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  1. #1
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    Shrinking a kilt------on PURPOSE?

    Here's an off-the-wall question.......has anyone ever tried to shrink their kilt on PURPOSE as opposed to having it hemmed?
    It's probably a bad idea but I just thought I'd toss it out for discussion. I recently got a heavyweight Stillwater and it could probably be about an inch shorter optimally but I've been just hiking it up a bit for now.
    It's being worn on the tightest holes on the buckles so shrinkage in that direction *might* be ok in that direction as well but primarily I was wondering if it might be possible to shrink it a bit at least in length on purpose.
    Any thoughts?
    "Fide et Fortitudine"
    (fidelity & fortitude)
    ALBA GU BRAW!!!!!

  2. #2
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    hemming would likely be less than the replacement kilt
    Order of the Dandelion, The Houston Area Kilt Society, Bald Rabble in Kilts, Kilted Texas Rabble Rousers, The Flatcap Confederation, Kilted Playtron Group.
    "If you’re going to talk the talk, you’ve got to walk the walk"

  3. #3
    Paul Henry is offline Membership Revoked for repeated rule violations.
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    It's not likely to be very successful, I wouldn't even consider it.There are too many variables and you won't be in charge of many of them!
    Last edited by Paul Henry; 21st May 12 at 11:14 PM.

  4. #4
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    Yeah, this would likely not turn out well. For starters, assuming the cloth shrank uniformly all over (which is not guaranteed), you'd likely get some bunching and wrinkling at stitch lines in the fell. Because the stitching probably isn't going to magically shrink in proportion to the cloth. And the pleats would probably get all out of whack too.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by Muddy View Post
    I was wondering if it might be possible to shrink it a bit at least in length on purpose.
    Any thoughts?
    I have seen a kilt that was shrunk. The fabric gets thicker and stiffer. Nothing magically disappears, the weight of the kilt will stay the same - it will just be in a smaller area.

    Regards

    Chas

  6. #6
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    Years ago, I bought a one-off prototype of a wool blend kilt from one of our forum sponsors (noted for his preternaturally fast delivery)...either I slimmed down or it stretched out a little but it was getting a tad loose...figuring that I had nothing to lose, I washed it by hand in a bucket, spun the excess water out in the washing machine and tossed it in the dryer on "very low"...figured it might tighten it up a bit and that I'd just have the inconvenience of having to press the pleats when I was done. Came out of the dryer with all of the pleats in perfect condition BUT it didn't shrink a bit. Fascinating....

    Best

    AA
    ANOTHER KILTED LEBOWSKI AND...HEY, CAREFUL, MAN, THERE'S A BEVERAGE HERE!

  7. #7
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    One of the problems with trying it shrink wool is that it doesn't just shrink - it "felts". You don't want a kilt that feels like felt instead of like wool worsted.
    Last edited by Barb T; 22nd May 12 at 08:54 AM.
    Kiltmaker, piper, and geologist (one of the few, the proud, with brains for rocks....
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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by auld argonian View Post
    Years ago, I bought a one-off prototype of a wool blend kilt from one of our forum sponsors (noted for his preternaturally fast delivery)...either I slimmed down or it stretched out a little but it was getting a tad loose...figuring that I had nothing to lose, I washed it by hand in a bucket, spun the excess water out in the washing machine and tossed it in the dryer on "very low"...figured it might tighten it up a bit and that I'd just have the inconvenience of having to press the pleats when I was done. Came out of the dryer with all of the pleats in perfect condition BUT it didn't shrink a bit. Fascinating....

    Fascinating indeed, and, exactly the sort of personal experience I was hoping to hear. Thanks Auld Argonian.

    Best

    AA
    "Fide et Fortitudine"
    (fidelity & fortitude)
    ALBA GU BRAW!!!!!

  9. #9
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    Bad idea IMHO

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