Pleat Question?

[HockeyBoyDavis]

Sorry I realize this may have been asked before, but I have been unable to find it in my search. Since My US Army kilt was my first purchase I didnt know what it meant to have the pleats sewn down. Know that I know I wish I would have ordered it that way! So having said that what is the easiest or best way to get them sewn down. ( i know nothing about sewing ) Also how far down is it best to sew them. Thanks in advance for any and all help.

[The Wizard of BC]

How far to sew down the pleats is the easy part.
If you wear the kilt at your natural waist or just under the ribs the Fell, or part of the kilt that is tapered and sewn down is approx. 1/3 the total length of the kilt.

Another way to think of this is the sew down from the waistband to the crest of your hips and butt.

How to sew the pleats down will all depend of the type of kilt you have and who made it.

I can probably assume from you original post that you have a SportKilt. Some have had success sewing down the Fell on this type of kilt and some have not.

[HockeyBoyDavis]

What does "down the Fell" mean? Sorry im quite a novice still

[The Wizard of BC]

Sorry, I put the comma in the wrong place.

The Fell is the part of the kilt in the back from the waistband down to the crest of the butt. It is the part of the kilt where the pleats are sewn down and tapered.

Here is a photo of the famous Hamish doing his equally famous pleat shot.



Notice the area above the hips and below the waist where the pleats are sewn down and smooth. This is the Fell area.

[HockeyBoyDavis]

Ok I got it now. So do you sew the pleat down, by sewing along the crease in the pleat?

[The Wizard of BC]

Are you going to sew by hand or my machine?

[sydnie7]

A forum search using the terms "sportkilt fell" turns up several related threads, including:

Sewing question

Some assembly allowed. . . Sportkilt

Question about sewn down pleats

Hope these provide some helpful information!

[Riverkilt]

If you have a SportKilt that was just gathered in the back - no real pleats - there's no way to sew the gather's into pleats....I tried...in addition to not being possible so it looked right, I bled a lot from needle sticks.

Suggest you look at USA Kilts...I have a sharp looking U.S. Army tartan in PV semi-trad.



When shopping for kilts and accessories keep in mind you can have any two of price, quality, or service.

[HockeyBoyDavis]

Awesome! Thanks for all the help everyone lots of good info in those additional threads!