altering a kilt

[mcnice]

has anybody experience in making a kilt a few inches bigger. cause i ve found a tailor made nice kilt on ebay: waist 30-32 while my waist is 34.

would this be possible regarded the space between apron and first pleat?

[RockyR]

You may need to ask the seller a few questions...

Sometimes the kiltmaker is nice and keeps the extra material in the under apron (they double back to give it double thickness). If they did on THAT kilt, you can use that material to make an extra pleat or two.

OR... simply ask them if there's any overlap of the 2 aprons. If the top apron covers the last 2 pleats on the right hand side, then it can probably be altered relatively easily.

If there is NO extra material and NO extra pleats, it's up to you... the kilt CAN be altered to fit you, but you may have a flat section of under apron showing on the right side. If the buckle on the left hip doesn't reach (go through the leats and strap to the buckle on the left hip), you have 1 option (not the BEST option, but it will work). Add a "jumper" piece of material between the end of the under apron and the strap. Maybe use some STURDY cotton twill or cotton duck and double/triple it up for strength.

Talk to your local taylor and have them do it if you can't.

[mcnice]

many thanks for ur enlightening answer.
i had just thought about moving the buckles, so thanks for the under apron tip.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

has anybody experience in making a kilt a few inches bigger. cause i ve found a tailor made nice kilt on ebay: waist 30-32 while my waist is 34.

would this be possible regarded the space between apron and first pleat?

Tell your tailor or seamstress to do the following:
1). Remove the top cap or beltline...
2). Remove the buckles and straps...
3). Widen the front apron by removing the first pleat and second pleat. The width will be at your choice now, and the depth of the first pleat will be deeper...
4). Replace the cap or beltline...
5). Any additonal cap or beltline will be hidden on the under apron...
6). Measure and replace the buckles and straps.
7). Press and treat with vinegar solution to hopd pleats.

If there's lining, remove it entirely in the beginning, and replace it at the finish.

Total time of this alteration should take approximately 2 1/2 hours.

[MDR-V300]

Jimmy,
If you've got alterations down to numbered lists, you oughta prepare a booklet on the subject.
What to do with that booklet, I don't know, but it would be nice to know that one existed.

I've got to figure it out everytime I change anything.

Thinking is hard.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

MDR... that's what I'm doing with my spare time now. People buy kilts and come to me to fix the puckered pleats, curling aprons, wrong size, thread breaks, etc.

I never charge for the work since it's a great hobby to have. Good therapy and it keeps me out of the bars.

It's also great practice on the kiltmaking theories and forms that I've learned lately.