Feileadh Mor Help advice

**Colin maclennan** · 1st April 13, 08:51 AM

Hi all
I have trolled the web of knowledge thumbed the life out of most of the books on this subject and yet to no avail and to my horror being very much of pure scots pedigree I have not found my answer to my question which of course is........................... How to fix a length of string or a belt to your plaid once bought to form a 1600/1700 century style kilt am just not having it that 3.000 scots lying on the ground rolling around was the common thing to do at the time after all we have invented the world am sure there’s a simple and yet ingenues way of doing this has this subject come up before and I’ve missed it is there pictures of some 1 who has done this would it be possible for someone to guide me to a magical place so I can see it for my self

tapadh leat. Colin

**usonian** · 1st April 13, 10:02 AM

You might want to look into sewing the pleats in place:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...at-kilt-23967/

**seumasFinn** · 1st April 13, 11:20 AM

some places offer to sew on belt loops to make it easier. I played with one once a long time ago, just lay the belt down and pleat over it, or pleat it and slip the belt underneath. It isn't going to be nice and tidy.

**Dale Seago** · 1st April 13, 12:23 PM

Colin, welcome to Xmarks! You might finf this article by Matt Newsome worth reading if you haven't seen it:

http://www.albanach.org/articles.htm...rawstring.html

**Colin maclennan** · 2nd April 13, 03:33 AM

Hi dale I’ve been to albanach already I might add what a great place to check out, full of very useful information. Which I have found to be a great place to start your research ,a bit more educated than guessed I think thanks god as there’s far too much guess work going on than actual study well done to Mr. Newson
Mr. Usonian Perhaps this could be the way I shall go although it’s not 100% accurate it does seem to give the look of which I desire after all there is no correct way to wear a plaid just wrapped yourself up in it till you feel all cozy and comfy a big thanks for your help too every 1 if anybody has any pictures of work they have done on this subject it would be most appreciated.

**figheadair** · 2nd April 13, 05:05 AM

You might find this of help too - A Highland Revival Drawstring Plaid.

**Pleater** · 2nd April 13, 02:23 PM

I did a dressing gown with a tasselled cord on the outside, so it holds itself together - but to make one with the cord on the inside would just mean that you needed to have a belt to hold the aprons in place.

The cord is made into a looped chain so it will be 1/3rd the length it is when unchained.

Sew loops onto the fabric at the points you wish to fix. Either tape or small loops made from the fabric so they are fairly invisible if the fabric is used as a blanket or wrap.

Take a length of cord and tie it to the loops. I tied the first two loops together as I made a deep under apron pleat, then tied it to the other loops so it laid flat. The first length of cord is pulled beneath the double loop at the apron side (This might be the wrong way round for some as I am looping with my left hand) it forms a loop and the second length of cord is pulled through it, to form a loop - and so on to the last two loops which are tied together to secure the loose end of the cord.

To put it on cord outside, hold the cord and get the fabric folded over the top of the cord, smooth the pleats. Pass the correct end of the cord around your back from left hand to right so the pleats aren't ruffled. Hold both ends of the cord in one hand and shuffle the aprons so you can tie the cord, shuffle everything into place and tighten the cord if necessary.

If the cord is to go on the inside fold it so the fabric is dangling from the cord, tie the cord around your waist. Arrange the fabric, then smooth the pleats at the waist and belt them in place, suck in the gut, fold in under apron pleats and arrange aprons as required, tighten belt if necessary.

I cut the top of the fabric so as to make sleeves, so my garment is not exactly traditional, sort of a cross between a kimono and a great kilt, but it is cosy.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**TheOfficialBren** · 2nd April 13, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Pleater

I did a dressing gown with a tasselled cord on the outside, so it holds itself together - but to make one with the cord on the inside would just mean that you needed to have a belt to hold the aprons in place.

The cord is made into a looped chain so it will be 1/3rd the length it is when unchained.

Sew loops onto the fabric at the points you wish to fix. Either tape or small loops made from the fabric so they are fairly invisible if the fabric is used as a blanket or wrap.

Take a length of cord and tie it to the loops. I tied the first two loops together as I made a deep under apron pleat, then tied it to the other loops so it laid flat. The first length of cord is pulled beneath the double loop at the apron side (This might be the wrong way round for some as I am looping with my left hand) it forms a loop and the second length of cord is pulled through it, to form a loop - and so on to the last two loops which are tied together to secure the loose end of the cord.

To put it on cord outside, hold the cord and get the fabric folded over the top of the cord, smooth the pleats. Pass the correct end of the cord around your back from left hand to right so the pleats aren't ruffled. Hold both ends of the cord in one hand and shuffle the aprons so you can tie the cord, shuffle everything into place and tighten the cord if necessary.

If the cord is to go on the inside fold it so the fabric is dangling from the cord, tie the cord around your waist. Arrange the fabric, then smooth the pleats at the waist and belt them in place, suck in the gut, fold in under apron pleats and arrange aprons as required, tighten belt if necessary.

I cut the top of the fabric so as to make sleeves, so my garment is not exactly traditional, sort of a cross between a kimono and a great kilt, but it is cosy.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

And thus was born the traditional "Snuggy"-Mor.

**RogerWS76** · 2nd April 13, 04:41 PM

There you go Pleater, now you may add

"Mother of the Snuggy-Mor"

to your avatar!

**Sir Didymous** · 16th May 13, 11:48 PM

As I sit here in one of my belted plaids, I felt that I should chime in. Though April was only the one year mark of wearing kilts and I am sure there are many more out there more learned on the subject. I have simply measured out the length of my aprons on either end and marked them with pins. I then pleated every thing in between. I measured up from the bottom to get the skirt length and marked that also. Using a darning needle I ran a cord about the thickness of a shoelace through the pleats. Using a cord of a matching (or as close as you can get) color to the background of the tartan helps to keep it hidden, as does the belt which should be around the area that the cord is through. A couple of little wooden beads keeps the cord from sliping back through. Two notes: Make sure that the cord is long enough to allow the plaid to lay flat when not being worn so that you can still use it as a blanket and such. Also remember to keep the ends on the inside so that they do not show while being worn. That's how I did my two.