Keeping pleats in place

[Shanntarra]

My rogue is being fussy about his kilt. Every time he wears his Cotton/Poly X-kilt he wrinkles his pleats. He hands it to me to press. Thankfully because I'm always sewing; therefore, I have the ironing board out but he wants to keep them sharp all the time. BTW, I did the sharp stitching on the outside and inside pleats when I made it. I told him it isn't going to happen unless you have the special chemicals that Dockers themselves has. He wants to starch his kilt, which I told him was a VERY bad idea.

Any suggestions on how I can keep the wrinkles out of his kilt? Or do I just get to make him a new one with a different fabric?

[Pleater]

I have used spray starch on some of my cotton kilts with good effect - but some materials are always going to wrinkle if they are sat on.

If he is going to be so persnickerty then I suspect that wool or wool blend fabrics are the way to go - unless you make him sit on a stool and flip the pleats so they hang down the back rather than be rumpled.

Anne the Pleater

[Monkey@Arms]

Has he learned to "sweep his pleats" when sitting? (See below) It can make a big difference.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/v...x.html?t=20913

Best regards,

Jake

[JolyStNicholas]

My wife solved that problem long ago. I take care of me own KILTS!

[ccga3359]

People, people, keeping pleats in place has been a problem that goes far beyond the time that pleats were invented. Kit makers the world over have addressed this problem with a specially designed stitch called a pleat basting stitch. So proud of this stitch they are that they even use a contrasting thread for it to show. The problem is that kilt purchasers inadvertantly remove this stitching causing the pleats to go all willy-nilly. And what do they expect? Warning: Removing this stitching voids pleat warrantees. Am I the only smart one here on Xmarks and leaves those stitches in?

[Shanntarra]

No I don't think he "sweeps" his pleats. He is very mindful of the front. This is the same guy who won't listen to me when I say "Avoid walking over air vents". "Be careful when you turn around from your desk. mom's tell their daughter's to keep their knee's together for more than 1 reason."

I think he is just going to have to learn how to wear a kilt properly, and know what happens when you don't.

[attworth]

You should show him that link posted above. It's an "instructional video" on how to sit properly.

The idea is to use your hand to sweep the pleats towards the back of your legs while you sit, preventing them from getting crinkled up underneath. If done properly, there's plenty of time to reach forward and pull/push the apron down. If the sporran is worn correctly, it also helps keep prying eyes from seeing that which shouldn't be mentioned....

I've noticed that box pleats are slightly harder to sweep properly while sitting.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I've noticed that box pleats are slightly harder to sweep properly while sitting.

In my experience the opposite is true, at least in regards to a four yard box pleated kilt. I find these much easier to sit in and keep the kilt wrinkle-free than a typical 8 yard knife pleated kilt. Others who own both kinds of kilt have shared the same observation with me.

As to the original question of how to keep your kilt wrinkle free, I think wrinkles are just something you are going to have to live with in a cotton or poly-cotton kilt. Wool doesn't wrinkle nearly as much. And heavy weight wool wrinkles far less than lighter weight wool.

If he wants a neat, sharply pressed appearance in his kilt, I'd recommend a good quality heavy weight worsted wool. It can't be beat.

[attworth]

In my experience the opposite is true, at least in regards to a four yard box pleated kilt. I find these much easier to sit in and keep the kilt wrinkle-free than a typical 8 yard knife pleated kilt.

One of these days when I can afford one of your fine box-pleated kilts, I'd be happy to test that theory.

I was referring to the cotton/poly blended variety - home-made or otherwise.

I do agree with you on the wool statements though. Such a wonderful fabric, it's no wonder kilts have been made from wool for a long time. Furthermore, my favorite sl@cks to wear and iron are wool or wool blends.

[Ryan Ross]

In my experience the opposite is true, at least in regards to a four yard box pleated kilt. I find these much easier to sit in and keep the kilt wrinkle-free than a typical 8 yard knife pleated kilt. Others who own both kinds of kilt have shared the same observation with me.

As to the original question of how to keep your kilt wrinkle free, I think wrinkles are just something you are going to have to live with in a cotton or poly-cotton kilt. Wool doesn't wrinkle nearly as much. And heavy weight wool wrinkles far less than lighter weight wool.

If he wants a neat, sharply pressed appearance in his kilt, I'd recommend a good quality heavy weight worsted wool. It can't be beat.

I always found that the box pleated variety wrinkles less than the knife pleated, as well, regardless of yardage(with a four yard knife pleated kilt wrinkling faster and easier than any piece of clothing I've ever owned, and a four yard box pleated kilt wrinkling the least). I think, though, that in the end, it comes down to the fabric(with heavy weight worsted wool or tweed being the the least wrinkle prone), but mostly, to the technique of the wearer. If you take the time to learn to sit down well, it'll make all the difference. You can arange your pleats properly when you sit(which shouldn't take much longer than sitting down in a pair of pants, once you get some practice), and you can get up from a three hour long car ride and still be free of those nasty wrinkles.

Wear the kilt early and often, take every opportunity to sit down in it, and get a heavy weight worsted kilt as soon as logistics allow.