Resizing an exhire kilt...

**Kitfoxdave** · 8th September 25, 12:46 PM

I have been reducing my natural waist over the past 2 years... so instead of purchasing new kilts, I decided to develope the skills to rework what I have in preparation for making a complete kilt from new fabric. I completely disassembled this Scottish National kilt and reducing the yardage to 6 yards... turning the cloth inside out, as the outside is a bit worn in a couple places. Also decided to pleat the kilt to the red stripe. Will be putting in a proper stabilizer, canvas, etc...
I broke my hip in a fall several weeks ago and finally have gotten to the point where I can get things accomplished again...20250908_151244.jpg

**User** · 9th September 25, 10:51 AM

Glad to hear you're recovering!
If you're flipping the tartan and changing the pleating, were the previous pleats not scalloped out at the fell?

**Kitfoxdave** · 9th September 25, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by User

Glad to hear you're recovering!
If you're flipping the tartan and changing the pleating, were the previous pleats not scalloped out at the fell?

There were no cutouts in the fell... this was an exhire kilt... I expect they did not want to take the additional labor for doing that. Also the bottom was hemmed for the length. By shortening it to a 6 yard, the area cut away for the left hip strap hole is removed. This will make for a nice installation of the left strap and buckle internal to the kilt, removing a high stress point where failure of the tartan occurs... I will likely trim out the fell to reduce bulk at the back waist area.

**User** · 9th September 25, 11:54 AM

Ah, that make sense. Sounds like a fun project! Please post when you're finished. I'd love to see it!

**Kitfoxdave** · 10th September 25, 02:42 PM

Spent a good amount of time today basting pleats and doing some initial pressing.... tomorrow I hope to start stitching the fell on the pleats...IMG-20250910-WA0002.jpeg

**jsrnephdoc** · 13th September 25, 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by Kitfoxdave

I broke my hip in a fall several weeks ago and finally have gotten to the point where I can get things accomplished again...

👏👏

If I attempted that, I'd probably fall over the errant hem of the repurposed garment and break my OTHER hip!

**Kitfoxdave** · Today, 03:50 AM

The project is moving along... the stabilizer and hymo interfacing/canvas is in. The outer apron is nearly complete and starting the inner apron today.

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