Who can shorten my Kilt?

[Tobus]

Sorry to resurrect this once-dead thread, but I have a question.

I bought an 'off the rack' acrylic Blackwatch kilt at the Highland Games last weekend with the intention of using it as a beater kilt for hiking and camping (and yes, I'm aware of the flammability issue). At the standard 24" length, it is, of course, too long for my 5'-7" frame. I need to take about 2" off of it, as my normal tailored-kilt length is 22" when worn at my natural waist. I have to wear this one well above the bottom of my ribcage to make it fall correctly.

If I take it to a local alterations shop and tell them I want it shortened by 2" using a blind hem, is that all I need to do? Or are there further instructions they'd need to know that's specific to a kilt?

My concern is that the extra material folded up and hemmed inside will affect the lay of the pleats, producing an unsightly bulge or less-than-desirable fold. Specifically, my questions are:

1. When hemming it up 2", should material be cut off, or simply folded up and stitched?

2. Are there any special requirements for pressing acrylic? It won't melt or anything, will it?

3. I saw mention earlier in the thread about special attention to the reverse pleat so it doesn't hang below the apron. Any special instructions to the tailor for this?

Thanks!

[EagleJCS]

My personal kilt is a trad 'tank' made by Locharron. It's 23" long (21" long + 2" rise). I'm just under 5' 7" tall, so my kilt is just covering my short ribs (about an inch over my navel) when it's hitting the tops of my knees.

Initially, it felt a bit odd when wearing my kilt, because - like most folks - I'm accustomed to wearing my trousers closer to my hips than my (natural) waist. (My trousers were, and still are, above my hips by two inches or so, but that's not as high as my kilt.) Now, though, I feel quite comfortable with my kilt where it is. If my kilt were an inch longer, I could probably get used to that as well. (It might even look a little better, because I'm carrying a spare tire.)

Before going to the trouble and expense of having your kilt altered, wear it a few times and see if you can get used to it.

[fluter]

1. When hemming it up 2", should material be cut off, or simply folded up and stitched?

Don't cut it: you may want to give it to someone taller next year. The extra fabric won't be noticed.

2. Are there any special requirements for pressing acrylic? It won't melt or anything, will it?

Low heat, use a damp press cloth, don't overdo it; the tailor will know what to do. If you press it yourself, just use the iron's setting for synthetics.

3. I saw mention earlier in the thread about special attention to the reverse pleat so it doesn't hang below the apron. Any special instructions to the tailor for this?

This isn't critical for your "beater" kilt, but it's a nice finishing touch. Now would be a good time just to break down and buy TAoK, which has pictures and details!

It's actually the deep pleat (on your left) and the end of the under-apron that are hemmed up a bit, so the corners don't show underneath the apron.

Where the deep pleat is folded under the apron, hem it up about an extra 3/8 inch, tapering back each side to the left edge of the apron. If the deep pleat is less than, say, 2.5 inches, reduce that 3/8 inch proportionally. The end corner of the under apron (which is right in that same area) can be up to an inch shorter, tapering out to your regular 2 inch hem in mid-apron.

You can do this yourself, it just takes a bit of stubbornness (about 2 evenings' worth, probably). If you do it by hand, use a herringbone stitch. But if someone will blind stitch if by machine for you, that'll work equally well.