Moving Buckles

[lukeyrobertson]

I need your advice dear Rabble. I have lost some weight and this means that I am on my last hole on the kilt straps. It is as far as I can go and the kilts fit borderline loose--still stay up, but I do have to adjust them up from time to time. I have read that it's a fairly easy thing to move the buckles. If this is done, does it really work? Will the kilt still fit right? Will the moved buckles look like they've been moved, ie., stitching showing? I'm a bit nervous about pursuing this, because of course they are prized garments and I want them to look good. I would ask a local kilt maker to do this, but I need to know what I am getting into and what kind of result I can expect. Thank you for your help dear friends. David

[madmacs]

Yep easy to do...

Your belt loops may no longer be equally spaced... If you were pleated to the sett it might not be centered on the back anymore... But at least it will still be wearable.

I think Barb did a post on moving buckles...

[Downunder Kilt]

Madmacs is correct, there are a number of threads in relation to moving the buckles, one was quite recent. You have to move all the buckles the same amount. In the most recent thread it was suggested that the left hand side buckle should be placed inside the kilt waistband, a la Matt Newsome's box pleated kilts, so you don't have to cut a new strap hole for your alterations

[lukeyrobertson]

Thanks guys for the heads up re: other posts on this subject. For some reason they didn't pop up on the search. So did it again and yes, there are the related threads. I think this would be something like going from a 34" to a 32" waist ('ish). Not a huge move. But I'm uncomfortable with the thought. My most expensive kilt is pleated to the sett. I hate the thought of messing with these garments, that's why I'm needing some advice/assurance from those who have done it. I am quite fussy about the look and don't want to muck around too much.

[The Wizard of BC]

When you are re-sizing a kilt to make it smaller, you remove and re-locate-

The two buckles on the right side of the kilt -
and the leather strap on the under apron left edge.

1) Carefully, with a sharp knife, razor blade, exacto or olfa knife, or a pair of small, sharp pointed scissors cut the stitches holding the two buckles and the strap.

It may help to pull on the buckle lightly to expose the stitches themselves so you do not cut the fabric.

Take a look at the stitches that sew the tabs on. You will need to sew the tabs back on so try to remember where the original stitches are.

When you have the buckles and strap off take a pair of tweezer and pull out all the loose threads.


2) Put the kilt on as normal allowing the outer apron to overlap as necessary.

With a piece of chalk such as standard blackboard chalk sharpened to a chisel edge, mark the left edge of the apron where it now overlaps on the right side of the kilt.

It may help to twist the kilt slightly on your body so you can see where you mark or have someone make the marks for you.

Take the kilt off and lay it on a table.


3) Place to two, now loose buckles and their associated tabs, back onto the straps in the center hole.

4) Align the right outer apron with the marks you made in step two.

With your chalk mark the new positions of the buckle tabs.

Insure that the position up and down, is the same height as they were originally. You can use the existing straps to insure the position is correct.


5) With a needle and matching thread sew the buckle tabs back onto the kilt.

When choosing the color of thread get as close to the predominant color of the tabs as you can. If you can't get an exact color match, select a color slightly darker.

When sewing the tabs back on, use the smallest stitches you can. Sew right next to the edge of the tabs. The idea is to make small stitches and make them invisible.

When sewing remember to go all the way though the outer layer of Tartan fabric, completely through the stabilizer inside the kilt. If you don't understand this please see the tutorial found here.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...t=break+period

6) Sew the under apron strap back on.

Slip the strap you removed through the strap hole and into the left buckles' center hole.

Fasten the outer apron straps into the buckles you just sewed back on. and smooth the two aprons

Holding the aprons aligned reach between the two aprons and with the chalk mark the new position of the strap on the front of the under apron.

Take the strap out of the buckle and lay it on the under apron aligned with the the chalk mark.

Sew the strap onto the under.

Remember to sew all the way through, the interfacing behind the outer Tartan fabric.


Viola!!!! you have just re-sized your kilt.

[crash]

David, Congratulations on the weight loss, assuming it was intentional. Having to downsize a kilt is a good problem to have.

[Mickey]

I've done it myself and it is very simple, and takes very little time. Have to do it on a few more kilts too. Just follow the Wizard's instructions.

[lukeyrobertson]

Thanks everyone. Thanks Steve! I have found the othe threads, too. Weight loss--well, it turns out I'm celiac and that means no gluten. Even though I did not need to lose weight, I did. So... hence the conundrum about moving buckles. I am grateful that I am well, in good form and able to remain active and relatively fit.