Kilt Alterations?

**bubba** · 26th August 06, 11:21 AM

The strap on the under apron gets moved, the one on the left, since moving that buckle doesn't do anything. The two buckles on the right are moved since you really can't move those straps. I've found that any seamstress that works on formals or wedding gowns will do a superb job. All you need to do is give her the exact amount the strap and buckles need to be moved. Don't have a dry cleaner do the job even though they do some of this kind of work.

**SingleBarrelBourbon** · 26th August 06, 01:53 PM

I have the same problem. The SWK Nightstalker I ordered is 1.5 to 2 inches too large in the waist. My lovely wife is a seamstress and specializes in bridals. She will be making the needed alteration this week (customers come first). If you can wait 2 or 3 days, I can let you know how that comes out.

**mrpharr** · 26th August 06, 04:45 PM

I lost about 20lbs and had to have my buckles moved back an inch or so and it seemed to do the trick. the buckles and straps were hand stiched in the first place so a seamstress i know said it made it alot easier and she was able to hand stich them back.
steve

**Aramp** · 28th August 06, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by SingleBarrelBourbon

I have the same problem. The SWK Nightstalker I ordered is 1.5 to 2 inches too large in the waist. My lovely wife is a seamstress and specializes in bridals. She will be making the needed alteration this week (customers come first). If you can wait 2 or 3 days, I can let you know how that comes out.

That'd be great, to see how it works. I was having problems conceptualising it until the tailor showed me what she'd do, but it'd be excellent to have advice from someone who's doing more or less exactly the same thing.

I looked around for someone nearby who did Bridal stuff, and found a lady who designed bridalwear, and showed her my kilt for a bit. She seemed like she knew what she was doing, and evidently she has a bunch of friends from design school who wear kilts now and then, and so has some experience.

Basically she said they'd have to move back the buckles on the right, and put the strap on the left in front of the apron and move it, without cutting or changing the material. It seems like it'll work. Pending SBB's results (or the next couple of days if impatience gets the better of me), I'll probably get her to work on it.

**bubba** · 29th August 06, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by Aramp

Basically she said they'd have to move back the buckles on the right, and put the strap on the left in front of the apron and move it, without cutting or changing the material.

She seems to know what needs to be done and if she works on bridal clothing her skills should be top notch. Giter done.

**Gary Krueger** · 29th August 06, 08:01 AM

If you need to make the waist 2" smaller...move the right hand buckle (or both if you have 2 on the right) 1 inch and move the left hand buckle an inch. The strap will go through the hole provided and connect with the buckle after all you did say that you could fasten the last hole on each side...you have at least 4 holes to deal with...and 1 inch relocation will be just fine. I did this with the first band kilt I was given. Since it belonged to the band I wasn't free to make extreem alterations... however I did move the buckles and that solved the problem. Of course I moved them back when I left that band and returned the kilt to the quartermaster.

In order to make the kilt hang right and look right the buckles on each side need moving otherwise the apron will be off center and look odd. Move each side the same distance. Hand stich with a thread that will not show much...I used a black on a Red MacLaughlin and it looked just fine..and the wide kilt belt covers it anyway (except the lower right hand buckle (if you have one.)

**bubba** · 29th August 06, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by Gary Krueger

In order to make the kilt hang right and look right the buckles on each side need moving otherwise the apron will be off center and look odd. Move each side the same distance. Hand stich with a thread that will not show much...I used a black on a Red MacLaughlin and it looked just fine..and the wide kilt belt covers it anyway (except the lower right hand buckle (if you have one.)

Moving the buckle on the left does nothing. The limiting factor there is the hole the strap goes through. On the left you move the strap on the under apron.