Weight loss and Kilt Size

[CooperTX]

I bought a kilt from Celtic Croft last year when my waist was a size 40" waist. I have since lost 60lbs and am now a size 34" waist. Is it possible to take the kilt down that much? And if so would I be able to do it? Thanks in advance for any advice!

[MACKAY]

I bought a kilt from Celtic Croft last year when my waist was a size 40" waist. I have since lost 60lbs and am now a size 34" waist. Is it possible to take the kilt down that much? And if so would I be able to do it? Thanks in advance for any advice!

Not sure about the kilt adjustment, but nice going on the weight loss. I have been losing weight as well and have gone from a 44" to a 38" and was overjoyed. However I too now have a few kilts that seem a bit big and was wondering the same thing myself.

Brian Mackay

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Well,

I could be wrong, but 6" seems like it is a bit too much to alter a kilt. You could certainly move the buckles/straps, but I would think that much movement would tend to make the kilt look odd. The apron would wrap around the waist almost to the rear.

You might be better served to sell the larger kilts here or on eBay and buying appropriately sized ones. And BTW, I do happen to be a perfect 40!

[646guy]

Well,

I could be wrong, but 6" seems like it is a bit too much to alter a kilt. You could certainly move the buckles/straps, but I would think that much movement would tend to make the kilt look odd. The apron would wrap around the waist almost to the rear.

You might be better served to sell the larger kilts here or on eBay and buying appropriately sized ones. And BTW, I do happen to be a perfect 40!

Hey hey hey.....just remember my chapter of the Kilt Adoption Agency takes in 40s as well.... Nice comfy hangers...lots of love...no moths...

It does seem like too much to take in but you may want to call the Celtic Croft to get their opinion on it first as it's their product and may know more. Otherwise, I have the perfect home for it...

[UmAnOnion]

a good kiltmaker/tailor should be able to take out several pleats in the back, which along with moving the buckles coudl take it down the needed 6". the seam/join could be hidden inside one of the pleats and as long as done correctly will not impact movement any...

[The Wizard of BC]

Barb Tewksbury is the Author of "The Art of Kiltmaking" and a master kiltmaker.
She also happens to be a member of this forum.
Give her a PM and ask her advice.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Can a kilt be taken in by 6"? Yes, it can. Can you do it yourself? I'm afriad I cannot answer that one! But I can say that an adjustment like that will involved more than simply moving straps and buckles around.

In order to preserve the look of your kilt, you are going to have to take off 3" (1.5" from either side) from each apron, and take out 3" worth of pleats in the back of the kilt. Yes, you will have to literally cut out some of the pleats and seam your kilt back together.

My advice is, unless you are experienced with this sort of work, let a kilt maker alter it for you. I can't speak for anyone else, but I charge $30 per hour for that type of work, and you are looking at probably a 4 hour job.

Feel free to PM me if interested.

Aye,
Matt

[David Thornton]

See, we do need a kilt adoption agency, a place wher you could place those great kilts and pick up some smaller ones.

Or you could realize the gift you have been given and just get new.

David

[Barb T]

A standard kilt alteration involves changing the size of just the apron and underapron. For a small alteration (maybe an inch or so on each side), the resulting disparity in size between the apron and the pleats won't be noticeable. For a 6" change, though, that would be 3" on each side. If you did a standard alteration, you'd have a kilt with an apron that looked skimpy in comparison to the pleats.

So, you'd need to do an alteration that involves taking out at least one or two pleats on each side as well as altering the apron and underapron. Because the extra fabric is cut out in the pleats, you can't simply transfer what was in the pleats to the apron, so the alteration would not only involve taking out pleats but putting in two joins, one on each side of the pleats and stitching the apron and underapron back on as separate pieces.

All in all, this is a major alteration project. Can you do it yourself? Yes, if you would be willing to make your own kilt, because taking your kilt apart and altering it will involve essentially re-making the kilt. If you wanted to have a go at it, you could buy my book and just follow the kilt-making instructions (and I could help you figure out where to start and how much you'd have to un-do). If you want to hire someone else to do it, you'll need to find a kiltmaker. An average seamstress won't know what to do or how to do it properly. But, realize that this is such a major reconstruction that it might cost nearly as much to have done as the original labor in the kilt!

All in all, I'd sell the sucker and get a new one that fits right! Good celebration for having lost so much weight!

Barb

[gemboy12]

I went through a similar situation. The Kiltmaker I went to ,rather that cut the apron, folded the excess fabric back. That way if my son is bigger than me when he inherits the kilt , it won't be such an problem to modify for him.

Good job on dropping the weight!

Jim Barringer