Altering a kilt

**LANCER1562** · 2nd July 12, 12:32 AM

My 30th High School Reunion is coming up in about three weeks and I have just discovered that my Kerr Modern tank which I wanted to wear that night has "grown" about three inches. I have used the search feature and read the various threads on how to shrink the waist. Most of the threads suggest moving "the apron edge buckle(s) and the under apron strap". My questions, then, are, where are the buckle(s) and strap that need to be moved, how much should they be moved to take the waist in by three inches, could I move all of the buckles (including the one near the botton hole) the same distance towards the back to attain the same result and on average how much would this alteration cost in terms of time and money?

Thank you for your advice.

**Paul Henry** · 2nd July 12, 12:52 AM

Sorry,I'm not quite sure what you are asking if you have already found threads on adjusting the waist.
If you need to make kilt smaller by 3" you move the buckle ( on the fell) that goes to the strap on the front apron edge by 3" around to the back, and you also move the strap on the inside apron by the same ammount.
The alteration is fairly quickly done, care needs to be exercised when removing the stitches not to damage the fabric, but it's not a difficult thing to do, just make sure when you re sew them on you go through into the canvas layers inside the kilt rather than just the top layer of cloth.

**xman** · 2nd July 12, 03:00 AM

The fringed apron edge buckle and the underapron strap are what need to be moved, but three inches is quite substantial change. I believe it would be best to have the aprons reshaped instead.

**LANCER1562** · 2nd July 12, 09:44 AM

I guess what I'm asking is, if the apron edge buckles are the ones on the right hip that hold the over apron closed and is the under apron strap the strap that goes through the "button hole" on the left hip?

If Barb Tewksberry can take in a kilt some 10.5 inches simply by moving a couple of buckles and straps, how is 3 inches a substantial adjustment?

**Father Bill** · 2nd July 12, 09:46 AM

I can't describe it well, but what I will say is that when you sew them back on, you need to be sure that you sew right through the stabilizer or you'll end up pulling the wool apart when you buckle up.

**Paul Henry** · 2nd July 12, 09:51 AM

3" isn't really such a substantial change, it's a reasonable ammount, but very possible. Of course given the chance we would all do thinkgs a little differetnly , but altering buckles and straps is a very sensible thing to do as it means you can still wear the kilt, whilst considering a new one! Altering the apron is possible of course, but it's a lot more work, and can change to "look" of a traditional kilt more than a little over lap of the apron on the pleats.

Yes,it's the buckle that attaches to the front apron strap (on the fringe) is the one you need to move, and the strap on the inner apron that goes through the hole. You have to move both by the same ammount which in your case is 3"

**LANCER1562** · 2nd July 12, 10:01 AM

Thank you Paul, that's what I thought. Now to find a seamstress/tailor to do the job and I will them to be sure the buckle and strap through the canvas and why. If all else fails, and can't get it done in time, I do have SWK Black Stewart that fits.

**LANCER1562** · 3rd July 12, 11:58 PM

Well, not only did my kilt grow, so did my Argyle jacket. I have an appointment with a local seamstress on Friday so she can look at the kilt to see if it's something she can do, she will also look at the jacket to see if she can take it any more than it already was last November.

**xman** · 4th July 12, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by LANCER1562

I guess what I'm asking is, if the apron edge buckles are the ones on the right hip that hold the over apron closed and is the under apron strap the strap that goes through the "button hole" on the left hip?

That's it.

Originally Posted by LANCER1562

If Barb Tewksberry can take in a kilt some 10.5 inches simply by moving a couple of buckles and straps, how is 3 inches a substantial adjustment?

Yeah what Paul said. I might be a bit biased because I had to move the buckle & strap on one of my kilts 2" and it seems like as much as I could get away with, but that was from 34" to 32". 3" on a slimmer gent is a longer way to go.