Pressing Kilt (Not resetting pleats)

[cajuncelt]

I need to press my pleats, but not reset them. They still have a sharp edge and I don't want to ruin them. They are just not lying flat anymore. I read the "sticky", but it seems to cover resetting th pleats. Advise?

[turpin]

In order to ensure your pleats stay just right, it is adviseable to baste them even when not re-setting them. that way you can move the kilt around if need be without worry about accidentally pressing a splay into the pleats.

Also, use a damp pressing cloth over the kilt - don't apply the iron directly to the wool or it might impart a shine to the wool.

here is a link to a good set of care instructions.

[PiobBear]

Lay out the pleats, spray with water, cover with a pressing cloth, and place the iron (on steam) on the kilt, pressing down for a few seconds...pick it up, and put it down; do not drag it across the pleats. Place a brick covered with tinfoil where the iron just was, to lock in the steam.

[turpin]

So do you keep a stack of foil-covered bricks around? This is a new slant on ironing a kilt for these boards.

[GlassMan]

So do you keep a stack of foil-covered bricks around? This is a new slant on ironing a kilt for these boards.

You mean you don't keep stacks of foiled covered bricks stashed around your house? How else do you plan to defend yourself when the alien invasion comes!

[Kilted Christian]

Following along here, do you also press the inside pleated side as well just like you would press trousers on both sides?

[The Wizard of BC]

Please be very careful if you intend to touch up your pleats.

Heat combined with steam will take the crisp edge right off your pleats.

I have found that when a kilt gets that stage curtain ripple in the back it is just better and easier to baste and press the kilt instead of trying to do what at first seems like a quick fix.

If you have a small travel steamer you can do a quick touch up by hanging the kilt so that the pleats and apron are supported and straight then lightly passing the steamer over the pleats as you gently pull down on the hem.

This should only be done to remove travel wrinkles because you can take the crisp edge off your pleats by mistake very quickly.

[JRB]

I have found that when a kilt gets that stage curtain ripple in the back it is just better and easier to baste and press the kilt instead of trying to do what at first seems like a quick fix.

By press do you mean apply weight on top of the pleats? I ask this because I was wondering if it might be possible to take the "stage curtain rippling" out of my kilt by basting it and putting it under the mattress in my spare room for several days.

[The Wizard of BC]

NO! NO! NO!!!!!!!

Your kilt has two different shapes to it. One is a cylinder formed by the pleats below the Fell and the other is a cone formed by the tapering above the Fell.

When pressing pleats you MUST lift the tapered area to allow the pleats to remain parallel and straight. Or allow the tapered area to fall over the edge of your ironing board. Same result.

If you place the entire kilt under your mattress the result will be a disaster.

Do yourself a favor and simply baste the pleats (no more than 1/2 an hours work) and press the kilt.



You know, it just occurred to me that you have not mentioned who made your kilt and what fabric it is.

Would you please tell us what style kilt you have, Traditional, Casual, or Contemporary. And also tell us the composition and weight of the fabric.

I have been assuming that you have a Traditional Tank.

[turpin]

You mean you don't keep stacks of foiled covered bricks stashed around your house? How else do you plan to defend yourself when the alien invasion comes!

They'll never find me - my glengarry is foil-lined so they can't read my thoughts.