want a belt to help keep things steady!

Stillwater is a good option. Their standard length is 24 inches (can be hemmed shorter). The Thrifty model is just that, fastens with hook and loop, and is quite flexible. There are youth sizes (shorter length). The standard model only goes down to a 30 inch waist, but you can adapt it for an inch smaller by moving a strap and a buckle. They are washable acrylic fabric.

USA Kilts may have a ready made kilt that would fit, you'd need to call or e-mail with size info. They are conveniently on sale and washable, a polyester rayon blend.

Another option, if you can find some suitable fabric, is to make a philabeg or even a belted plaid by folding the pleats and wrapping it up with a belt. You can embellish this by tacking down the pleats, adding a strap, Velcro, belt loops, and so on. See our mentor Matt Newsome's article on the evolution of the kilt (and much more on his Web site).