Sizing down a kilt

**CooperTX** · 24th May 05, 02:08 PM

Hi I've lurked quite a bit around this site for the last few months and now find myself needing a question answered if it's alright with everyone. :smile: I ordered a kilt about 25lbs ago and now that it is here, it's a bit roomy. I guess that's a good problem to have! However, what should I, or can I do? Thanks!!!

**chasem** · 24th May 05, 02:24 PM

Let me first say welcome aboard!

With that out of the way, unfortunately, I can't help you personally, but I know there are several here who can! g'luck!

**Colin** · 24th May 05, 02:26 PM

Who did you order it from? Maybe they would be able to resize it properly for you.

Welcome to the board

**GMan** · 24th May 05, 03:44 PM

I see two options that I do NOT recommend:

1. Gain the weight back.

2. Wash it in HOT water and let it shrink.

Colin has given great advise, but if the kiltmaker will not help for some reason, many others here on the board can and will help, I am sure, as we are a talented lot.

WELCOME to the board, and Cooper TX is very important to my life as my Grandmother was born in Cooper. (Now watch me get embarassed because you are not from Cooper)

**Doc Hudson** · 24th May 05, 04:42 PM

If the kiltmaker you bought the kilt from, or the kiltmakers on this board can't help, there is one alternative I know about.

You can contact King Kilts. They regularly alter kilts to fit expanding or shrinking waist sizes. I can not speak about how good the service is since I've never used it, but Elijah of Kink Kilts was a long time poster here.

**CooperTX** · 24th May 05, 08:06 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome! :grin:

No, I am not from Cooper, TX. I do currently live in Waco, TX however, but am originally from MI.

I know a few who can sew down here, I may see what they can do for me, and as the one is married to a kilted gent, it may be quite a bit. ;-)

Though any more advice will be appreciated, and once again, I am glad to be here!

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 25th May 05, 04:29 AM

What needs to be done depends largely on how much it needs to be taken in. If we are only talking about an inch or two, then this can easily be accomplished by moving the straps and buckles a bit. You don't have to be a kilt maker to do this, you just have to know how to sew.

If it needs to be taken in by, say, more than three inches, it would be best to send the kilt to a kilt maker willing to do alterations, with a new set of measurements. They will probably charge by the hour, and how much it will be would depend on just how much re-tailoring would need to be done.

If you don't know anyone in your area, let me know and I'll get you some phone numbers of people here in NC I know who do alterations.
Aye,
Matt

**Jerry** · 25th May 05, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by CooperTX

Hi I've lurked quite a bit around this site for the last few months and now find myself needing a question answered if it's alright with everyone. :smile: I ordered a kilt about 25lbs ago and now that it is here, it's a bit roomy. I guess that's a good problem to have! However, what should I, or can I do? Thanks!!!

See my post on the same question on April 20 of this year. You'll have to change the search parameters below to see it, just change posts from this month to last 45 days. There is some good advice there. Here is what Barb T, one of the fine professionals on the forum, told me.

"You actually can't move the _buckle_ on the underapron side. Or, more accurately, you _could_ move it, but it wouldn't do you any good in terms of making the kilt fit tighter. So, what you need to do is move the _buckles_ on the apron side and the _strap_ on the underapron side. Leave the straps on the apron side where they are and the buckle on the underapron side where it is."

Cheers!

barb
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**Cawdorian** · 12th September 05, 06:58 AM

If the waist of a traditional 8 yard kilt needs to be taken in, do you move the two buckles on the wearer's right side (apron) and shorten the length of the buckle strap on the left side of the apron (underapron) where it fits through the "button hole"? How far do you need move the straps and buckles to properly reduce the waist size 2 inches, 1 inch on each side? I don't mean to be redundant but only want to make certain I correctly understand the process.

I assume there is enough space, excess fabric or pleat that the match of the tartan won't be affected.

Jim

**Big Paul** · 12th September 05, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by CooperTX

Thanks for the warm welcome! :grin:

No, I am not from Cooper, TX. I do currently live in Waco, TX however, but am originally from MI.

I know a few who can sew down here, I may see what they can do for me, and as the one is married to a kilted gent, it may be quite a bit. ;-)

Though any more advice will be appreciated, and once again, I am glad to be here!

Well from one Michigander to another, welcome to the forum!

Where abouts the mitten state did you live?