Attaching Kilt Straps

[Tim B]

I'm sure there is a thread somewhere on this but I can't find it.

How do I attach kilt straps to the front apron of a DIY cotton blend tartan kilt without it showing BUT strong enough to cinch tight? (Yes, I know that I need to order Barb's book...already have but my wife insists that when it arrives it go directly under the tree!) So a little help until the 26th, please.

Thanx

Tim B.

[The Wizard of BC]

They are hand stitched to the back side of the apron, through the fringe, hem, liner, and hair canvas, but not all the way through the front of the apron itself.

[Mac Ghille Sheathanaich]

From one Tim to another.............
I differ in my approach. I hand sew the apron straps to a piece of lightweight soft leather in the position they will be when placed in the kilt. I glue the square end of the strap to the thin leather to keep it from moving around during sewing, then after the glue is set and the stitching is done,
I place the assembly where it goes and hand sew all the way around the edge, through the canvas, before the canvas is completely stitched in place.
I also stitch through the canvas close to the edges of the straps where they are placed on the leather.

In doing this, it disperses the strain of pulling/cinching the straps when you put it on, so that there is not as much direct pull on the straps themselves.
It also serves to further stiffen and reinforce the leading edge of the apron and helps it to keep it's shape better.

I make one pice of leather that both straps are attached to, running from the bottom of the fell point, upward to just below where the waistband will be stitched, because you don't want to have to do any waistband stitching through the leather.
I make this leather piece about an inch wider than the inboard end of the straps, e.g. about two inches wide by six =- long, and cut the leading or outboard edge to match whatever curve of the apron that there will be.

I also do this for the underapron strap.

Fide et Fortitudine, aye!

T.