Kilt repair

**Paul Henry** · 5th February 10, 03:02 PM

A client gave me a kilt to alter slightly, it was bought when he was 18 , and he's now over 60 , and he can still wear it (at a pinch), he is keen for me to move the straps/buckles to give him an extra 1" , I''m aiming for 2" ,we shall see.
It is one of his favourite kilts, he has 3, all of Macfarlane, in different versions, and it really has lots of sentimental reasons for preserving it.

On talking to him and then examining the kilt , it really does need some repair as well. I have taken some pictures and I thought it might make a good before and after thread.

The kilt has been through the wars, there are many repairs, for example

and

it has a large hem on the bottom

, although the selvedge is good. perahps they were thinking of a healthy growing boy!
The inside ling is a very soft green, feels a little like curtain lining but is now falling apart and will need to be replaced

Some of the stitching on the fell has come apart as well, so that will all need to be resewn

the fabric is showing real signs of wear , so I will strengthen where I can, but I will have to bind the edges of the some of the edges especially the buckle slot, where the wool has worn away to almost nothing.

I'll be working on this over hte next few weeks , so I'll post updates, I'm really interested in looking at how the kilt was made, and the differences in construction. It's lasted over 40 years so the orignial kiltmaker must have done something right.

**be da veva** · 5th February 10, 03:42 PM

This will be an interesting thread. (no pun intended)

**Kiltman** · 5th February 10, 06:03 PM

Thanks for this thread. I can't remember ever seeing one like this.

**Ozark Ridge Rider** · 5th February 10, 07:00 PM

Might it be an alternative to use a short stub strap and buckle as a buckle extender instead of moving the ones that are there?

**Farlander** · 5th February 10, 11:02 PM

Ah', a MacFarlane hunting tartan! Your pictures instantly made me smile seeing perhaps my favorite tartan.

I am looking forward to the updates!

**Blackwolf** · 6th February 10, 12:16 AM

Nice to see those pics. I have a MacFarlane modern tartan kilt. Now I can imagine what the hunting looks like.

**cessna152towser** · 6th February 10, 07:26 AM

Fascinating, Paul, I will follow the before and after with great interest.

**Standard** · 6th February 10, 07:46 AM

Definately going to subscribe to this thread. This looks like a very interesting project. The gentleman must surely love this kilt to have kept it for so long and to have had it repaired so many times rather than to have simply retired it. Be sure to post lots of photos and details of your progress.

**Pleater** · 6th February 10, 05:59 PM

Would it be of any help if you undid the hem and then shortened it from the top? - I was wondering if it would remove the most worn parts and leave you will the better fabric to work with.

That would only work if the folded edge is undamaged, of course, so it can be pressed flat and not leave a telltale line - or perhaps even fall apart along the fold.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Kiltman** · 6th February 10, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by Pleater

Would it be of any help if you undid the hem and then shortened it from the top? - I was wondering if it would remove the most worn parts and leave you will the better fabric to work with.

That would only work if the folded edge is undamaged, of course, so it can be pressed flat and not leave a telltale line - or perhaps even fall apart along the fold.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

Wonderful suggestion, but oh how much work!