Re-making a kilt

[freddie]

Due to health problems I've been advised by my doctor to loose some weight, and as my kilts are getting slack on the tightest fit already I fear I will soon have to think about alterations. I've read that a kiltmaker can 'rip down' a kilt and remake it and I wondered how drastic a process this would be, and would the end result be as good as a brand new kilt. For instance would the top apron be correctly centered and would there be visible creases where the original pleats had been pressed down. My best kilt is in the MacDonald of The Isles hunting tartan which is very similar to Mackenzie, and I wish now that I had had it pleated to the white stripe instead of to the sett. If I did have this kilt re-made I would like it in this style. Is it feasable

[ChattanCat]

Due to health problems I've been advised by my doctor to loose some weight, and as my kilts are getting slack on the tightest fit already I fear I will soon have to think about alterations. I've read that a kiltmaker can 'rip down' a kilt and remake it and I wondered how drastic a process this would be, and would the end result be as good as a brand new kilt. For instance would the top apron be correctly centered and would there be visible creases where the original pleats had been pressed down. My best kilt is in the MacDonald of The Isles hunting tartan which is very similar to Mackenzie, and I wish now that I had had it pleated to the white stripe instead of to the sett. If I did have this kilt re-made I would like it in this style. Is it feasable

Usually, the pleats are cut out above the fell to the top of the kilt to reduce the amount of material around the waist. Depending on whether they are cut out or not will depend on whether you can re-pleat the kilt.

there are ways to reduce the number of pleats and reducing the edges of the aprons so the centering of the apron should not be a problem.

[sydnie7]

Read post #18 in this thread for a great explanation of how a kilt is properly resized (thanks to our Wizard).

[Barb T]

Altering a kilt is an expensive proposition if it's done right. A standard alteration, which involves making only the apron and underapron smaller (and re-centering both) but not removing pleats is likely to cost $150 or more, if it's done by a kiltmaker who knows what he/she is doing. If you've lost so much weight that you want pleats taken out as well, it would be more expensive than that.

And, as Wally has pointed out, the fabric is cut out behind the pleats to reduce bulk, so you can't do a whole lot to repleat the kilt, even if you were willing to pay someone to take your kilt apart and then put it back together again. Much better to sell the one you have and have a new one made.

[Freedomlover]

...Much better to sell the one you have and have a new one made.

Yes indeed.

[auld argonian]

Not to say that alterations aren't a good idea, have you considered just selling the current kilts on ebay and using the money toward the cost of a new one? It seems like there are so many willing buyers out there now (do ya' think that Xsmarks has anything to do with that?) that you might clear enough to make a good dent in the price of a replacement. Just another possible strategy...gotta look at the cost/benefit ratio.

Best

AA

[Packhound]

Having constructed my own kilt now, I MIGHT be willing to try an alteration on my own. But if you need extensive reconstruction (ie. pleats removed) then I agree with the others that the best bet is to sell the old and buy anew.

However, if any are box-pleated, then you should be able to rework those kilts.

[ScottEPooh]

As far as re-selling goes, just ask Ron (Riverkilt). He sold quite a few (40+ I believe) right here on XMarks, one of which I was the recipient (USA Cladish). Part of it was due to sizes, and part due to funding a large upgrade, as I understand. It seems, from other posts, that this might be the more profitable way to go! Just my 2 cents!!!

[Barb T]

Took me all of one day to sell a used Highland Granite kilt here on XMarks. Fairly took my breath away! But I was delighted.

[Mr. Woolery]

How much "distance" are we talking about losing from the kilt? If we are talking about 3-5" then that can probably be done with just relocating the buckles and straps. (My mom was the quartermaster for the local pipe band for several years and got used to minor things like this as a way to make a too-large kilt work for a thinner person.) It may seem like a kludge, but it resizes the kilt for the cost of thread and it works well enough that it is hard to tell who in the band has a kilt made for him/her and who has one of the altered jobs.

If it is more than a few inches, then you are probably best off selling and replacing.

-Patrick