Third Strap Solution

[Bugbear]

This evening, after working on a few other alterations, I sliced through the stitches on the third, lower strap on my Stillwater wool kilt. It was held on by a single row of stitching and between the double row of fringe. BTW, I did have to sew that back closed.

I put on the kilt; put the strap through the buckle on the first hole; then taped it in place on the underapron.
After taking the kilt off, I sewed the strap in place using the original holes, then I put the kilt back on.

It worked! The third strap is no longer attached to the top apron and pulling on it. It is now harmlessly attached to the underapron and pulling on nothing.

When I first thought of doing this, I was worried that the top apron would move away from the strap when I moved or sat down, but it pretty much stays in the same place. It seems like that is because the strap is a little above the bend of the hip, and the top apron folds right along with the underapron.

This is temporary until I work out a way that I can make the strap removable, so that I can switch between brown and black. It would be better if the strap were a couple of inches longer, but the top apron does cover the end of the strap. I also need to tack down the end of the strap that extends about an half inch passed the stitching.

[Mipi]

Interesting approach. Why don't you completely remove it?

[Barb T]

My question too. Why go to all the trouble when you don't need the strap int he first place??

[Mipi]

The third strap is not really needed, unless you're dancer, right?

[Kent Frazier]

If the third strap is not needed, is it only applied on new kilts out of tradition? Curious as I had debated about ordering a SWK Thrifty because of the lack of straps. Since my belt covers the top two anyway the only one showing would be the third.

[Colonel MacNeal]

I typically, buckle the third strap very loosely, to not impede motion.

[Bugbear]

My question too. Why go to all the trouble when you don't need the strap int he first place??

Why have a tourie and ribbons in a bow on a bonnet,?

First, the strap was already on there, so I did, in fact cut it off.
Next, , I would need to cut off the buckle if I were going to leave the strap off, and that makes me a bit more nurvous due to the construction techniques of this particular kilt; at some point in the future I might be ready to do that.
It was not really much trouble at all, and was quite easy compared to some of the other alterations I have had to make to this kilt.

There are some people who prefer the look of that lower strap because lots of kilts have them.

This is a contemporary, mass produced kilt, and not a traditional, but it does kind of look like a traditional. I wouldn't have done this if it were a traditional kilt. However, it does open the possibility of making this strap, on this kind of kilt, switchable between black and brown.

I will need to replace the low quality spraps at some point, and I will address the buckles at that time. I have ideas for those too...

[Tartan Hiker]

If it were me I'd attach a piece of velcro to the underapron and to the end of the strap. Easily removed, and with a brown and black strap, easily switched.

[lethearen]

I thought about suggesting that, too... Easiest way I can think of, as long as the strap isn't actually bearing much if any load. Of course, the superfluous third strap probably shouldn't be. But... if you only do that with the one strap, you'd have one brown and two black straps... wouldn't that look a little off?

[Tartan Hiker]

Well the top strap is usually hidden under the belt, assuming you wear a wide belt. With a jacket on the top strap would be under the tail, so either way you can't see it.