Another Question For The Kilt Makers

[Ugly Bear]

Cool, but how does it work on the left side? does the clip go through the button hole easily or do you use velcro to attach the inner apron?

Your second guess is closer: there are hooks to hold the left hip in place. So the clip on the left hip just hangs outside the kilt. It's like a hammer loop on the Utilikilt except that it pops open, so it's more versatile.

But the clips themselves are small enough that, with reinforment of the hole, they could go through and hold the kilt in the traditional style. Only problem is, with the clip being so much larger than the strap, there would be a lot of "wiggle room" in the button hole. So I don't recommend it.

[Canuck]

Cool, but how does it work on the left side? does the clip go through the button hole easily or do you use velcro to attach the inner apron?

Your second guess is closer: there are hooks to hold the left hip in place. So the clip on the left hip just hangs outside the kilt. It's like a hammer loop on the Utilikilt except that it pops open, so it's more versatile.

But the clips themselves are small enough that, with reinforment of the hole, they could go through and hold the kilt in the traditional style. Only problem is, with the clip being so much larger than the strap, there would be a lot of "wiggle room" in the button hole. So I don't recommend it.

OK so you really can't adjust the inner apron to your waist if you wear a thicker shirt or thinner because the hook is in one place... or do you have options?

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Dude, it's really a simpler solution. I re-made a kilt for an older gentleman in New York that had serious arthritis. It's possible to keep the leather straps (including the pass-through strap) and maintain the look of the kilt for the most part.

If you look at the belt buckles in the military dress uniforms, there are some that have the solid buckle and a sliding bar to cinch-down on the strap. They work so easily that he had NO problem at all. The buckles come in any number of colors, metals and even plastic. He had a dark blue tartan... so we simply painted the buckle the same color blue. We could have left it the original black to match the straps too.

This way, he kep the ENTIRE KILT in it's original form... but only replaced the attaching buckle. It was so simple that he had his other kilts done the same way.

[Canuck]

there are some that have the solid buckle and a sliding bar to cinch-down on the strap. They work so easily that he had NO problem at all. The buckles come in any number of colors, metals and even plastic. He had a dark blue tartan... so we simply painted the buckle the same color blue. We could have left it the original black to match the straps too.

This way, he kep the ENTIRE KILT in it's original form... but only replaced the attaching buckle. It was so simple that he had his other kilts done the same way.

I know of the buckles you speak...they have alligator teeth on the bar to grip the fabric or leather. popular on vests in the back...great idea. Love the leather straps on a kilt...
Cheers

[Ugly Bear]

There are hooks to hold the left hip in place. So the clip on the left hip just hangs outside the kilt.

OK so you really can't adjust the inner apron to your waist if you wear a thicker shirt or thinner because the hook is in one place... or do you have options?

There is one hook with three receptors, each 1" apart, for the left hip, so there's some adjustment there.

[bikercelt1]

I don't know if this will help. but we have saddlebags on some bikes that have the quick-clip fasteners behind chrome buckles. It looks like they close with buckle straps but you reach around the buckle to release the plastic side squeeze clip which is what really fastens the strap. If you could find a low profile quick-clip you could modify your kilt to retain the appearance of traditional buckles with the convienence of squeeze clips.

Jamie

[Canuck]

There are hooks to hold the left hip in place. So the clip on the left hip just hangs outside the kilt.

OK so you really can't adjust the inner apron to your waist if you wear a thicker shirt or thinner because the hook is in one place... or do you have options?

There is one hook with three receptors, each 1" apart, for the left hip, so there's some adjustment there.

Thanks for the info.
I will stick with the leather straps and buckles on my kilts as that's what works for me and my clients. However it is always good to be informed of the many fastening systems currently and succesfully in use.
Cheers
Robert (who must really get back to work as there is a whole backlog of kilts to be made and delivered in the next few weeks. Isn't it grand that more and more guys are being fitted with kilts this Festive season!)