My kilts to long and I want to shorten it. I need advice

**OC Richard** · 23rd December 13, 06:04 AM

Wow what a lot of work that was!

I've taken out hems on a couple kilts, and that's time-consuming in itself.

For myself, if I had a kilt that was 1/2" too long I would just wear it a 1/2" higher. (The OP says the kilt was supposed to be 24.5 but was 25 instead.)

Having a kilt a hair long doesn't bother me. What does is having one that's a tad too short. I don't like having the kilt down low on my hips.

**Stan** · 23rd December 13, 08:59 AM

Thanks for the kind words. Doing the job (even starting the job) was always backed up by the thought that "If I screwed up, I can take it to a tailor". Really, the hardest part (which wasn't really hard, but simply "the hardest part") was sitting down to figure out the fringe area. After that it was simply repetition.

What was interesting was that I could look at the same kind of "hem stitch" on my kilt that was done by the kilt maker for securing a part of the apron material, and use it as an example for my work.

Actually after the effort, and the success that I had on it, I bought Barbra Tewkesbury book "the art of kilt making". I'm not sure if I'm ever going to sew a kilt or not, but (now) I'm certainly not afraid of it. I don't own a sewing machine, and so if I do decide to make a kilt it will definitely (for better, or worse) be hand sewn...LOL..

**Stan** · 23rd December 13, 09:14 AM

Hi Richard, and I agree with you about "just pulling it up", but the problem was that at 24.5 it was already almost up around my neck..LOL... Most of my kilts are 24, and with the 24.5, during the day it would work it's way down to looking like (what I thought) looked like a waiters apron..LOL... At the 25 inches, I thought that it looked like a waiters apron all the time.

So, when I decided that I was going to do the job, I decided to take out the one inch, instead of the 1/2 inch, and just go back to the 24 inch length.

**McElmurry** · 23rd December 13, 10:17 AM

Very nice work.

I probably spent more time fretting over whether or not to hem my kilt then it took you to hem yours.

**Stan** · 23rd December 13, 10:33 AM

LOL...LOL.. I did the same. I thought about it for about 2 weeks, and it took about 5 hours.

**Hawk** · 23rd December 13, 11:22 AM

Well done Stan.....

Hawk

**Stan** · 23rd December 13, 11:30 AM

Thanks Hawk....

**chasem** · 23rd December 13, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by Stan

Actually after the effort, and the success that I had on it, I bought Barbra Tewkesbury book "the art of kilt making". I'm not sure if I'm ever going to sew a kilt or not, but (now) I'm certainly not afraid of it. I don't own a sewing machine, and so if I do decide to make a kilt it will definitely (for better, or worse) be hand sewn...LOL..

If it's a concern of how capable you are, don't let that keep you from it! I'd never sewn anything in my life - aside from the occasional button - prior to buying that book. After buying it I bought some cheap handspun wool from celtic croft and dove right in attempting my first kilt. The book was solid enough that the kilt turned out great and although I noticed the flaws, most others didn't.

I've made at least five others since then and they've only gotten better each time. If you're halfway comfortable sewing and have any amount of perfectionism in you, you can do the kilt following Barb's book!

**Stan** · 23rd December 13, 03:43 PM

I think that's some sound advice. It's kind of the way that I felt ounce I started in on the hemming project. The good, and sound information on how to do it, that Steve had given me, along with his pointing me in the right direction was what I needed.

I'm looking forward to getting Barb's book, and maybe I'll tackle one an 8 yarder myself. Thanks.

Stan L.