'turning' kilts?

**OC Richard** · 8th April 14, 07:56 PM

In a forum for people who play in pipe bands, a person in a UK band said the following:

"You could get them turned so you could re-use them, even for any kids in the band who soon grow out of them. We did that a number of old kilts our band had."

Another UK-based person said

"Turning them inside out gives the material a new lease of life.
This does mean remaking the kilt but at least you don't have to shell out on the cost of a bale of tartan."

How feasible is 'turning' a kilt? Does it really save money? Sounds like it could be more difficult than making a kilt from scratch, and if so, might not a kiltmaker charge more for 'turning' a kilt than making one?

**MacLowlife** · 9th April 14, 04:11 AM

I believe it would come down chiefly to the cost of labor- and the skill required. Tartan fabric is not cheap, but what percentage of the total cost of the kilt is materials? I am pretty sure that doing things out of order - starting with the peats already cut away- would make it more difficult.

Another thing- you have simply exposed a new surface- you haven't done anything about moth holes or stains that go all of the way through.

I have had colars turned on shirts, which is vaguely similar. Usually, some other part of the shirt wears out shortly thereafter.

**Tobus** · 9th April 14, 05:41 AM

I seem to recall Jock Scot (or other Highland members) mentioning it before. Scots being naturally thrifty and often unable to afford the cost of a new kilt, it has become a tradition to try to reuse a kilt when it gets worn out, either by reversing the aprons (when front damage is the main issue) or turning the whole thing. I'm sure it does require extensive rebuilding, but with some ingenuity I'm sure it could be done with nice results.

**TheOfficialBren** · 9th April 14, 11:47 AM

If I recall correctly there is a current clan chief whose kilt is exactly this and another who has, indeed, reversed his aprons (right over left rather than the usual left over right).

I may be wrong but I believe that I read about these here on XMTS.

**figheadair** · 9th April 14, 12:36 PM

It was a tradition over here in the past to turn the material and in effect get a new(ish) kilt. I have no idea of the cost but in the past it would certainly have been a cheaper option. It was easier with a box-pleated kilt because the material is not cut at the top of the pleats. And think on this, in the days when a kilt was made from the full width of the material then it could also be turned upside down and re-sewn. Very handy if the selvedge wears out.

More recently some of the top range shops, the likes of Kinloch-Anderson etc, used to supply an extra yard of cloth at the time the kilt was made so that the apron could be replaced if worn or damaged, however if it were the former then there would undoubtedly have been a colour difference because of the fading of the material over time.

**Barb T** · 12th April 14, 03:51 PM

If you had someone willing to do it for you at no cost, it would be a no-brainer. But to hire someone to do it?? If someone were to ask me to do it, it wouldn't be cheap, to be honest - would require first taking the entire kilt apart and then re-making it. Honestly? I would advise them to sell the kilt and use the proceeds to commission a new kilt.

**Jock Scot** · 13th April 14, 12:45 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I seem to recall Jock Scot (or other Highland members) mentioning it before. Scots being naturally thrifty and often unable to afford the cost of a new kilt, it has become a tradition to try to reuse a kilt when it gets worn out, either by reversing the aprons (when front damage is the main issue) or turning the whole thing. I'm sure it does require extensive rebuilding, but with some ingenuity I'm sure it could be done with nice results.

Most certainly reversing the apron was not uncommon in the past ------- in fact, I saw a kilt yesterday with a reversed apron--------, well, amongst the minority that wore the kilt in the first place, that is. Thrift was certainly upermost in the minds of those who owned the kilt, even when we consider that in those days most, not all, civilian kilts were worn by the better off anyway. I do not remember noticing the whole kilt being "turned" and whilst it may have been done, I think that I may well have noticed the pleats,or, selvedge with more distinct "new"colours and I don't recall seeing that.

Many here who are new to the kilt scene, who understandably fuss about their new kilt, will be shocked at the state of repair of some of the kilts(many kilts could be over 50 years old) that are happilly worn out and about, even these days. Thrift is the order of the day and make no mistake, many of these kilt wearers are not short of a bob, or, two!

**imrichmond** · 13th April 14, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Many here who are new to the kilt scene, who understandably fuss about their new kilt, will be shocked at the state of repair of some of the kilts(many kilts could be over 50 years old) that are happilly worn out and about, even these days. Thrift is the order of the day and make no mistake, many of these kilt wearers are not short of a bob, or, two!

I still regularly wear the kilt I bought for myself with money earned at a part-time job in 1959 when I was 15 years old (I never got any taller). It has two tiny moth holes in among the pleats and a small tear in one pleat near the bottom of the fell, but you have to really hunt to find the former and the latter was expertly repaired. The kilt was made by (or probably for) the shop of Hugh MacPherson of Edinburgh, who had a shop and a mail-order business also in St. Catherines, Ontario in the 1950s. I also still have the tan balmoral and the Gordon Highlanders officers' pattern sgian dubh I bought from Hugh MacPherson shortly after receiving the kilt. I own other kilts now, but I still like to wear my 55-year-old, medium-weight MacKenzie modern. It's an old friend that I share many great memories with.

**TheOfficialBren** · 13th April 14, 02:34 PM

Regarding the older kilts that are more "lived in," it seems like there is a sense of comfort and cultural continuity in keeping some of these less-than-perfect kilts. They may be beaten about, snagged here and there, and have a few blemishes but they are a testiment to lives lived. Also, for the senior gentlemen amongst us, I'd wager that very few garments will last 60 + years but it sounds like kilts sure can!

Neat thread. Bravo.