The actual putting needle and thread through fabric is very easy.
The hard part is measuring to keep the Tartan pattern perfectly aligned with the pleat creased edge and the same width from the bottom of the Fell Area all the way to the selvedge edge.
Just take your time with a tape measure. Don't be afraid to correct any errors you may find.
The basting stitches are not tight enough to pucker the fabric but snug enough to keep them from shifting.
If your kilt is pleated to display the same stripe down each pleat the stripe will usually go right down the center of each pleat.
If you kilt is pleated to display the entire Sett, just follow the pattern found up at the bottom of the Fell Area which should reproduce the Sett.
This should give you a good idea of where you are trying to go.
And this is what pressing with a pressing cloth looks like.
If you want you can press over an ironing board. This really shows why basting is required. Imagine trying to press with those pleats flopping off the side of the ironing board.
When you are done pressing, take the temporary basting back out, put the kilt on and look in a mirror. All of the pleats should be hanging straight, parallel and there should be no 'stage curtain' folds or splaying.
Remember to post some "after" shots for us.
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