Symmetry

[David Thorpe]

I have an idea for making a symmetrically pleated kilt, and would like to know what problems the build might generate.

I have seen several interpretations of the term "Kingussie" and I don't know if this qualifies, but here goes...

My idea is to use a single box pleat in the center of the back and knife pleat both sides so that all of the pleats open toward the center back. I am also considering reversing the twill on the right side so that the two sides are a mirror image of each other.

There would be no reverse pleat at the under apron edge, as the adjacent pleats would already be "reversed".

Has anyone done this?

[artificer]

That would be a Kindgussie pleated kilt - Although I'd not heard of anyone reversing the twill.

ith:

[M. A. C. Newsome]

It sounds like what you are describing is the same as a Kingussie pleated kilt, only with the knfe pleats facing in, towards the center box pleat, rather than out, as it was done historically.

No reason why that would not work - that's actually how Utilikilts are pleated.

I suppose you could reverse the twill on one side of the kilt, by joining your two pieces of tartan right-to-wrong side. But it wouldn't actually be symmetrical, like you think. The center pleat will be your box pleat, and you won't want a seam running down the middle of the outside of the pleat. You'll want the seam hidden inside a pleat, which means it will actually be a bit off-center.

[David Thorpe]

...The center pleat will be your box pleat, and you won't want a seam running down the middle of the outside of the pleat. You'll want the seam hidden inside a pleat, which means it will actually be a bit off-center.

Thanks for the input, Matt. The way I envision it is that the center seam would be hidden in the middle of the two knife pleats opening toward each other at the center back, forming a single de facto box pleat. If the seam was on the surface, there would be either two side-by-side box pleats or the knife pleats would all open toward the outside.

I'll post pics as this thing develops. I'll likely try it on some inexpensive PV the first time.

[Ryan Ross]

You really should take Matt's advice about the seam, as a seam will show up as the knife pleats on either side of the center open up, unless you offset it a good bit to the side. Attention to detail is mucho important, if you want to turn out an excelent kilt.

[David Thorpe]

...a seam will show up as the knife pleats on either side of the center open up, unless you offset it a good bit to the side.

Yes, I obviously misunderstood what he said. Thanks for the clarification.

Check out the RevK addendum to the XKilt manual. If this is what you're thinking, the addendum has some pleating tips and diagram.

Thanks, Sydnie. Neither the internal (alleged) search function nor Google search turned up the addendum. Would you happen to have a link handy?

[sydnie7]

Without reading too closely (it's early, here, for me) it seems you are going toward the reverse Kingussie. Check out the RevK addendum to the XKilt manual. If this is what you're thinking, the addendum has some pleating tips and diagram.

[Paul Henry]

Is this what you are thinking of?, or something like it perhaps?
I used a very narrow central box pleat which could have gone wrong because it was narrow, but it's been my most used kilt over the last few months, and the box holds remarkably well.There are 12 narrow knife pleats each side of the box, so 25 in total

[Kiltboy]

Paul, that is so cool.

[David Thorpe]

Is this what you are thinking of?, or something like it perhaps?

Close, but with the center pleat exactly opposite yours, the "box" being formed by the two knife pleats directly adjacent to the back center. Thanks for the photo and info. Very helpful.