Desperately Seeking Help with How to Stitch the Strap Slit

**Grey Fortress** · 26th July 14, 06:26 PM

My kiltmaking mentor has left this mortal coil and thus I cannot go to her for a refresher course in bespoke kilt making. The last kilt I made was in 2010. Now, I have been commissioned for 4 kilts to be made before the end of October!

My Google-Fu has failed me. I have spent the last 2 days searching everywhere and any way to find directions for the left side strap slit.

Can anyone point me to a tutorial or video or something that shows how to make the darn thing properly?

Regards,

**ASinclair** · 26th July 14, 07:09 PM

Hello Grey Fortress!

I don't have the answer to your question, but I'm sure some of our kilt making members will help you out. If you have not already done so, you may want to introduce yourself in the Newbie Forum.

**Grey Fortress** · 26th July 14, 07:47 PM

Technically not a newbie as I recently got the anniversary email, just don't get here very often. Thanks for the response. Funny that, one of my bespoke kilts is in Greenville...

**Steve Ashton** · 26th July 14, 08:15 PM

Get thee a copy of "The Art of Kiltmaking" by our own Barb T.

www.celticdragonpress.com

Or better yet, put the left strap on the inside of the kilt and the buckle on the under-apron. You can then alter the size of the kilts, if necessary, in about ten minutes.

There is then no built in weak point of the kilt totally defeating the stabilizer and interfacing.

**Grey Fortress** · 26th July 14, 08:27 PM

Well then, I shall but at the moment the price of the book is too dear for one bit of information. What an idea, no opening at all. Two of the kilts are for young Highland Dancers who will change size so that makes so much sense. I thank thee.

**Alan H** · 28th July 14, 02:47 PM

I've made two, count 'em TWO kilts with the side slit. It was a royal pain. I now make ALL my kilts with the inside belt and buckle. It's 10x easier to do, easier to adjust and feels no different.

**Grey Fortress** · 28th July 14, 06:29 PM

Well, since I have had no other response and no further luck finding out how to proceed, inside buckle and strap it will be. Thanks.

**Barb T** · 28th July 14, 06:32 PM

You can download a free supplement to The Art of Kiltmaking that has instructions for making a box pleated kilt, and, toward the end, you'll find instructions for how to put on buckles and straps without a slit/buttonhole (the way Steve described above). You can download the pdf from my web site at:

http://people.hamilton.edu/btewksbu/personal/kiltmaking

Scroll down to the block "Learn how to make your own kilt", and click on the red link to download the box pleat supplement.