Thrift store Campbell Ancient kilt with moth holes

[Dale-of-Cedars]

Fortune favours the prepared mind; on my usual quick scan of the skirt aisle at Value Village I found a Scottish-made, hand-stitched, 7-yard, knife-pleated, medium-weight kilt in Campbell Ancient for $20, and it fits me exactly.

Of course the moth in the ointment is that it has a sprinkling of moth holes on the sides of the aprons and a couple in the pleats. [pictures will follow after the kilt spends the requisite 24+ hours in the deep-freeze.]

I saw the holes before I bought it and went ahead anyway, with the idea that it would serve as knocking-about kilt for around the house and for local walks.

The question I'm asking is whether I should stabilize the holes with a dark iron-on interfacing behind, or just not worry about the holes fraying, or... what?
Wouldn't reweaving a dozen holes probably cost as much as a new (casual) kilt?

[sydnie7]

The fiber fans over at Ravelry recommend a 3 step process: freezer for 48-72 hours, thaw 4-5 days, then repeat the freeze. This should kill 'em good, including any eggs lurking in crevices.

[GrainReaper]

For halting the moth damage, try using fray check, I've used it making things And it works great for preventing fraying.

I used it on a selvage issue, to seal up some edges on grosgrain flashes, moth holes, and to hold a knot in place on woven flashes (frazzle control)

[IsaacW]

Okay... maybe not worthless, but it would be nice to see the extent of moth damage. Also, I just want to see it. I am jonesing for a Campbell Ancient kilt and you got a steal!!!

[Dale-of-Cedars]

OK, freeze-thaw-freeze, Fray Check, pics.
Got it.

[Jock Scot]

........... or do as the Scots with these sorts of problems, be they moth holes, bullet holes(yes!), cigaret burns, sparks from the fire, terrier attack, anything from a wee hole to one you can put your fist through----I kid you not! Firstly, sew on a patch on the inside----a bit of old shirt will do. Secondly, Find`a bit of appropriate tartan----for almost certain sure it will not match the original ------- cut to size and sew over the hole on the outside. Job done, get on with life and apologise to no one!

An after thought.

If you are lucky enough to have the holes in the outside apron, just reverse the apron(who will notice?) and patch both sides of the now hidden hole with a couple of bits of old shirt(it stops the hole getting bigger overtime).

[Dale-of-Cedars]

Walked with my better half over to vote in our civic elections today. A good opportunity to take the new kilt out of the freezer for a spin in our sunny (temporarily) 6*C weather. And I got to use the looong blue hose (had to fold the cuff over twice and it's still a bit high) that came with a batch I bought, but didn't think I'd ever need.

IMG_0126a.jpg
The front apron could do with a pressing:
IMG_0130a.jpg
The worst of the holes are in the kilt-pin area:
IMG_0132a.jpg
With a couple on the left side of the front apron:
IMG_0129a.jpg
And at least one hidden in the pleats:
IMG_0131a.jpg
But the pleating is very nice:
IMG_0127a.jpg
And the fabric has a very soft hand, but I'm not sure if it's even medium-weight, I'll have to weigh it and divide by 7 yards.
Still, not bad for $20...

[IsaacW]

For$20 you did amazingly well! Looks great!

[Mike S]

Nice find. Wearing a $20 kilt with a few wee moth holes just makes you look even more Scottish (i.e. frugal).

[Calgacus]

I'd be tempted just to stop the fraying and leave it at that. The wee holes just add a bit of character!