A Little Bit of Advice Requested

[Geoff Withnell]

I have a dry cleaner I use, and they have done fine on knife pleats and single box pleats. When I got my double box pleat back, it was a mess. I took it back with a picture of how it was supposed to look which I gave them. They fixed it.

[MacMillans son]

If it were me, I would send it back to Lady Chrystel to be done properly, and buy a cheaper PV kilt for the kind of activities you described.

[Alan H]

If it were me, I would send it back to Lady Chrystel to be done properly, and buy a cheaper PV kilt for the kind of activities you described.

Bold and underline added by me.

[Dixiecat]

I expect one could substitute wooden clothespins for paper clips- with the caveat that you would have to press around them and slide them into place after having pressed the spot next... All of this sounds laborious, but much less so than basting.

Jordan, you have my sympathies- that feeling that something STILL isn't right, even when others no longer see the flaw- it's a terrible nagging feeling. But I do think you should give it a go with some kind of clips, metal, wood or otherwise. Or maybe try both methods- basting and clipping- on different pleats and see which gives better results and requires less effort.

In the end, the knowledge that you gave it a try is probably as comforting as anything else. Do let us know.

I love that idea about clothespins! Those would be so easy to move around. And no fear of getting any stains on the kilt. I work alot with dance tartans that have great swathes of white that any speck of unseen rust would instantly leave a permanent stain. Of course I don't use paperclips at all being of the pin/baste/press bend of mind, but clothespins would give a sweet alternative to pinning before basting. Thanks!

[Spartan Tartan]

If it were me, I would send it back to Lady Chrystel to be done properly, and buy a cheaper PV kilt for the kind of activities you described.

Another ***. I am sorry to hear of your experience.

[Mickey]

Chas, the paperclip method is genius! As always, no matter where you are, if you want to look sharp, ask a military dude. We know the shortcuts that actually work.

Which begs a question.... here, for our trouser creases, we used to use beeswax. Do you, or anybody else, have an opinion on how this might work on kilt creases? Personally, I don't think it would work, at least outside an inspection that didn't involve a car ride. But for trousers, it was tops.

[Spartan Tartan]

Chas, the paperclip method is genius! As always, no matter where you are, if you want to look sharp, ask a military dude. We know the shortcuts that actually work.

Which begs a question.... here, for our trouser creases, we used to use beeswax. Do you, or anybody else, have an opinion on how this might work on kilt creases? Personally, I don't think it would work, at least outside an inspection that didn't involve a car ride. But for trousers, it was tops.

Bees wax? No kidding... I would have to see that in action. I have to ask the Gunny about this come morning. I truly hope he is familiar enough to describe this to me.

[Mickey]

Bees wax? No kidding... I would have to see that in action. I have to ask the Gunny about this come morning. I truly hope he is familiar enough to describe this to me.

Yes sir. Turn them inside out, run a beeswax candle down the crease, then right side out and press. It takes a bit of a touch, a lot like spit shining, but it works better than starch. A very flexible, yet very sharp crease.

[Gingerpose]

Jordan, I think it might be worth your while phoning the local kilt rental shops and asking what they do with kilts returned in poor condition. I think they will use professional cleaners, or they may do it in-house, either way they will no doubt have dealt with kilts which have been sadly been on the receiving end of treatment like yours was.

[English Bloke]

... Yes sir. Turn them inside out, run a beeswax candle down the crease, then right side out and press. ....

We used to use the same method but with Pritt Stick instead of beeswax. Worked a treat for getting a lasting crease down the sleeve of you Jersey Heavy Wool. Not sure about using it on kilts though.

Jordan, I think it might be worth your while phoning the local kilt rental shops and asking what they do with kilts returned in poor condition. I think they will use professional cleaners, or they may do it in-house, either way they will no doubt have dealt with kilts which have sadly been on the receiving end of treatment like yours was.

Anyroad... back on track.
I'd try Gingerpose's plan Jordan. Although you might need to explain exactly what you want. Can't imagine wide boxpleats are that common where you are.