Kilt Pin Variations

**Galant** · 21st February 05, 10:07 AM

Well that explains that!

Thanks.

**Tim Walker** · 22nd February 05, 07:56 AM

There has been concern that a pin may damage the fabric. Alternatives have been suggested:

1. One idea is to have a snap with an ornamental surface.

2. Another idea-a metallic ornament that would be sewn to the apron.

**Tim Walker** · 22nd February 05, 05:01 PM

To prevent the pin from damaging the fabric another suggestion was offered by Cyndi Balfour-Traill. She suggested that a reinforced hole-something like a button hole-be added to the fabric of the apron.

I am not familiar with her business, but I am going to post the link that she offered.

http://www.ThistleStopShop.com/

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 24th February 05, 05:39 AM

What can be worn as a kilt pin? Pretty much anything!

Most kilt pins you will see sold as kilt pins are long pins, about 3" or longer. So anything that size should work fine.

But, though not usual, I also have seen people wear round pins as kilt pins. It's different, but there are rules that say a kilt pin has to be long.

How heavy? I wouldn't worry that much about it. You want a pin large enough to be seen on your kilt (in other words, not a lapel pin). But no jeweler is going to sell a pin so heavy that it can't be worn on your clothing, and a good worsted wool of a kilting weight is going to be able to handle any peice of jewelry.

I don't know about others, but when I get a new kilt, I get a new kilt pin, and that pin stay on the kilt. Unless I just get really tired of that particular pin, or find another one so snazzy I have to have it, I do not remove the pin from the kilt. That way, I'm not contstantly putting holes in the kilt and wearing a spot in the cloth.

Aye,
Matt

**Tim Walker** · 24th February 05, 10:04 AM

Cyndi Balfour-Traill also offered another idea to prevent damage by the pin. Place a patch of canvas on the back of apron to reinforce it.

**Thistle Stop** · 25th February 05, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

when I get a new kilt, I get a new kilt pin, and that pin stay on the kilt. Unless I just get really tired of that particular pin, or find another one so snazzy I have to have it, I do not remove the pin from the kilt. That way, I'm not contstantly putting holes in the kilt and wearing a spot in the cloth.

Aye,
Matt

Matt, that's a really good idea. Thanks for suggesting it.

Tim, thanks for posting a link to my web site!

Cheers,

Cyndi

**Hamish** · 26th February 05, 05:46 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

.................................................. .....................................
I don't know about others, but when I get a new kilt, I get a new kilt pin, and that pin stay on the kilt. Unless I just get really tired of that particular pin, or find another one so snazzy I have to have it, I do not remove the pin from the kilt. That way, I'm not contstantly putting holes in the kilt and wearing a spot in the cloth.

Aye,
Matt

Matt, I have been advocating that for many years. As with you it is for me: new kilt = new kilt pin!

**Avonlea22** · 26th February 05, 07:27 AM

But doesn't the pin need to be removed when the kilt is cleaned?

**Hamish** · 26th February 05, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by Avonlea22

But doesn't the pin need to be removed when the kilt is cleaned?

Yes, but traditional woollen kilts should be dry cleaned only when absolutely necessary, not on a regular basis. The removal of pins, therefore, is likely to occur much less frequently for kilt cleaning than is likely for swapping from one kilt to another.

Apart from anything else, since I consider the pin to be part of the kilt, I like them to have some connection with, or significance to, the kilts to which they are attached. Only my fourteen plain kilts from "21st Century Kilts" have identical kilt pins, and they are in the form of the lightening flash - the "TFCK" trade-mark or signature. All the others are different.

**Thistle Stop** · 26th February 05, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by Avonlea22

But doesn't the pin need to be removed when the kilt is cleaned?

Good point -- it does need to be removed before dry-cleaning. However, a worsted wool kilt doesn't need to be cleaned very often. You can shake off or brush off surface dust and dirt, and spot-clean stains. Worsted wool twill doesn't attract or hold dirt like some other fabrics do. I advise NOT cleaning a wool kilt unless absolutely necessary. Even if you sweat in it, it will air out just fine -- there are few if any 'stinky' apocrine sweat glands around the waist, which is the only part of the kilt likely to get saturated with sweat. Because wool is a natural fibre and 'breathes', moisture evaporates continuously and sweat won't linger in the fabric except in the most humid conditions. If you want to 'freshen' the kilt, give it a spritz of Febreze. (Note: Don't use Febreze [or any aerosols] around pet birds.)

Cheers,

Cyndi