kilt belt (velcro)

[NewEnglander]

Thanks for the expert advice. Once I'm sure I have the buckle in the correct position I'll wetting, pounding and clamping the belt. These belts are a "one size fits all" sort which is probably the reason thickness couldn't be decreased where the buckle attaches.

[Chas]

Thanks for the expert advice. Once I'm sure I have the buckle in the correct position I'll wetting, pounding and clamping the belt. These belts are a "one size fits all" sort which is probably the reason thickness couldn't be decreased where the buckle attaches.

Actually they are not 'one size fits all'. They are made in S M L and probably XL for the men of substance. You might have one that is too large. This is normally not a problem, unless you have to fold too much back. There is no need for the velcro to go through the loop on the back of the buckle - if it does, cut it off.

I have found wetting the leather to be the best, but I used a large stack of books, rather than pounding or clamping.

Regards

Chas

[NewEnglander]

Actually they are not 'one size fits all'. They are made in S M L and probably XL for the men of substance. You might have one that is too large. This is normally not a problem, unless you have to fold too much back. There is no need for the velcro to go through the loop on the back of the buckle - if it does, cut it off.

I have found wetting the leather to be the best, but I used a large stack of books, rather than pounding or clamping.

Regards

Chas

Do you have a picture of the back of the buckle? Now I'm wondering if I'm doing this wrong entirely. The belt I received with my new kilt is a large and I assume I was given this one based on my waist measurement. There's quite a bit of belt that is doubled back. How would one cut it off?

[Chas]

Do you have a picture of the back of the buckle? Now I'm wondering if I'm doing this wrong entirely. The belt I received with my new kilt is a large and I assume I was given this one based on my waist measurement. There's quite a bit of belt that is doubled back. How would one cut it off?

Sorry, if I have confused you. I will see if I can put things right.

The belt I would like to photograph is being used by my brother-in-law at the moment. That is the one with most of the velcro removed. We will make do with my No2 belt.

Here is the belt as it doubles back behind the buckle. That is about the maximum thickness of belt that you would want, but it can be thinner.



The reason it is as thick as it is, at that point, is because of the loop velcro. As you can see here.



This picture shows how much velcro is extra. From the yellow line backwards to a pont where it engages with the hook velcro is all spare.



If you want the folded part to sit flatter, you can remove a foot or so of the loop velcro OR you can remove just a couple of inches where it doubles back, behind the buckle. Using the wetting and pressing method is particularly effective once the velcro is removed.

Things to remember -

If you remove the velcro, you will also be removing the stitching (see first picture). You can either ignore it or use the opportunity to enhance the stitching. On my other belt, I restitched with a 'silver' thread, to make a feature of it.

I hope this clears up any confusion.

Regards

Chas