Kilt alterations

**Father Bill** · 18th March 23, 06:51 AM

You can do it!

I'm no tailor, but I've done it successfully several times, for myself and others. If I remember properly, you need to move the strap on the side that goes through the hole, and the buckle on the other side.

The one thing that is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL, is that you sew right through the whole waistband. If you only sew through the tartan, it will stretch, distort, and possibly rip. If you go through the tartan, stabilizer, and lining, nobody will ever know it, and your kilt will remain strong and undistorted.

Use a very strong thread.

**Rokerr2163** · 18th March 23, 07:07 AM

I have the opposite problem. I've gained more than a few pounds around the middle and either need to let my kilt out to the original waist size, or use extender straps (which I've been doing).

**Father Bill** · 18th March 23, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by Rokerr2163

I have the opposite problem. I've gained more than a few pounds around the middle and either need to let my kilt out to the original waist size, or use extender straps (which I've been doing).

Same process.

**Tobus** · 20th March 23, 04:19 AM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

The one thing that is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL, is that you sew right through the whole waistband. If you only sew through the tartan, it will stretch, distort, and possibly rip. If you go through the tartan, stabilizer, and lining, nobody will ever know it, and your kilt will remain strong and undistorted.

While it is indeed important to stitch through the structural elements, I avoid stitching through the lining. Granted, as you said, no one will ever know. But I have found it helpful to carefully undo the light whip-stitching that keeps the liner secured at the bottom edge and peel it back so that I can visually confirm where my relocated buckle stitches are penetrating through the "innards". Then whip-stitch the liner back into place for a neat and tidy finish.