Pin Problems

[Pancho]

I use a variety of kilt pins, some antique, some bought, some I made, and I have had several that would fall off at every chance. I've found that pierced ear-ring retainers, little clear rubbery-plastic knobs that you can get at most ear-ring stores, about twenty to fifty cents each. I put the pin through the kilt once, slide the keeper on and up nearly to the top of the pin, put the pin back through the cloth to the front of the kilt and latch it, then slide the keeper up to the top of the pin. It may still come unlatched, but it will NOT come off the kilt, as the kilt pins are thicker than ear-ring pins, and thus fit much more tightly.
Try it.

Same principle.......I cut a small piece of wide rubber band and stick the pin thru it a couple of times on the back of the apron. It won't keep the latch from coming undone but it will most likely keep you from losing the pin entirely. You can't see this arrangement from the front of the apron and its un-noticable even if you show the under side.

[Bellfree]

Interesting thread. I too had a kilt pin come loose once and thought it was odd, only to have it happen again. So I experimented with the positioning of the pin placement and found that, for reasons I don't understand, the more fabric covering the pin, the less likely it came loose. Conversely, if I had more pin exposed on top of the fabric, the more likely it came loose. That was a while back and haven't thought about it til seeing this thread. Good luck.

[SteveB]

Gentlepeople:
I have not (yet) lost a pin device. I bought a small square of gasket rubber at the local hardware store (spare neoprene washers will work as well). I have cut small rectangles to use as "backers" for the pins. This was learned in the military. To keep my name tag and ribbons in inspection order, I used a rectangle the just under the length and width of the badge. slipped the pins through the shirt or blouse, then pressed the rubber over the pins than the clips went on. The badges, etc. stayed fastened in the proper location all the time. I only lost two pin backers in the four years I served. Now for the through the garment and return pins, I do basically the same thing, only I hold the rubber on the inside, slip the pin through the fabric, then the rubber, back through the rubber, and then through the fabric to the clasp, with as much pin behind the fabric as I can and have the pin sit flat. This has worked well with my kilt pins, and as an added bonus seems to prevent wear on the fabric at the pin entry/exit points. In a pinch I have used a rubber (eraser) on the back of backer pins, with great sucess especially if I remember to push them back against the backer, then the backer can't release itself from the pin.
Good luck. These have worked on my fire brigade and police uniforms as well.

[ardchoille]

.. put a dolop of hot glue on the latch of the pin. It dries quickly but make sure it dries before letting it rest back on the kilt! Hot glue from a hot glue gun will hold the latch securly but when and if you decide to remove the pin the glue is weak and rubbery enough that you can just pull the dried dolop off..

That is a great idea, glad you mentioned it.

[cacunn]

duplicate post

[cacunn]

Deleted by CACUNN.

[turpin]

You can do the same thing by cutting one of those foam ear plugs in half lengthwise and sticking the pin through it on the underside of the apron.

[kfreeouf]

I buy cheap O-rings from Harbor Freight and stretch them over the posts or pierce them with the barbs depending on the pin type.
Works OK for me...cheap insurance!
Semper Fi,
Keith