New wool kilt

**Knoxy10** · 23rd November 18, 03:57 PM

Hi everyone! I just got a new 8 yard wool kilt and I have this white string that holds the pleats down. Do I take it off or keep it on?

Knoxy10

**Tobus** · 23rd November 18, 04:13 PM

Those are basting stitches. Cut them out of the pleats carefully.

edited to add:

Those are used to align the pleats for pressing with an iron during the final stages of construction, and they keep the pleats tidy during shipping. But they are meant to be removed by the buyer before wearing. I wish that all kiltmakers would put a card in the package to explain this. Seeing people wearing their kilts with those stitches in place is embarrassing, and surely uncomfortable for the wearer. They can actually damage the fabric if you try to wear the kilt and move around with them in place.

**Knoxy10** · 23rd November 18, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Those are basting stitches. Cut them out of the pleats carefully.

edited to add:

Those are used to align the pleats for pressing with an iron during the final stages of construction, and they keep the pleats tidy during shipping. But they are meant to be removed by the buyer before wearing. I wish that all kiltmakers would put a card in the package to explain this. Seeing people wearing their kilts with those stitches in place is embarrassing, and surely uncomfortable for the wearer. They can actually damage the fabric if you try to wear the kilt and move around with them in place.

Thanks so much! I did try it on for a few minutes but didn’t try to sit in it. I will make sure to remove those stitches! Thanks so much for those tips! Hope you had a happy thanksgiving!

**Riverkilt** · 23rd November 18, 08:32 PM

Take them out - lest you wind up looking like this gent at a highland games.

**Knoxy10** · 23rd November 18, 09:00 PM

That’s hilarious!!!

**Tarheel** · 24th November 18, 05:29 AM

If the question wasn't asked and answered, I may have been that guy in the photo a few years ago.

**Riverkilt** · 24th November 18, 08:22 AM

Which has always baffled me....methinks a flat backside would be easier to sit upon and a pleated front side would be more decorative. And no worry about wrinkling pleats when seated....

**Father Bill** · 24th November 18, 08:43 AM

I really respect a guy who honestly doesn't know and honestly asks for help.

You did the right thing in the right place - you'll get a lot of good help here... and a wee bit of teasing and critique from time to time, but you've come to the right place to be part of a knowledgeable online kilted community.

**Garth** · 24th November 18, 11:14 PM

I second you Padre.

**Tobinn** · 25th November 18, 07:52 AM

And I third you. This is certainly the place for honest questions and honest answers. I probably would have kept the basting in if I hadn't done a lot of research here and watched the videos put out by Mr. Ashton and the good folks at USAK.

And, Riverkilt, you may be on to something there with pleats up front - I mean, they are often the best part of the kilt. Why should everyone else get to enjoy them? Put'em up front and you can admire the lines in every mirror and storefront!

Time to start a new tradition?