Can a Kilt Be Re-sized?

[Ron of Wayne]

Fortunately, I found this site while searching for information on re-sizing a kilt. I was given a beautiful heavy-weight kilt recently and want to wear it. It is about 2 inches too short in the waist from I need to buckle the inside waist. Is there a way (extension piece or new longer belt sewn in place) to simply enlarge the waist? Many thanks. Ron

[ardchoille]

from Seattle, WA.
I've heard of folks moving the buckles in order to resize the waist.

[Bugbear]

Welcome. Not too sure on the question, but I'm sure it will be answered. Barb T would know...

[Tattoo Bradley]

Two inches is probably about the maximum increase with out re-construction involved, I believe. Our kiltmakers will surely chime in and correct me if I'm wrong.

You may be able to simply adjust the positioning of the strap and buckle to accomodate your size. It's simple enough. However, if that's not possible it still may be possible to have it altered by a kiltmaker, or possibly a tailor/seamstress whom you trust.

Oh and

Please post in the Newbie section and introduce yourself to The Rabble. We're always glad to have new folks in our ranks.

[Ayin McFye]

I had a kilt a long time ago that I had to resize. It had 15 knife pleats in it, and they were each two inch deep pleats. All I did was take a seam ripper and remove one of the pleats to give one of the aprons some extra length. Removing buckles and resewing them on should also be able to give you a little bit of reach as well. I'm sure with the combination of the two you should be able to get the kilt to fit.

If you posted a few pictures of the kilt "wearing it, a pleat shot, and a front shot, and a shot where the buckles currently are" we will be able to help more with it.

BTW

[McMurdo]

In short yes, of course it is easier to go smaller than larger my advise would be to take it to a kiltmaker and see what they can do for you.

[Monkey@Arms]

I had a kilt a long time ago that I had to resize. It had 15 knife pleats in it, and they were each two inch deep pleats. All I did was take a seam ripper and remove one of the pleats to give one of the aprons some extra length.

Ayin, Was it a pleat adjacent to the apron that you performed that "operation" on, or something like a Stillwater?

I'd be worried that a back pleat on the OP's kilt might have had the excess material cut out above the fell (assuming it's a properly constructed full weight wool kilt), in which case opening such a pleat might be a problem, no?

Best regards,

Jake

[James MacMillan]

from Sunny Southern California, just outside the back gate of Camp Pendleton!

If it were me, I'd just move the buckle.

[ChattanCat]

Hi, from KC.

The ease/difficulty of altering a kilt depends on how the kilt was made. If you have a traditional, knife pleated kilt, it will be good quality and most likely the extra material around the waist has been removed. Couple ways to tell: are the pleats sewn from the hips up to the top of the kilt?

Is there a lining? Pictures would help here.

There are two easy ways to adjust the kilt: moving the buckles or moving the strap. There may be enough to make the adjustment. The bad side is the center of the apron will not be the center of the kilt. This is why you don't want to do too much alterations to a kilt. They might start having problems because the apron edge will not cover the underapron and the inverted pleat may bulge.

Does it have two buckles on one side? You might want to let a little out in the hips too.

[James MacMillan]

Listen to ChattanCat - He's an accomplished kilt maker, while I, on the other hand, am just an accomplished kilt wearer.