Shortening a Kilt

**Tetley** · 13th August 08, 10:52 PM

I have a 22.5" drop which means that if I buy an off-the-shelf kilt for my 40" waist, the standard 24" drop is too long. So last night I started taking up the hem on one of my kilt. It's a 5 yard Poly Viscose kilt and took 2.5 hours to do including hand sewing the hem and re-pressing the pleats.

Halfway through the job I realised I should have taken some photos and posted so if anyone is interested, I'll document and photograph the next one & post it here.

Let me know...

**The Wizard of BC** · 14th August 08, 08:18 AM

If you have a 22.5" Drop then the overall length of your kilt should be 24.5".

**meinfs** · 14th August 08, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by Tetley

I have a 22.5" drop which means that if I buy an off-the-shelf kilt for my 40" waist, the standard 24" drop is too long. ...

24" should be perfect for you. Like Jerry said -- 24.5" should be the correct value given the drop of 22.5".

Total length = Drop + 2" rise (accdg to BarbT's book).

You'll need to wear the belted section at the navel (or the waist) which means that it rises 2" more above the center of the belt.

**Tetley** · 14th August 08, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by meinfs

24" should be perfect for you. Like Jerry said -- 24.5" should be the correct value given the drop of 22.5".

Total length = Drop + 2" rise (accdg to BarbT's book).

You'll need to wear the belted section at the navel (or the waist) which means that it rises 2" more above the center of the belt.

I guess I need to check my terminology.

Hm, let's put it this way, 24" is too long by 1.5". So, I guess I have a 20.5" drop which with the 2" rise give the 22.5" which fits me well. Alternatively, if I kneel down and measure from the ground to my navel I get 22.5".

Is that better?

Not that it really matters since 24" is too long and I have to shorten the kilt otherwise it covers my knee entirely.

The point of the thread is about shortening the kilt and how to do it, if anyone's interested.

**ChattanCat** · 14th August 08, 03:18 PM

I use a herringbone stitch and just try to catch the threads on the back of the material. If you do it right, you can't see the stitches from the front side. It would be faster to use a machine but then the stiches show.

**Tetley** · 15th August 08, 01:27 AM

Originally Posted by ChattanCat

I use a herringbone stitch and just try to catch the threads on the back of the material. If you do it right, you can't see the stitches from the front side. It would be faster to use a machine but then the stiches show.

That's exactly what I do, but not all kilt wearers know how to do this and hence the question about putting it up as a "how-to" guide with photos.

**The Wizard of BC** · 15th August 08, 02:51 AM

If you measure from the floor to your naval and get 22.5 Then a 24" overall length kilt is going to be perfect for you.
A Traditional Kilt is worn at the natural waist which is just under the ribs. In the back the very top of the kilt should cover your short ribs.

I've heard a lot of stories of the kneel on the floor method of measuring. In actuality it is an old kiltmakers trick.
Here is how it works.
If you have your customer kneel on the floor and measure from the floor up to the natural waist that will equal the total length of the kilt.
But because the kilt will have the top buckles 2" below the top of the kilt it will lift the hem to just above the knee cap.
When you have the kilt on and you kneel the bottom of the kilt should be about 2" off the floor.

So forget the measure to the naval stuff. Everyones naval is in a slightly different place in relation to their natural waist due to the different amount of belly. If you have a large belly your naval will be much lower than someone with washboard stomach.
Use the natural waist. To find your natural waist take your hand and place it on you back just around your kidneys. spread your fingers so that they are touching your short ribs and just touching your spine. Then bend from side to side. Your natural waist will be the place near your spine that bends the most. Just under your ribs.
That is where the top strap is cinched into.

**Tetley** · 15th August 08, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

If you measure from the floor to your naval and get 22.5 Then a 24" overall length kilt is going to be perfect for you.
A Traditional Kilt is worn at the natural waist which is just under the ribs. In the back the very top of the kilt should cover your short ribs.

I've heard a lot of stories of the kneel on the floor method of measuring. In actuality it is an old kiltmakers trick.
Here is how it works.
If you have your customer kneel on the floor and measure from the floor up to the natural waist that will equal the total length of the kilt.
But because the kilt will have the top buckles 2" below the top of the kilt it will lift the hem to just above the knee cap.
When you have the kilt on and you kneel the bottom of the kilt should be about 2" off the floor.

So forget the measure to the naval stuff. Everyones naval is in a slightly different place in relation to their natural waist due to the different amount of belly. If you have a large belly your naval will be much lower than someone with washboard stomach.
Use the natural waist. To find your natural waist take your hand and place it on you back just around your kidneys. spread your fingers so that they are touching your short ribs and just touching your spine. Then bend from side to side. Your natural waist will be the place near your spine that bends the most. Just under your ribs.
That is where the top strap is cinched into.

Sigh!

I give up!

I must be a very funny shape.

24" is too long, no ifs, no buts, just too long. 22.5" is perfect, it reaches from where the kilt feels comfortable and cinches where my waist is according to your very good description of where it should be, to just below the top of my knee cap. I like it that length, it feels comfortable.

But, that wasn't the original point of this thread.