A Great Kilt or Belted Plaid

**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