A client gave me a kilt to alter slightly, it was bought when he was 18 , and he's now over 60 , and he can still wear it (at a pinch), he is keen for me to move the straps/buckles to give him an extra 1" , I''m aiming for 2" ,we shall see.
It is one of his favourite kilts, he has 3, all of Macfarlane, in different versions, and it really has lots of sentimental reasons for preserving it.

On talking to him and then examining the kilt , it really does need some repair as well. I have taken some pictures and I thought it might make a good before and after thread.

The kilt has been through the wars, there are many repairs, for example
and
it has a large hem on the bottom, although the selvedge is good. perahps they were thinking of a healthy growing boy!
The inside ling is a very soft green, feels a little like curtain lining but is now falling apart and will need to be replaced

Some of the stitching on the fell has come apart as well, so that will all need to be resewn

the fabric is showing real signs of wear , so I will strengthen where I can, but I will have to bind the edges of the some of the edges especially the buckle slot, where the wool has worn away to almost nothing.


I'll be working on this over hte next few weeks , so I'll post updates, I'm really interested in looking at how the kilt was made, and the differences in construction. It's lasted over 40 years so the orignial kiltmaker must have done something right.