Alterations - just don't do it unless.....

[Tony Miles]

they're made by a real kilt maker. I've learned the hard way that not just any sewing person (seamstress) can alter a kilt without ruining it - never again!!

[Bugbear]

Well, what happened?

[Tony Miles]

She cut the font apron down so much that I now have girls' skirts instead of kilts - you know how the apron should be close to the side of the leg on the ends? Now it's more towards the front of the leg - so when it's centered it has a nice skirt look

she claimed that she has built kilts but now I'm thinking she's only built skirts - I'm glad it wasn't a tank but man It's frustrating - so I politely paid her, said thanks, and mumbled *** under my breath.

I just wish folks would be honest about their skill level and not purport proficiency that doesn't exist.

[Bugbear]

What kind of kilt was this, and was the waist being made smaller or was it the length of the kilt.?

Just so people know what not to do.

[Rex_Tremende]

And what did you ask her to do?

I have had minor alterations done by a suit maker, but I was very specific. Still, when I got it back, it was not as well done as it was originally, but the work was to spec, nonetheless.

I'm curious about the alteration you had made and how you described it to the person doing the work.

Sorry to hear.

Regards,
Rex.

[csbdr]

Wow, sorry to hear that. I agree, it's worth it to go to a kiltmaker. BarbT just hemmed a kilt for me, and you can't tell unless you know what to look for. Cost $30 and shipping, and some extra time over a local person who may not know what they're doing.

[CDNSushi]

That's too bad... I've had a couple of kilts altered by a local seamstress (here in Japan).

I'm not saying you didn't do this, but the key is (in any country/language) to be really, really, really specific with them and insist on speaking with the person who will be doing the actual work (as in my case, it's a shop with several employees). A good seamstress will be marking your garment with chalk or pins while you're there too.

The place where I go does a lot of schoolgirl uniforms, so at least they're familiar with the concept of pleats and what to do with them, but I was their first customer to give them kilts. They did a bang-up job, though.

Well, my advice would be to put up your altered kilt on eBay, advertising it as a kilted skirt, and use the proceeds from the sale to finance a new, properly-fitted kilt...

Again, sorry your kilt got ruined.

[Tony Miles]

I just needed it taken in a bit and it was thoroughly discussed and pinned correctly at her shop - but now It's on the very last hole and too tight - it looks like she must have taken out 4 or so inches of the outer apron - most of the adjustment could have been done on the inner apron which she cut down a bunch too - I'm pretty shocked at how bad it is - thankfully it's a cheap kilt - but wow what butchery

[Tony Miles]

That's too bad... I've had a couple of kilts
Well, my advice would be to put up your altered kilt on eBay, advertising it as a kilted skirt, and use the proceeds from the sale to finance a new, properly-fitted kilt...

I can see the advertisement now - "Kilt for 6 foot tall girl with a beer gut"

I'm just really glad I have other kilts and this lesson wasn't too expensive - I can only imagine if it would have been an $800 tank I was crying about -

[Rex_Tremende]

Oh, but she's out there.

I'm sure of it.