What would you do?

[Domehead]

Would the Rabble attempt to re-pleat this kilt?
Robertson Red
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
Locharron Strome
M.A.C. Newsome
2005
Worn Regularly w/ travel
Dry-cleaned once by reputable cleaner (has experience w/ kilts: 2012)
Infrequently steam-ironed (low-heat, covered with pillow case, no direct contact, normally just the fell)
Fit is virtually perfect
Third pleat from the right is the "hidden seam" pleat.

My opinion is the frequent wearing combined with general movement, sweeping to sit, jostling in the chair, rising, walking, driving over the past seven years has massaged some of the pleats/threads out of position. However, if this is normal to kilt wearing, I won't obsess.
Re: the Dry-Cleaner...My other Newsome (Dalgliesh 15oz) was cleaned the same afternoon and all the pleats are as crisp and sharp as the day it arrived. That kilt is a 2010 but, to this point, has been worn far less.

I've read the threads, especially Pleater's offerings, on re-pleating. However, before I pursued anything, I want to know what our more experienced members would do - if anything.

Thanks

[Tobus]

If I'm understanding you correctly, you're not talking about re-pleating per se, just re-pressing the pleats. Correct?

I guess the answer really depends on whether it bothers you. It apparently does, so go for it. I've done it on a box-pleated kilt too, and it's really not that big of a deal. A box-pleated kilt is probably the easiest to re-press.

[Domehead]

If I'm understanding you correctly, you're not talking about re-pleating per se, just re-pressing the pleats. Correct?

I guess the answer really depends on whether it bothers you. It apparently does, so go for it. I've done it on a box-pleated kilt too, and it's really not that big of a deal. A box-pleated kilt is probably the easiest to re-press.

Tobus, brilliant! yours is one of the opinions that I hold in esteem.

Yes, you are correct. I mean re-pressing.

I'm not sure if it bother's me. When the kilt is worn and drapes below the fell, it actually looks (IMHO) as nice as the morning it arrived from Mr. Newsome.
It's when I remove the kilt and tri-fold it to air-out or hang-to-store that I notice the "imperfections". However, I've read before (specifically CDNSushi) talk about the natural character of a kilt over time. The pleats themselves, as all of M.A.C. Newsome's kilts, are stitched virtually perfectly.

This is why I'm looking to find out what another more experienced wearer, such as yourself, would do. Would this bother you? If no, personally, I would respond to that.

[Tobus]

Tobus, brilliant! yours is one of the opinions that I hold in esteem.

Yes, you are correct. I mean re-pressing.

I'm not sure if it bother's me. When the kilt is worn and drapes below the fell, it actually looks (IMHO) as nice as the morning it arrived from Mr. Newsome.
It's when I remove the kilt and tri-fold it to air-out or hang-to-store that I notice the "imperfections". However, I've read before (specifically CDNSushi) talk about the natural character of a kilt over time. The pleats themselves, as all of M.A.C. Newsome's kilts, are stitched virtually perfectly.

Yep, it does look like the kilt is well-made, as Matt's work always is. And I understand what you're saying about how it hangs on a rack as compared to how it hangs on your body. The tapering in the fell will always make it hang funny on a rack or hanger. As long as it hangs correctly when you're wearing it, that's all that matters.

This is why I'm looking to find out what another more experienced wearer, such as yourself, would do. Would this bother you? If no, personally, I would respond to that.

Well, yes, to be honest, it would bother me. Specifically, what would bother me is that the creases of the pleats have managed to work their way off-center in some areas. But then, I'm a bit obsessive sometimes when it comes to silly things like that. I didn't notice it until a cute female stranger at a festival called me "perfect pleat man" in passing. Everybody else was running around with their pleats all in a state of dishabille, and apparently I was the only one being careful with my pleats.

At any rate, box pleats do tend to require more attention in my experience, because they don't have the deep overlapping action that other pleat styles have which help keep them organised. Each individual box pleat is kind of out there by itself, and thus prone to issues over time. Fortunately, the fact that each pleat stands alone (with no deep overlap) makes it easier to press without affecting all the others. Of course, you need to make sure they all lay correctly together, and that re-pressing one pleat doesn't pull another one out of whack. But since box pleats like yours are so wide and easily aligned, it's fairly simple to do. When I re-pressed my box pleat, it was for less reason than you have on yours. So yeah, I would do it. After you do it once, you'll be past the mental hurdle, which will prepare you for doing it again at some point (which I think box-pleated kilts need on a fairly regular basis to keep their distinct look).

[Domehead]

Tobus,
Thanks very much for your insights. Particullarly re: box-pleats relative to the overlap. I'd never considered that as a consequence. I'm off to the "Care & Maintenance" threads to find Barb T. / Pleater's information on this stuff and begin hurdling the mental...so-to-speak.

Thanks again

[sailortats]

to my way of thinking you are worrying about nothing. The pleats look fine to me. I notice on all my kilts that they look similar to yours when hanging on the hanger, when wearing them they are fine.
Also note the top of your kilt on the hanger, the top is not absolutely perfectly horizontal. There is a slight dip in the center. Even this slight dip is going to cause the pleats to react differently. I say stop worrying and enjoy a beautiful kilt.

[rondo]

I'm with Sailortats on this. No kilt is going to be absolutely perfect...the minor imperfections give each garment a unique personality. Perhaps if the pleats were grossly off 'kilter' then yes...but this kilt looks good to me especially given that this seems to have been your go-to kilt for 7 years.
Rondo

[Domehead]

to my way of thinking you are worrying about nothing. The pleats look fine to me. I notice on all my kilts that they look similar to yours when hanging on the hanger, when wearing them they are fine.
Also note the top of your kilt on the hanger, the top is not absolutely perfectly horizontal. There is a slight dip in the center. Even this slight dip is going to cause the pleats to react differently. I say stop worrying and enjoy a beautiful kilt.

Well, this is interesting. Sailortats would be another opinion to which I give a second read.

I understand what you are saying. However, Tobus makes some keen points re: the construction of a box pleated kilt v. say, an 8 yd tank, et al. Perhaps the box-pleat itself requires some attention beyond the norm.

As well, there are some difinite verticle "challenges" with the pleats specific to my kilt which may be easily returned to "new".

What I will do is post an image of myself in the kilt with normal accoutrements (belt, sporran strap, shirt) and allow the rabble to comment. Perhaps Jock Scot, David Thorpe, McClef, OC Richard, Creagdhubh, Figheadair, etc. or Matthew himself would chime in?

Also, thanks Rondo, for seconding Sailortats. Your input is most appreciated. All the varied opinions help shape my own.

[Paul Henry]

I think you are worrying a little too much, but having said that, if it concerns you it's not a difficult thing to re=measure the pleats , baste and then press, but it will take some time. Almost every kilt will change shape a little over the years, indeed each of our bodies do as well, so any fitting that was perfect at teh time of buying, might not be 10 years down the line.

[Jock Scot]

I know absolutely nothing about civilian boxpleated kilts------I have never even knowingly seen one for real and I have to confess from the pictures that I have seen, it is not a style that I like particularly. However, your kilt pleats look fine to me and if it were me, I would not fuss about it.