Eye opening construction inspection of my kilt collection

[OC Richard]

I'm very thankful for this thread, because it made me get out the two kilts I wear all the time.

Both are completely handsewn "traditional" kilts (well maybe the binding around the top was done on a machine).

I did the "stress test", grasping each side of the back of the kilt and pulling. These kilts evidently have proper stabilisers because there's no stretch at all.

BUT not so with the buckles, and it's entirely my fault! I lost weight and moved the buckles. Not knowing better, I sewed the buckles elegantly onto the wool only, not all the way through. No wonder my kilts seemed to be getting looser! The wool across the back was stretching while the kilt was being worn, and I didn't know about it. (Luckily the kilts apparently returned to more or less their original shape while hanging in the closet.)

So last night I put a bunch of stitches on each buckles' tabs all the way through to the lining and voila! I can pull on the buckles and there's no stretching. I tried the kilts on and both fit much better.

THANKS to all who contributed to this thread!

(BTW kilt #1, Muted Drummond of Perth 13oz from House of Edgar, by Wanda McSwain, made to order with seven yards, two buckles, no loops, kilt #2, Isle of Skye 16oz from Lochcarron, by Rendall of Edinburgh, made to order with seven yards, two buckles, no loops.)