A Great Kilt or Belted Plaid

**Pleater** · 27th July 06, 08:53 AM

You could try putting loops on the inside of the fabric where you want to pleat it.

Thread a long cord through the loops and tie it within the length to the first and (temporarily) to the last loop separated by about three times the length of cord you want the drawn in length to be. That is, for each foot of pleats put in one yard of cord.

To draw the pleats in pull a loop of cord back through the first fixed loop and then draw the cord lying between the first and second fixed loops through it. Draw the cord lying between the second and third fixed loops through the loop you just made, and so on across the pleats. Pass the end of the cord through the last loop to fix it.

After a few goes you learn what size of loops to make to get an even distribution of fabric, and if you need to adjust the cord at the last fixed loop for a perfect result.

I must confess to having done this only with curtains, but it works every time, you can quickly release the last loop and have the fabric lay flat - I think that for most great kilts the 2/3rds reduction should work out about right.

If you tie the ends of the cord around your waist you then have the fabric under control to preen as you like. You can draw the folds around to the right or divide them fron the centre back in Kinguisse style. I think you would make the centre loop through two fixed loops for a Kinguisse style, so creating a box pleat.

With a bit of extra jigging you could make reverse Kinguisse, by fixing the cord at the centre back and looping left and right from there.

You might like to tie a ring or leather loop on one end of the cord, or up against the first fixed loop so you can tie a quick release knot through it or use it to hang up the kilt for pleating off the ground, or fit a pocket on the loop for hiding away your modern items but still have them to hand.

Wrap your belt around and you're good to go.

**way2fractious** · 27th July 06, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by Pleater

To draw the pleats in pull a loop of cord back through the first fixed loop and then draw the cord lying between the first and second fixed loops through it. Draw the cord lying between the second and third fixed loops through the loop you just made, and so on across the pleats. Pass the end of the cord through the last loop to fix it.

I tried to follow along and visualize the process here. Since curtains and I haven't met yet, I had to try something else. The closest I could get was how a construction worker "braids" a long extension cord to keep it from tangling, with the inclusion of one of these "belt loops" between each "braid." Now I have to go try it for real.

**jjoseph** · 27th July 06, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by way2fractious

I tried to follow along and visualize the process here. Since curtains and I haven't met yet, I had to try something else. The closest I could get was how a construction worker "braids" a long extension cord to keep it from tangling, with the inclusion of one of these "belt loops" between each "braid." Now I have to go try it for real.

It's a chain stitch in crochet.

**Pleater** · 27th July 06, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by jjoseph

It's a chain stitch in crochet.

I was really trying not to write 'crochet' - but yes that is exactly what it is - it is used to control the warp threads after they are laid out until they can be wound onto the loom, and the Navaho use it to create a multiple thread yarn from a single spun thread.

**MacWage** · 27th July 06, 06:18 PM

For more info on the historical use of draw cords on belted plaids:

http://albanach.org/drawstring.htm

It is ALWAYS wise to really look at old portraits VERY CAREFULLY, as it is truly amazing as what may be found.

**Scottish Chi** · 27th July 06, 09:32 PM

Thanks for the great information!

Caradoc - good point about not stitching in the pleats. I think I will leave that alone especially since Pleater has revealed a great alternative. I had a hard time at first visuallizing the proceedure until way2fractious and jjoseph posted.

This team approach just goes to illustrate again the collective power of XMarks. Thanks.

I had a few minutes to try pleating the fabric on the floor and belting in on by following some pictures on a website. I think it will take a few more tries to get the hang of it.

Cheers! Bill