How to tell a professional how to press a kilt

**Spartan Tartan** · 20th June 13, 06:29 PM

That is my nightmare! I am so sorry to hear about that... I am with Bill or Kyle. I'd probably go back to Matt, but if that wasn't an option to me then I would definitely contact the local pipe band and see who does their kilts.

**flyrod6057** · 20th June 13, 08:42 PM

Basting the pleats is the easiest thing imaginable. All you do is make sure the edges are parallel and stitch them down. Takes a few minutes, but the result is 100% worth it. In fact, If you baste your own kilt, then pressing it is just as easy. All you do is iron it through a wet piece of fabric (I use a bit of linen) and let the steam do the work. Cake.

If you are put off by the idea of doing your own touch-up, then by all means: send it to Matt. I'm sure he'd appreciate the extra revenue...

**Riverkilt** · 20th June 13, 09:47 PM

I prefer steamers. There's no way to wrestle the kilt on an ironing board. I remember Ham lays his out on the floor before pressing it.

**TheOfficialBren** · 20th June 13, 10:00 PM

With my P/V kilt I use an ironing board and medium heat, plenty of steam, and a cloth. Not the easiest task but mine has knife pleats, so there's that.

Speaking of Hamish, how is he? We haven't seen him around lately (sorry for the thread-jack).

**MacGumerait** · 20th June 13, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

I'd contact Matt to see if you can send the kilt back to him, so he can take care of the pleats. That's what I would do.

I whole heartedly agree with Kyle , I would contact Matt , you could be assured that his results would be 100 % correct .

Contacting a pipe band in the vicinity is also a good idea , however , one point to think about if you take that route .

Most pipe bands have knife pleated kilts and whoever they use for cleaning and pressing may only be familiar with a knife pleated kilt . If you have a box pleated kilt that is already messed up , they may not fully understand how to correct it and you may end up with the same problem .

Just food for thought . I wish you the best and hope you find a successful solution . I can certainly understand and relate.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 21st June 13, 04:16 AM

What can happen with dry cleaners is they lay the kilt out on their pressing table and press the pleats as they lay, which tends to be flared out a little (or a lot). Versus the way the pleats should be pressed which is straight with no flare.

To press the pleats that way without basting them first, you need to press them each individually by hand. Basting them first makes it easier to press the kilt as a whole (but I still use a hand steamer).

One piece of advice I have heard people give is to baste the pleats in before taking it to the cleaners. You really don't need to know how to sew to do this. Just lay the kilt out on a table in front of you, with the pleats laying as they should. I like to then pin the pleats all in place just to make it easier for me.

Take a needle and sturdy thread. I usually use white thread because it is easy to see. And just stitch in a line along the bottom of the pleats. I use big bold stitches, about one per pleat. They don't have to be even or perfect. All they have to do is keep the pleats in place.

When you get the kilt back from the cleaners, remove the thread and your kilt should be fine.

FYI, The Bruce did get in touch with me and I will be repressing the kilt for him. Glad to help.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 21st June 13, 04:18 AM

I found a photo that shows the basting stitches pretty well.

**creagdhubh** · 21st June 13, 04:56 AM

Originally Posted by M. A. C. Newsome

FYI, The Bruce did get in touch with me and I will be repressing the kilt for him. Glad to help.

Now, that's what I'm talking about! Well done, Matt.

Kindest regards,

**TheBrus** · 21st June 13, 06:46 AM

Matt, thank you for the instructions. I'd love it if I could find a "photo tutorial" of this. We're going to give this one more shot. The drycleaners that I selected are very professional, and did a wonderful job cleaning the kilt. I'm now working on educating them about how to press kilt pleats. It turns out, there are about 5 other clients that wear kilts. So this could be a nice little niche market for them. I think, however, while they're learning, I will send another of my kilts to Matt to press--it's my tank.

Jared the Brus

**RockyR** · 22nd June 13, 04:48 AM

When you take you kilt to the cleaners, you can ask them to clean but NOT PRESS it. That's what we do for our rental kilts and most of the time they come back fine without needing to be repressed at all.