Plethora of Pleat Options - What do you think looks best?

**kiltedrennie** · 28th April 13, 11:40 AM

My copy of The Art of Kilt Making arrived yesterday <manly squee!> I was up late last night reading the first for chapters and took some photographs of possible pleating styles for my cheep-plain-weave-asymmetric-not-a-tartan wool fabric. I just cannot bring myself to attempt my first kilt project with $50/yd tartan. This was only $6/yd.

I don't think it's possible to pleat to the sett with this stuff. At least I wasn't able to figure it out.

Sorry about the quality of the fold and pics - it was midnight when I took them.

I'm pretty sure which I like best, but I'd like to get other opinions.

Pleat #1

Pleat #2

Pleat #3

Pleat #4

**artificer** · 28th April 13, 11:48 AM

#3 - pleated to the light blue stripe is my favorite with #1 (to the small black stripes) coming in a close second.

Can't wait to see WIPs!

ith:

**O'Searcaigh** · 28th April 13, 11:57 AM

Disregarding the lighting differences, I think I like the pattern in #1 best. I think the purple is a nicer effect as the "stripe" than the blue/green in #3 and it appears the pleats are a bit narrower than #4 (Barb's rule of pleats of not less than 1/2 inch nor more than 1 inch really works!). Number 4 also stresses the horizontal rather than vertical pattern. I like verticality in the pleat effect (unless pleated to the sett). Anyway -- there's my opinion, not worth the paper this is written on

You are wise to practice on "other" (not $50.00/yd wool). I have made several heavy cotton kilts, (one denim and two "tartan' (symmetrical plaid) -- from upholstery material) and the last one I made using Barb's book turned out really well -- mostly due to her instructions rather than any inherent abilities of mine. Have fun.

**Aspiringloser** · 28th April 13, 01:24 PM

I like the effect of #3.

**California Highlander** · 28th April 13, 01:33 PM

I like #1. It shows off the purple, but without the bright blue dominating.

**Elizabeth** · 28th April 13, 02:32 PM

The two girls here like the same ones in the same order, #3 and then #1.

**sydnie7** · 28th April 13, 05:22 PM

No reason that you couldn't pleat to the sett.

In #1, you may not have enough room to taper without losing one of the fine black stripes (don't know how much taper you plan). #3 doesn't look as if it would present that issue for a "typical" taper.

**rmccool** · 28th April 13, 06:22 PM

I prefer #1, unless you'd lose one of the stripes in the taper (as sydnie7 pointed out), in which case #3 would be my preference.

**kiltedrennie** · 28th April 13, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by sydnie7

No reason that you couldn't pleat to the sett.

In #1, you may not have enough room to taper without losing one of the fine black stripes (don't know how much taper you plan). #3 doesn't look as if it would present that issue for a "typical" taper.

I gave it a go pleated to the sett. It's going to be tougher to do, but I like it. The width is about 3/4" and the depth is about 2 1/4".

The taper isn't going to be much - I'm pretty much built like a fire plug. :-)

Thanks everyone for taking the time to look and give an opinion. If I can swing it, I think I'll try pleating to the sett. I love all the colors so much I don't want any one to dominate over the others. If it doesn't work out, I can always try another way. It's double wide so I'll probably have enough for two attempts.

**Robert Soderman** · 28th April 13, 07:29 PM

I have a the Western Isletartan which is similar in color to yours. Its pleated so that the white stripe shows up in every other pleat. Something like the second photo with the white line missing from half the peats. Just an idea you may want to try.