Alterations

[tennysonw]

How is the best way to alter the length of a kilt by 2 inches? Considering the pleats, is it more labor/cost effective to hem the kilt at the bottom or at the top and move the buckles?

[Big Mikey]

Just one fat, old mans opinion...................

Find a good tailor or seamstress in your area. Hem from the bottom, not sure what the stitch is called, maybe a blind hem stitch. Don't cut the material in case you grow or want to sell the kilt later. As long as you don't mind a hemmed selvedge, it works and still looks good. I had this done to an SWK standard and later had it removed as I changed the way I wear that kilt. Cost was $34.

[The Wizard of BC]

Please understand that the way you alter the length of a Kilt by 2" will all depend on the type of Kilt you have.

You didn't say what kind of Kilt you are trying to alter.

To better advise you please let us know a little more.

[JolyStNicholas]

True advise from both the above, if you ever plan to change again"Don't Cut It"

[McNulty]

I had several of my SWK standards altered for $30 each. They were hemmed by the blind hem stitch. It is hard to tell from even up close that they are hemmed and the extra material at the bottom is no big deal. The lady I use out here does an excellent job.
Nulty

[ForresterModern]

You described your action as "altering the length of the kilt by two inches" which so far everybody has taken to mean that you desire to shorten it by two inches. If so follow thier instructions. If, however, you intend to TRY to LENGTHEN a kilt by two inches, contact your local miracle worker, as unless you have a magic wand it is not likely to be achievable. Unless you consider wearing a trad as a casual and pulling the waist down to the level of your hips instead of up at your navel. Not a good look.

This from a man who is 6'5" and constantly finding good deals on 24" kilts that are too short with no hope of ever getting them lengthened.

[wsk]

Read Barb T's book. Hem the bottom with a herringbone stitch. The kilt between the waist and the fell needs to stay as it is. Moving the kilt up by moving the buckles moves the bottom of the sewn pleats up. When you do that, the unsewn pleats no longer hang correctly and will look bad.

You will need to undo the facings on both the apron and under apron (not all the way, just enough to do the hemming). You'll need to undo the adjustments to the points of the deep pleat and the under apron. Then hem the kilt and redo the things you undid. Barb Ts book explains how to put it together.

[tennysonw]

The kilt is a Balmoral lightweight 8 yard

Kilt length: 24" / 61.0 cm
Kilt seat: 44" / 111.8 cm
Kilt waist: 40" / 101.6 cm
Stitching: Hand & Machine sewn
Wearers height: 6ft 0 inches
Tartan: MacThomas Modern (batli/11oz/150cm/Batli Cuillin Light Weight)

The kilt will be professionally altered. I want to make sure I provide the correct instructions.
Thanks for your advice.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Something's not right here... I'm 6'1. My kilt measurement is W40/S45 and, measuring four of my kilts, the length is 26 (3 kilts) and 25 (one kilt). Now these kilts just brush the top of my knee. A 22 inch length on a six-footer would seem to me to be pretty short, possibly a couple of inches above the knee. It might work if the kilt is intended to be worn below your natural waist (like a pair of jeans), but if you wear it at your natural waist I think you are going to need more than 22 inches. Are you sure about the desired length?

[tennysonw]

Which kilt is the correct length?

22 inch:








or the 24 inch:





Sorry the photos are so large...