pleat size?

**playalad** · 25th March 14, 04:32 PM

OK I want to make a new RevK kilt, my waist, so to speak actually where I wear my kilt is 34 inch. I normally put 14 pleats of 5cm x 12 cm. However, I wish to put more pleats in, any suggestions on how many I could get away with.

**ratspike** · 25th March 14, 05:48 PM

My kilts are not made in a traditional way so I don't do waist and hip splits. I calculate the number of pleats based on hip size, apron width, and pleat width.

5cm is not quite 2 inches, so a fairly wide pleat. For most of my kilts I make the pleats roughly 1.5" wide, which IMO is a nice width for a casual, every day kind of kilt. If I'm making a fancy dress up kilt with a wider, more traditional apron width, I make the pleats roughly 1" wide.

**playalad** · 26th March 14, 01:25 AM

Hi Bob, thanks for the reply. Sorry if I used cm typical for us Brits. OK, you say use 1.5" pleats so what is the under pleat reveal size?

Cheers
ADAM

**Jock Scot** · 26th March 14, 01:47 AM

Originally Posted by playalad

Hi Bob, thanks for the reply. Sorry if I used cm typical for us Brits. OK, you say use 1.5" pleats so what is the under pleat reveal size?

Cheers
ADAM

Speak for yourself! This Brit cannot relate to things metric, I cannot relate to centigrade, metres, hectares, litres etc, etc.. I still convert prices to Pounds, shillings and pence. A problem that many here have that were born too soon, I think.

**OC Richard** · 26th March 14, 06:31 AM

I took Elsie Stuehmeyer's kiltmaking class, and it was interesting that everything was done in inches. Then again, she learned her trade in the 1940s. When did Britain go metric?

Anyhow in The Art Of Kiltmaking the authors say "Pleats are typically no less than 1/2 inch at the waist and no more than 1 1/4 inch at the hips."

The kilt I made in the class, having virtually no taper, has the pleats a hair over 1/2 inch wide... it makes for a load of pleats! I have a couple kilts with 1 inch pleats and they use less fabric and are lighter to wear.

**ratspike** · 26th March 14, 07:02 AM

I typically put 6" of fabric in each pleat, so a depth of about 3". It's enough to have nice swing in the rear without being so much that the pleats need to be cut out and all that. For a kilt with cargo pockets and a narrower apron it's also an aesthetic thing. To me, wider pleats just look better for that application.

There isn't a hard and fast rule for this, it's just what I've found works for me. I'd try pleating a few sections with different widths and see which one appeals to you the most.

**playalad** · 26th March 14, 07:26 AM

Cheers Bob, that's what I have decided on. I am going to make in in just a light weigh black cotton drill with a contrasting apron. If I am happy with it then I shall make my white denim using the measurements.

Regards
Adam

**WillowEstate** · 26th March 14, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

Speak for yourself! This Brit cannot relate to things metric, I cannot relate to centigrade, metres, hectares, litres etc, etc.. I still convert prices to Pounds, shillings and pence. A problem that many here have that were born too soon, I think.

Exactly, Rods, Poles and Perches rule, OK! Metrics are the preserve of Europhiles and others unfamiliar withe their 8, 12, 14, 16, 20, 22 and 112 times multiplication tables!