Apron Looser than Underapron

[rpeters]

I'm just about to put the lining in my very first kilt and I had to try it on for fit. I found that the underapron strap was just about perfect - it fit snugly on the middle hole of the strap. But when I wrapped the apron around and buckled it, the apron was loose until the strap was on the last hole, and then it fit snugly. It seems that the apron buckle or strap needs to be moved, but if I move the apron strap in towards the center front, a couple of the last holes on the strap will be covered by the fringe edge of the apron. My question is, should I move the apron buckle farther around the back deeper into the pleats? Right now the apron buckle center is on the last pleat before the underapron. I'm worried that if I lose a few pounds, then the apron will be too loose and I won't have anywhere to go to tighten it. I'm just looking for a little advice on this before I move on. Thanks in advance!!!
Rob

[The Wizard of BC]

To properly answer your question perhaps it would be best to go back to the basics.

Lets see if your kilt is the right size in the waist first.

Try putting the kilt on without fastening any straps. Just wrap it around yourself.

Now, look down at where the right edge of the outer apron lays in relation to the right edge of the under apron.

The outer apron should, at a minimum, be perfectly aligned with the under apron.
If you made your kilt IAW ""The Art of Kiltmaking" the outer apron may overlap the under apron about 1" on the right side.

Now look at where the two buckles are in relation to the center hole of each strap. Do they line up?

If not, you will need to remove the buckles on the right side and re-position them till the buckle fits the center hole. Note that on the right side you will move the buckles.

Now look at the strap on the left side of the under apron. Does it align with the center hole of the buckle when put through the strap hole? If not you will move the strap on this side. (The position of the strap hole sets the position of the buckle on the left side so you can't move the left buckle unless you re-position the strap hole.)

A word of caution. When you sew the left strap and the right buckles back on you MUST sew all the way through the outer, Tartan fabric, and catch the stabilizer on the inside of the kilt. ( If you have not yet sewn the lining into your kilt this makes it a lot easier.)

By the way I am going to move this thread to our Kilt Advice forum section. More members may see it there.

[rpeters]

Thank you. That's what I had in mind for the buckles. In fact, after I posted this, I pulled out the stitches for the apron buckle and moved it about 2 inches back. The kilt fits much better now, although it is hard to tell how well until I pull all of the basting. Thanks for the quick response! This is an amazing group of people!

[rmccool]

Indeed!

Where else are you likely to find a highly skilled craftsman who's in the business of making and selling a particular product tell you how to make that product for yourself, instead of trying to sell you one? XMTS is a unique and very special "place."