Planning a Kilt for growth?

[Kilted Canadian]

I'm a High School student, but I've been interested in Highland Dress since I was young(er). I've been seriously considering putting my money towards a Kilt outfit, but I know I'll likely grow an inch or so before I'm done, though I doubt much more.

So, my question is: is it possible, or advisable, to have a kilt made slightly long to accomadate leg growth? For example, to the bottom of the kneecap instead of the top?

Or else is hemming the kilt a good idea? Would the pleats be obstructed?

Thanks in advance for your replies and assistance.

[Kornkob]

Typically, one can wear a kilt that strikes the knee anywhere form the bottom of the knee cap to the top of the knee cap. (the top of the knee is preferred, I believe)

If you ordered one that strikes you at the bottom or the middle of the kneecap now, you'll have some growing room built in.

Freedomkilts.com (I am not affiliated) has a great series of pictures and instructions for kilt measuring. http://www.freedomkilts.com/fit.php?val=read

[xman]

You could make it to the middle of the knee (or perhaps bottom) and wear it until it grows to about 1/2"-1" above. Including a hem that you can let down will lengthen the overall kilt when you need to and including extra pleats under the apron that you can move the buckles over, let out and expose when your waist expands will also allow for growth.

The bigger problem is that the fell will remain static so the kilt won't hang right as you continue to grow. Sewing the fell a little long and then wearing it a little short after you grow might give you some mileage, but it just goes to show that there is a limit to what can be done.

I'm thinking of making some kilts for young friends of mine before attempting my own and I am also thinking that a casual length (4 yards) would be more sensible than a full kilt because of the growth problems. Once you are ready to graduate you will probably want to get it measured exactly so that you can look the bomb at your prom.

X

PS I should point out that this is still all theoretical to me since I haven't actually sewn one yet.

[CaseyB]

According to "The Art of Kiltmaking" you can put a good deal of hem in a kilt, you just need to be careful to ensure that it isn't visible.

[Hothir Ethelnor]

Having a hem put in the kilt is a good idea. It can be let out for growth and unless you grow a significant amount (more than two inches) the fell shouldn't present an issue though you could request a half inch longer of fell stitching.

Around your waist it's always best to have the kilt made to your future or larger measurements. It would be best to order a kilt custom made by someone who is familiar with how to alter a kilt so they can make it with growing room built in.

[Barb T]

Kilts for dancers are typically made from lighter weight (10-12 oz) tartan that doesn't have a kilting selvedge to begin with, so a dancer's kilt almost always has a hem regardless of who the kilt is made for. Makes it easy to let down when a person gets taller.

[Kilted Canadian]

Mhm. To Barb, I'm going for 16 oz. wool when I buy, so the dancer's stuff is a wee bit past me.

As for waist sizes, the straps, I think, come with a bit of leeway? I'm not really expecting to gain more than 2 inches to my waistline, ever. More than that and I need to work out more. So I think that will be all right.

However, I'm also thinking of ordering a double legnth of tartan, and having 2 kilts made, should I need to. One now, and 1 when I'm about 22 and have stopped growing for sure. Of course, then I'll most likely be wearing a whole new set of formal wear as per the regulations of the job I hope to have, but anyway.....

[Barb T]

Sorry I misunderstood about the dancer's tartans. I must have had a brain fart when I read your post.

Anyway, no reason that a hem can't be put into a 16 oz kilt. Several of the kilts in our band have hems, and the only reason you'd notice is that the bottom of the kilt doesn't lie at the same place in the tartan. I even challenged our dress and deportment office at one point to find the kilts with hems without actually touching the kilts. He couldn't see the difference, even though the tartan wasn't the same at the bottom of the kilt.

Anyway - how much to you expect to grow? Remember that, even if you grow 2", that won't translate into a kilt that's 2" too short. In the first place, some of that 2" will be above your waist, and, in the second place second, many teens get "leggy" early and their kilt length doesn't change all that much as they get older even if they get a bit taller.

If you're concerned about gaining weight, make the kilt to measurements 2" bigger than you are now, but put the buckles on at the size you are now. That way, if you gain 2", the underapron won't show. And, right now, no one will ever notice that the kilt is a little big, because you'll be able to buckle it tightly. And buckles are easy to move.

See this thread about moving buckles and kilts being too big vs. too small:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...oo-much-59745/

[xman]

I'm not really expecting to gain more than 2 inches to my waistline, ever.

... sorry

I'm one of the slimmest and smallest men I know and I've even gained 2-3" 'round my middle since high school. That was twenty years ago. oops, no. That was almost 25 years ago! I could, perhaps loose an inch with a workout regiment, but then I'll likely gain before I hit retirement age. Just sayin' ...

Follow Barb's advice though and you should have a kilt versatile enough to last for many waistlines.

[Kilted Canadian]

Definitely will, thanks! All I have to do is get to a kiltmaker, now.