Weight loss and Kilt Size

[Pleater]

I have a question that's related. I'm getting ready to make a kilt (my second, but first was more practice than really wearable) and am currently at a 42 waist. 44 Hip I have a goal to be at at least a 36 waist by mid August.
Is there a way to make the kilt now expecting to take it in? or should I just make two? One now, and one to celebrate my "goal" (although I have no idea what my hip would be at a 36" waist..)-mike

I have been making kilts as something I can alter to accomodate my reducing weight.

Although I have made kilts which are traditional in their pleating I have left out the more permanent fixing of the pleats.

On some I have sewn the edges of the pleats, in others just pressed them, then sewn down the 2 inches of the waist band of each pleat, using a sewing machine and a stitch which is deliberately slightly un balanced - that means that when I want to remove the stitches it is easy to pull one thread and slide it out of the loops of the other thread. On some the large pleats at the edge of the apron are a little skimped, to be extended later.

I have put on belt loops but wear the kilts with the aprons secured by safety pins rather than straps and buckles.

It is a fairly easy matter to remove the hand sewn binding from the top of the pleats and narrow the gaps, then re press and reattach the binding. The binding is either in three parts with joins at the edges of the apron, or the aprons are self bound - that is they are longer than the pleated part, folded over and reinforced with petersham or ribbon or whatever came to hand. That is rather a good idea as it means there is no possibility of a mismatch in the pattern.

I leave the reinforcing a little long and pin through that and so far there are no obvious signs of damage.

The results are perhaps less tailored than the sewn down fell and cut and lined kilts, but picking a medium weight of fabric which will press, or be sewn along the creases seems to work.

The aprons can either be narrowed by remaking the loose edges - I just fold over and sew down, no fringes, or by making larger pleats so as to keep the aprons and pleats balanced. Once I get close to the size I want to be I can perhaps make things more permanent. Sewing by hand seems to make moving belt loops easy enough. I have loose ends on the inside of the kilts so I can unpick easily, which some might think untidy - but as no one is going to see them except me it is not a problem.

[David Thornton]

OK, a swap store if you choose.
Some means of matching orphan kilts with a new home. The kilt could be turned in too small, too large, whatever.
They wouldn't even have to be in a central location, only the digital records.
It could even be expanded to accessories.
David