New girl here could use some help! :-)

**l'esprit** · 16th January 07, 06:40 PM

Thanks to everyone who has given help so far! Especially Panache for your long helpful reply!

MacHummel - that is really cute, but I'm looking for a kilt for my man, not for me.

**MacHummel** · 16th January 07, 06:46 PM

I do those too

**Panache** · 16th January 07, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by l'esprit

Thanks to everyone who has given help so far! Especially Panache for your long helpful reply!

Glad to be of service M'lady (Panache doffs his plumed hat)

Cheers

**ccga3359** · 16th January 07, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by Panache

Glad to be of service M'lady (Panache doffs his plumed hat)

Cheers

Such a gentleman. Keep giving us kilties a good name and we might find ourselves not only accepted but sought after in public.

**ckelly327** · 17th January 07, 05:37 AM

Definitely listen to Panache. He knows what he's talking about and the accesories can add up with the first kilt. I have 2 Stillwater kilts and they are both well made and their customer service and delivery is superb. I did have to have them hemmed but if you can't do it yourself it only cost me about $20 at a professional. Also, in the Spinal Tap video, David's appears to be hanging a little low - maybe just the camera angle or the jumping around. Read lots of posts around here but most people prefer to that a kilt be worn at mid knee or just above.

Welcome, congratulations on your choice and good luck with your boyfriend and his kiltedness.

**Warlock** · 17th January 07, 05:52 AM

AYE! But ya need tae top it off wi' a handmade Dreadbelly Tam!

**Dirk Skene** · 17th January 07, 07:53 AM

This is not a direct reply to your question. I just wanted to say you are a great gal & your man is soooooo lucky.

**thescot** · 17th January 07, 08:09 AM

Funny how the lads turn out for a wee lass in distress. Who says chivalry is dead?

It appears to me that your best advice it to purchase the heavy weight from Stillwater Kilts. You can't beat that price for a wool kilt. For about 140 bucks delivered, you'll have a real kilt and a few dollars left over for the accoutrements you'll need. (Kilt belt, sporran, hose, and flashes.) A little searching on ebay can score serviceable items in all those categories. And if you can thread a needle, you can make your own flashes for the price of ribbon and elastic.

Nothing gives the "swing" you're looking for like real wool. And it'll never wear out!

And if it is too long--it's not likely to be too short, trust me--you should have it carefully cut but someone who knows what they're doing; you usually don't hem kilts; the bottom should be selvage, and a hem can mess up the swing.

As to shortness, I've found that many first-time kilters are prone to making the thing too long. For best looks, I think it should never be lower than the very top of the knee cap. A bit shorter is better, especially if he'll be out walking or climbing trails. And those younger fellows often have better legs than us old geezers.

I have no idea how your fellow's tastes run, but if they are at all traditional, stick to the "standards" to begin with. Look at some of Panache's pictures to see examples of what I mean.

**Livingston** · 17th January 07, 08:39 AM

Originally Posted by thescot

{snip}

Nothing gives the "swing" you're looking for like real wool. And it'll never wear out!

And if it is too long--it's not likely to be too short, trust me--you should have it carefully cut but someone who knows what they're doing; you usually don't hem kilts; the bottom should be selvage, and a hem can mess up the swing.

{snip}
I have no idea how your fellow's tastes run, but if they are at all traditional, stick to the "standards" to begin with. Look at some of Panache's pictures to see examples of what I mean.

Never cut the length down on a kilt. I have a Stillwater Heavyweight which was too long for me. I sat down with a needle and thread after turning it up about 2 inches. Looks fine, swings fine and no one can tell. (See Denver Kilt Night Pics thread) If you want to cut it, you'll have to take it completely apart, cut it from the waist and redo all of the work. Not worth it and you probably wouldn't get it back together properly.

**possingk** · 17th January 07, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by Livingston

Never cut the length down on a kilt. I have a Stillwater Heavyweight which was too long for me. I sat down with a needle and thread after turning it up about 2 inches. Looks fine, swings fine and no one can tell. (See Denver Kilt Night Pics thread) If you want to cut it, you'll have to take it completely apart, cut it from the waist and redo all of the work. Not worth it and you probably wouldn't get it back together properly.

Never is a very strong word, I agree that you shouldn't cut the bottom of a kilt, but I also feel that hemming a kilt does change the garmet itself. I have shortened two kilts standard SWK's for members of my pipe band, and cut both of them from the top, then rebuilt the top of them. This included moving straps and buckles and creating a new waist band to hold it all together. I used Matt's Newsome's inside buckle method so I didn't have to cut through the kilt after shortening.

Was it challenging, yes very much so, did they come out as good as new, not in my eyes, but the recipients loved them and they fit. One kilt had 4 inches taken off, I am almost done with that. Words of advice it is easier to shorten the economies, than the standards and I assume heavy weights because of the fell already being sewed down makes cutting and such a challenge.

Best of luck to you in your search, SWK's are great kilts, but don't forget about the other kiltmakers here. Keep in mind if you get a heavy weight it isn't washable, where the standards are, as well as the kilts made by Rocky as USA Kilts and MacHummel at Canadian Casual Kilts. With the two PV kilts, they are custom made which means no shortening, if the 24" works for your man then this isn't an issue, and you can't beat the price.