Stillwater Economy Disappointment

[pipesndrumsnun]

Just in case you haven't heard...Jerry ROCKS!!

[Mr. MacDougall]

But if you're going to get it hemmed, the bottom edge won't matter....

[Kent Frazier]

After my wife looked at the kilt, she said that it looked to her like the bottom edge was selvedged. She pointed out to me that the selvedge can be harder to see in darker fabrics.

After putting it on, she thought the size was about an inch too big. I ordered a 42 inch waist. She said she thought a 40 inch waist would be too small and a 41 would be perfect. As to the length, she thought it looked fine as it is. She said the bottom edge was hitting between the middle of my knee and the bottom of my knee. "Just a tiny bit."

Any advise on maybe adjusting the straps to take the waist in about an inch would be appreciated. The only Economy kilt in a size 40 is in the solid black, and I didn't want a solid color for my first kilt.

Kent

[Bugbear]

You might try, just to see, putting on a thick sweater to make up the difference. If it works, it might be possible to wear a cloth padding of some sort as an undergarment to take up the slak. Only if it looks ok though. It might not be a bad thing to have that slack for weight gain also. Sounded like everything else was ok. Good luck.

After my wife looked at the kilt, she said that it looked to her like the bottom edge was selvedged. She pointed out to me that the selvedge can be harder to see in darker fabrics.

After putting it on, she thought the size was about an inch too big. I ordered a 42 inch waist. She said she thought a 40 inch waist would be too small and a 41 would be perfect. As to the length, she thought it looked fine as it is. She said the bottom edge was hitting between the middle of my knee and the bottom of my knee. "Just a tiny bit."

Any advise on maybe adjusting the straps to take the waist in about an inch would be appreciated. The only Economy kilt in a size 40 is in the solid black, and I didn't want a solid color for my first kilt.

Kent

[TheKiltedWonder]

who gains weight? Tis a well known fact that kilts mysteriously shrink. The authorities are stumped as to why

[OFCJAX]

If you only want an inch or so brought in you can undo the straps from where they attach to the kilt and reattatch them further in. Just remember that to do one inch you gotta split it between both sides. One inch needs 1/2" on one side and 1/2" on the side with two straps.

Hope that helps

[fluter]

If you want to take up the waist a bit, it is an easy hand tailoring job. However it can be confusing because you're working on the outer edges of the aprons, where things overlap. To make it an inch smaller, you'd think logically "I'll take up a half inch on each side." You'd be wrong! You need a full inch on each side.

Good info here on how to do it.

On the left side, move the strap. On the SWK Economy, it's sewed onto the under-apron at the hem. Move it back from the edge by whatever distance you need. I would put a small piece of fabric on the underside to reinforce the apron material. You don't need to re-hem the edge, just let it overlap under the button-hole when you slip the strap through.

On the right side, move the top buckle. I agree with McMurdo that you should try leaving the lower buckle where it is---see what happens. See the link above for hints from a professional.

[canawler]

I've been feeling testy lately so I'm going to take a different direction from everyone else. If you followed the website sizing instructions and the kilt doesn't fit, don't even consider modifying it, just send it back. You paid good money (though not much for an economy model) for the kilt, you shouldn't have to resize it. It sounds as if you aren't going to be happy with the kilt which means you probably won't end up wearing it much. Why keep it when you can get something you will be happy with?

[Kent Frazier]

I've been feeling testy lately so I'm going to take a different direction from everyone else. If you followed the website sizing instructions and the kilt doesn't fit, don't even consider modifying it, just send it back. You paid good money (though not much for an economy model) for the kilt, you shouldn't have to resize it. It sounds as if you aren't going to be happy with the kilt which means you probably won't end up wearing it much. Why keep it when you can get something you will be happy with?

Normally, I would agree with you. However, the next smaller size in Black Watch (what I ordered) is 36 inches, that is 6 inches smaller than what I ordered. The only kilt available in 40 inches is in solid black. I don't want a solid for my first kilt.

[James MacMillan]

who gains weight? Tis a well known fact that kilts mysteriously shrink. The authorities are stumped as to why

Governments have spent tragabazillions secretly investigating this phenomenon and have finally come close to concluding that this fabric shrinkage is caused by the toxic pollution in the air, caused by the flatulence of the wild Hagis. One possible solution still under study, and a possible future counter measure is to soak effected fabric in Snipe oil, which over time may cause the fabric to return to the original size.