Kilt Alterations?

**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.

**pdcorlis** · 29th August 06, 08:44 AM

Yup, left side strap - right side buckles. If you've got a kilt - wrap it around yourself it will suddenly make sense - at least it did for me!

**auld argonian** · 29th August 06, 08:51 AM

The blind hem stitch thing refered to shortening the length of the kilt...I was thinking that I was going to have to shorten mine but after a couple of wearings and my adjusting to having it up about my "natural" waist, things worked out smashingly.

Not to be a contrarion but your best solution is (or would have been) to send it back to Stillwater for an exchange...this is why one does not remove the basting stitches until he is sure of the fit...it's my understanding that they are very good about that and that the expense of shipping it back and forth is probably less than a tailor is going to charge you to do the work.

Best

AA

**Colin** · 29th August 06, 08:53 AM

Now someone may have alreafy mentioned this, but if the kilt hasn't been worn yet, have you tried emailing Jerry and seeing if you can exchange it for another size? It may be better than resizing the kilt or just settling for it. Stillwater has a good repution for quality customer service. It's worth a shot.

**Aramp** · 29th August 06, 12:29 PM

Well, I keep getting smacked with customs fees, and so with shipping both ways and that, it's way over the 30sih I'm spending on the alteration.

The thing with basting stitches was I wasn't sure how I'd go about testing the fit without removing them, and I didn't want to chance a rip or something. It'll be worth noting for next time though.

The left buckle isn't moving on the SWK, the underapron goes right up to the hole through the waistband where that strap goes through. The strap itself is being moved so there's no extra flap of underapron.

Oh well, if nothing else, it was a learning experience, and I definately know what size I'll be getting when I graduate to a standard or even a heavyweight. That shadow tartan looks sweet.

**Aramp** · 30th August 06, 12:15 PM

Well, I got it back today, and I'm glad to say it works. Obviously the apron coverage is a bit wider, and I've got to do some ironing, but I just put it on with a belt and walked around for a bit, stretched, sat. It's all good, and the straps go into the middle buckle, so if I either gain or lose weight in the next year it should still be able to stay on me.

**auld argonian** · 30th August 06, 01:03 PM

Glad it worked out...having the adjustability must be reassuring.

I guess that I still don't get the customs-between-the-USA-and-Canada business...I've said it before and will, no doubt, say it again...whatever happened to NAFTA...NAFTA was one of those things that everybody complained about but no one ever fully understood, I guess. I can see the possibility of getting socked for something that one is bringing in for re-sale but not for personal use. Granted that there are fine Canadian kiltmakers but Stillwaters are a sort of "niche market" and it might not be comparing apples to oranges but it is like comparing one variety of apples to another.

Obviusly, if there were more kilted men in international politics, this wouldn't be a problem...however, the thought of "W" in a kilt is enough to give me the willies.

Best

AA