Repairing a kilt yourself?

**davidg** · 27th January 12, 10:09 AM

You don't say HOW the pleats are stitched so I will assume they are not top stitched but sewn so the stitches are not visible from the outside

It may be too difficult a task for you to remove the lining and repair the stitching from inside so the best bet is to stitch invisibly from the outside. This is not particularly difficult to do but takes a steady hand, good eyesight and TINY stitches

From the outside, place the point of the needle about a quarter inch inside the pleat and bring the needle point out at the crease, right at the bottom of the fell (the bottom of the pleat). Carefully place the needle into the underlying fabric, keeping the pleat well aligned, and back out again about one eighth of an inch in the direction of the waistband (i.e. upwards), catching the top part of the pleat right at the crease. Re-insert the point of the needle downwards into the underlying fabric and repeat the previous step, moving up 1/8 inch and again catching the creased part of the upper pleat. The result should be invisible but if it is not, rip out the stitches and start again. You do not need to stitch through all the inner layers of canvas and lining, only the outer fabric

Sorry I don't have a picture but one of the other kilt makers may have something available to demonstrate what I mean

**Four** · 27th January 12, 11:03 AM

hm i see what you mean

If you look at the kilt here from the back its one of the stitching above the pleats... i guess it does look invisible. Maybe a tailor would be better than i

http://www.sportkilt.com/product/3351/Black-Watch-.html

**davidg** · 28th January 12, 03:46 AM

Originally Posted by Four

hm i see what you mean

If you look at the kilt here from the back its one of the stitching above the pleats... i guess it does look invisible. Maybe a tailor would be better than i

http://www.sportkilt.com/product/3351/Black-Watch-.html

What worries me is that this is a new kilt and the stitching should not have come loose so quickly. It could be because of poor workmanship and the stitches were not properly "locked" in place, or it could be to do with poor quality thread being used. Either way, the company who supplied you should really take responsibility and repair the kilt for you. Have you contacted them?

**tundramanq** · 28th January 12, 04:48 AM

I finally caught on that I it an Ultimate SK. No elastic I would contact Seamus at SK they will correct it. seamus@sportkilt.com They have been great to work with for me. I havent had stitch problems yet with my stretchy waist ones and my flannel comfys get worn a lot. They use the normal two thread machine lock stitch.

**tundramanq** · 30th January 12, 11:59 AM

Four I emailed Seamus at SK on this - his reply:

Hi Chuck,
Thanks for letting me know, and I would reply to him, but I forgot my XMarks password and had trouble trying to retrieve it. You are welcome to let him know that if he wants to mail it back to us, we will repair it and mail it back to him for free.

Regards,

Seamus

Sport Kilt
seamus@sportkilt.com

**Four** · 14th February 12, 07:20 AM

Originally Posted by tundramanq

Four I emailed Seamus at SK on this - his reply:

Hi Chuck,
Thanks for letting me know, and I would reply to him, but I forgot my XMarks password and had trouble trying to retrieve it. You are welcome to let him know that if he wants to mail it back to us, we will repair it and mail it back to him for free.

Regards,

Seamus

Sport Kilt
seamus@sportkilt.com

Thanks for the reply. For now my wife fixed it and it looks pretty good. I like the kilt so much i am hesitant to send it off