How do you attach kilt straps?

**Braveheart88** · 23rd March 07, 10:13 AM

I made a kilt last year and used velcro instead of leather straps to close it, but now it’s coming apart and I figured I use that as an excuse to upgrade. Only problem is, I have very little sewing experience and the online pattern I used to make the kilt does not cover how to attach the straps

Can someone help me out

**way2fractious** · 23rd March 07, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Braveheart88

I made a kilt last year...
how to attach the straps...

Welcome to XMarksTheScot.

So you made your own kilt without asking us first, huh? (Just kidding

)

Let me suggest that you first acquire a book titled The Art of Kiltmaking. Order it online from Celtic Dragon Press. It has the instructions, complete with pictures, on how to attach straps and buckles. This will likely NOT be the last kilt you make, and the book will be necessary when you tackle a traditional wool kilt.

w2f

**Braveheart88** · 23rd March 07, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by way2fractious

Welcome to XMarksTheScot.

So you made your own kilt without asking us first, huh? (Just kidding

)

Let me suggest that you first acquire a book titled The Art of Kiltmaking. Order it online from Celtic Dragon Press. It has the instructions, complete with pictures, on how to attach straps and buckles. This will likely NOT be the last kilt you make, and the book will be necessary when you tackle a traditional wool kilt.

w2f

Thanks! Don't think I'll be making a wool kilt, though. It's just a wee bit too warm for that in Florida

**Alan H** · 23rd March 07, 11:24 AM

Look at it this way....you'll be hand-sewing it.

I use a leather punch and punch about 6 holes in the strap, at the base. I then thread a large needle with carpet thread, tne taking care that the stitches don't show through, but yet I get thrad through as many layers of material as I can, just hand-sew the thing on there. It takes about 20 minutes per strap.

**Braveheart88** · 24th March 07, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

Look at it this way....you'll be hand-sewing it.

I use a leather punch and punch about 6 holes in the strap, at the base. I then thread a large needle with carpet thread, tne taking care that the stitches don't show through, but yet I get thrad through as many layers of material as I can, just hand-sew the thing on there. It takes about 20 minutes per strap.

There isn't any way to machine-sew them?

**Tartan Hiker** · 24th March 07, 10:48 PM

Yes, you can machine sew leather IF it isnt too thick and you use a brand new HEAVY needle. I always use Alan H's technique when attaching leather straps, especially if I'm using a folded piece to hold the buckles on. Most home machines can't do two thicknesses of leather.

**Celtic Amazon Goddess** · 24th March 07, 05:14 PM

check out this site there you will find an article about sewing the straps on your kilt.
http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/chegc/kiltsite/kilt.htm

thats a link to the main page

http://users.tinyonline.co.uk/chegc/kiltsite/page2.htm

there is the link to the page that contains what you require.

hope this helps you out.