A "stabilizer" for belt loops?

[sydnie7]

Despite advice to the contrary, many kilt wearers use the rear loops for their "major" kilt belt (not just the sporran strap). I don't want to rehash that discussion here, please. My question or suggestion is, in light of the situation, could a stabilizer be put beneath the belt loops just as a stabilizer is put between the buckle mounting points? I envision two rectangles of the same material as the waist stabilizer, placed vertically and overlapping the waist stabilizer, sewn in the same manner and just prior to or following installation of the stabilizer during the kilt-making process.

Any reason not to do it? Might it reduce the strain and distortion that can result from running the belt through the loops? Any reason to make it one large rectangle that covers the entire area between the loops vs. two separate pieces?

[The Wizard of BC]

If I am making a hand-stitched kilt or re-conditioning a hand-sewn kilt, I place the loops so the bottom of the loop is sewn straight through the stabilizer just as the buckles. I don"t use or need as separate piece as my stabilizer is a bit wider than shown is TAoK.

I just make sure it sew the bottoms of the loops all the way through and not just to the outer fabric.

[Barb T]

Well, the stabilizer's job is to prevent horizontal stretching, not vertical buckling. So I don't see how the stabilizer, even if it's deeper, is going to help. What you'd really need, if you wanted to do this, is to prevent pleat-parallel (vertical) buckling. I suppose that adding something that would stiffen the kilt along a line from the top band to the bottom of where the loop attached would do it. Might even consider a strip of boning - it's only about 1/4" wide, and placed vertically, it would sure stop buckling.

[unixken]

I've never understood why the "belt loops" are so long as to encourage their use to hold a belt, if their intended use is for the sporran strap only. I personally never lace either a belt or a strap through the loops.

[opositive]

the more comments i read about belt loops, the more i wonder if they are an "appendix" like a third strap on a non military length kilt

[TheOfficialBren]

I don't always wear a belt but when I do I usually feed it through the straps. It is purely an example of individual style.

On occasions where a belt is not worn I sometimes feed my sporran strap through the back loop, though usually I don't bother.

My personal use of belts is strictly cosmetic and not an every-occasion sort of thing.

Good klts require no belt to stay up.

[Paul Henry]

Because I spend a lot more time on pad stitching the hair canvas on the inside of my kilts I think that really gives much more support both vertically and horizontally to the fell portion, in many ways it become "one piece" of fabric so that it does not shift very much at all. I sew my belt loops on by hand at the bottom through all the layers right through the canvas as well , but then they get fed through the waistband layer and then machine sewn which gives a lot of extra support as well.
There will always be a little movement within any garment, but I think the time honoured method of plenty of pad stitching does help any garment to hold its shape.

[ChattanCat]

I've never put any belt loops on my kilts. They are more trouble than they are worth.

[unixken]

My personal use of belts is strictly cosmetic and not an every-occasion sort of thing.

I tend to agree. There have been times I wear no belt...


...times that I wear one loaded up with piper's pouches and bottle holders...


... and everything in between. But I never lace the belt through the loops.

[sydnie7]

Despite advice to the contrary, many kilt wearers use the rear loops for their "major" kilt belt (not just the sporran strap). I don't want to rehash that discussion here, please. [snip]

Thanks to the kiltmakers who have responded to my query/thought. As is often the case, everybody seems to have a slightly different approach to addressing the same issue! But at least I'm not alone, and don't seem to be on a completely wrong path toward the solution.