Moving/Adjusting straps

**David White** · 2nd February 07, 07:12 AM

Over the last couple of months I've lost several pounds. I'm not of huge build so any weight I lose comes off the middle. The long and short of it is that one of my kilts won't tighten up enough and has lost some of its tailored look, doesn't quite hang right.

Can the straps be moved back an inch or so to tighten the whole rig up?

thanks

**Dreadbelly** · 2nd February 07, 07:14 AM

Most likely. Just find somebody that knows what they are doing, or mail it to one of the many kilt makers that frequent these boards.

Cheaper than buying a new kilt!

**Splash_4** · 2nd February 07, 07:19 AM

Our very own Matt Newsome offers this as a service...

http://kilts.albanach.org/alterations.html

**thescot** · 2nd February 07, 07:24 AM

Having Matt completely resize it for you would be the best option. That way it'll still look like it should, and it won't fall around your ankles, either.

**McMurdo** · 2nd February 07, 07:30 AM

I think I might need that service as well thanks for the link and info.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 2nd February 07, 08:03 AM

Actually, if you are reasonably adept with a needle and thread, it is not a difficult sewing project. You will move the strap on the underapron further back from the edge of the underapron and re-anchor it. But don't sew it down right up to the edge of the apron or you won't get any benefit. The idea is to move it back and then when you thread it through the buckle, the underapron can go further underneath on that side. On the overapron, you want to leave the strap alone and move the buckle further back on the kilt. Effectively, you are making the under and over aprons wrap around your body a little more. Works well for smaller size changes, but anything over an inch or so should probably have more work done, like deepening the left pleat, and the right reverse pleat to take up some material, and possibly narrowing the aprons a bit. If it is a really large difference, then you will probably need to do a re-build.

**David White** · 2nd February 07, 09:06 AM

I think about 1/2" or so on each apron will do the trick.

**Barb T** · 2nd February 07, 09:13 AM

To be honest, you can get away with moving buckles and straps many inches before it becomes truly obvious. I moved buckles on one of our band member's kilt when she lost _a lot_ of weight and took in the kilt over 4", and it still wasn't noticeable.

As KCW says, you have to be sure to move the apron edge buckles (_not_ the one next to the buttonhole), and move the underapron strap. Both moves are necessary.

B

**McMurdo** · 2nd February 07, 09:20 AM

thanks for the clarification, I have a graham of mantieth, that my brother gave me it doesnt quite fit, I will give this a try.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 2nd February 07, 01:01 PM

Thanks for clarifying Barb. I thought I had read that only small moves would look good. Glad to hear it isn't so, or maybe that was in making one larger?