I need help!

**Kilted Cole** · 25th November 13, 06:44 PM

Hey Rabble, I need some advice...one of my favorite kilts is showing some wear and tear.....How do i fix this?!?!

IMG_20131125_123505.jpg IMG_20131125_123519.jpg

**Pleater** · 26th November 13, 04:27 AM

The failed stitching should not be difficult to repair, but it could be the result of the inner foundation being inadequate to take the strain, or some part of the stitching of it failing.

Look carefully for why it has parted just there in order to prevent it happening again, or even worse damage being caused in future.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Tobus** · 26th November 13, 07:36 AM

Oh boy... First, read the thread at the top of this forum, titled "Do kilts have a break-in period?". You'll see some great info about kilt construction. I'm betting that your kilt, like mine in that thread, was made without some of the more important components. The only way to fix it is to deconstruct it like Steve did to mine and install the parts it needs.

This is why budget kilts are no bargain.

Edited to add: I don't know if your kilt is well made or not, and don't mean to imply that it isn't, necessarily. Someone who makes kilts can answer it better than me. But stress wear near buckle points is often a sign of inferior construction. It may not be in your case. But it's worth investigating anyway.

**Kilted Cole** · 26th November 13, 07:55 AM

If it was just the stitching I'd fix it my self...but its the wool its self that is starting to fray. like the straps are cutting into the kilt its self.

**cable scot** · 26th November 13, 08:18 AM

I think Tobus may be right. You may want to send it out for repair. Where was it purchased? If they make the kilt in house maybe they will repair it, if not Bonnie Greene does repair work and there are a few others who can as well. This sucks! But fear not it can be repaired, you just need a pro to help.

**Kilted Cole** · 26th November 13, 08:22 AM

Scottishtartanstore from ebay.....I have another kilt from them thats fine......might have something to do with how often I wear this kilt. lol.....To be honest......I thought about super glue. lol. I just want to know how to fix the wool that is being cut into.

**AZ kilted** · 26th November 13, 11:58 AM

Tobus,
It was your thread, "Do kilts have abreak in period" that prompted me to inspect the kilts I had recently purchased. Come to find out, there was nothing under the lining. Soooo....I haven't worn them since and am trying to get up the nerve to undertake the repair myself. I was unable to find hair canvas at the Joanne's in my area, but I did find something called Pellon, which looks like it should work, although I think it may be thicker than I really need.
Good luck, Cole! I hope you have good results.

**RockyR** · 30th November 13, 06:46 PM

When you strap a kilt on, put the leather strap through the hole in the kilt AND THE BUCKLE at the same time, THEN pull the strap hard to cinch it down. It looks like you've been putting the strap through the hole (and not the buckle) and pull it back on itself to cinch it (and then you put it through the buckle after).

When you put it through the hole only and pull backwards toward the apron, you put all the stress on the stitches above and below the hole, which it's not designed to take. I am willing to bet from the picture that's why the stitching failed.

**Barb T** · 30th November 13, 08:29 PM

I was just going to say the same thing that Rocky did! We have quite a few people in our band who have gotten into the habit of pulling on the buttonhole, instead of the buckle, and the damage is like that shown in your pic.

**The Wizard of BC** · 30th November 13, 11:08 PM

I'm going the toss this out only as an idea. Don't take it serious if you don't want.

I have converted all my own kilts and the entire production of Freedom Kilts over to internal left straps.

What you do it gently cut the stitching holding the buckle tab on.

Then you cut the stitching holding the strap onto the underapron.

Go find some thread matching the color of your kilt.

Sew the strap hole closed. Don't worry about it being strong enough you are going to eliminate almost all the stress in the area.
If you are handy with a needle and thread and feel adventerous take out enough stitching around the liner inside the kilt to gain access to the inside of the pleats. Usually enough to fit a couple of fingers in there.

Find the small length of fabric on the back of the pleats that is sewn back on itself. Steam this out and lay it flat like all the rest.
You can now stitch the entire hole closed.

Sew the hole in the lining closed. Don't worry about being too neat here, no one will ever see it.

When this is done sew the buckle tab onto the underapron about where the strap used to be. Sew all the way through the kilt and liner on the inside.

Then find a piece of chalk board chalk or something else that will wash off the liner fabric.
Put the kilt on and fasten the right straps as you like them.
reach inside the kilt at the left side of the underapron and make a mark on the liner where the left strap now lines up.

Take the kilt off and sew the strap to the mark. Sew all the way through the kilt. It does not matter if you can see small stitches on the outside of the kilt too much they will be covered by the belt.

Done. No more hole to wear out. No more stress trying to rip the hole out.

I can do this in about two hours of watching TV in an evening.

Do I need to post a photo tutorial?