A 60 year old kilt re-build

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 10th June 12, 02:36 PM

Richard,

I've seen kilts from the Queen Victoria Boy's School in Scotland (also in the Hunting Stewart tartan) pleated the same way, alternate yellow and red lines. I believe that is how this tartan is always pleated for the regiments.

**Pleater** · 10th June 12, 02:46 PM

Somewhere in my heap of tartan fabric, torn strips and part done kilts I have a project which is going to be pleated to alternate stripes.

The options in the pleating were various, but by using alternate colour stripes there were a good number of pleats of a decent depth - it just worked well that way.

The more kilts I make for myself the more I feel that there is a definite 'best way' to pleat most pieces of tartan, or any cloth for that matter, and that when it is found everything falls into place neatly so the maker puts not exactly the least effort into the making of it, but is not struggling to get everything to be just so.

Although I doubt that many of my kilts will still be around in 60 years the webbing I use as a foundation at the waist of the heavier ones will probably eventually - be sitting in a landfill somewhere for a very long time - it can support 250 lb hanging from a loop of it.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**OC Richard** · 12th June 12, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

...alternate yellow and red lines. I believe that is how this tartan is always pleated for the regiments.

Which regiments are you referring to?

**okiwen** · 27th June 12, 03:06 PM

So, how did this story end and the pics to show it?

**Mipi** · 12th July 12, 10:49 PM

Yes, I believe we all hardly wait to see how this 60 years old kilt looks after repair.

**lukeyrobertson** · 13th July 12, 05:09 PM

Wow, what a fine story and pictures! Such an art is this kilt making and restoring. Hat's off to you, Steve and to all who share passion for this artisanry.

**Friday** · 13th July 12, 05:57 PM

Steve
I hope you add a label, next to the original, giving your name and the date repaired. I think this will add to the history of the kilt.

**Murray** · 15th July 12, 12:14 PM

Some how I missed this thread. Kudos to the Wizard. I would love to see before and after photos.

**georgeetta** · 17th July 12, 04:34 PM

this may be right or not,

if the kilt is this sold ..ask somebody if an oil should be added ..lanolin to help take out some brittleness and save on tears or abrasion damage .

th
d

**Steve Ashton** · 17th July 12, 06:50 PM

If cleaned properly the lanolin will not be leeched out of the wool. In the case of these kilts I can see no degradation of the fibers due to oils being washed out.

Washing a wool kilt with cold water and a mild soap is perfectly acceptable. Personally I use baby shampoo. Even the leather straps come out looking good.

Even dry cleaning by today's methods will not harm wool.