How difficult is it to shorten a kilt?

[keith_b]

Hi guys,

I need some expert opinions. I've found a great deal on a heavyweight kilt in a family related tartan. Waist is the perfect size, unfortunately the drop is an inch too long. How difficult is it to shorten a 16oz wool kilt by an inch. I was thinking of sending it off to a kiltmaker to have done, not sure who, and was wondering if it was possible.

Thoughts?

Thank you kindly.

Keith.

[James Hood]

On a couple cheapies, 'have given them to local tailor to take up with a blind hem stitch.

For a quality wool kilt, personal recommendation is to send to a real kiltmaker. 'Am currently working with Bonnie Heather Greene (on this site) and respect her expertise. Many others here are well regarded as well.

[cessna152towser]

Best to pay an expert (kiltmaker) to do it for you. I once ruined a good kilt by trying to shorten it myself.

[Father Bill]

What about just wearing it an inch higher?

[Tartan Tess]

HarveyH, how would you measure a man for a kilt with a big pot belly?
By his navel or by his ribs?
Just curious.

[HarveyH]

HarveyH, how would you measure a man for a kilt with a big pot belly?

I've got a 49" kilt waist which is a reasonable big belly! I like a high rise on the kilt and I tend to wear it high so I tend to describe it as a couple of inches above my navel, when I'm talking to people.

When I am teaching singing to groups, I have trouble getting people to feel where their diaphram is and the rib cage ends - so doing that I often say find the naval and then go up 2 or 3 inches and you should be able to feel where the ribs end. People get that but if I say "feel where your ribs end" I always get blank looks.

I notice lots of photos on here of larger guys wearing kilts with the bulge over the waistband. I would not do that, but I quite understand why they might. There is no point in discussing a rib measurement if that is the way you want to wear your kilt. But if you were having a traditional kilt made to be worn at a traditional high waist then your kilt maker will ask for a measurement and make an adjustment (part of the magic of a tailor). It seems that many kilt makers understand the problem and refer to the navel.

I had a quick look at the advertisers on this site, just to see what these kiltmakers are actually asking:
Scotweb :"Kilt Waist: Tightly around waist at the navel or up to 2" above as the waist straps will be holding your kilt up!"
USA Kilts: "These kilts are meant to be worn at the "True Waist" (about 1" above your naval). This is where the top of the kilt will sit"
Bonnie Heather Greene: "Measurement A_________Natural Waist, just above navel and snug!"

I think most people get the naval measurement and I quite understand why kilt makers will use it and then do their own adjustments.

Larger men (like myself) understand the problem of the big belly better than most and get the measurment made on the waist we actually want to wear.

[Father Bill]

...and what do you call a hula-hoop with a thumb tack stuck in from the outside?
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... a naval destroyer.

[Jock Scot]

As you are only talking about an inch, how about trying raising the whole kilt an inch, before thinking about anything else? I suspect that there is a good chance that you could well find that is all that is needed. Worth a try?

[Chas]

It is not a difficult job, but it is time consuming. If you can use a needle and thread, you could do it yourself. It is after all only a hem. The fiddly bit is the repressing afterwards.

My Hunting MacLeod is hemmed and unless I tell someone they would never know.

[Mikilt]

I have taken mine to a local tailor and been happy with the results.