Repleating an old kilt

**Brian F** · 28th January 08, 01:34 PM

Well, I have decided to make another kilt.

After careful consideration of what to do with my ill-pleated but most loved first kilt, String came up with the idea of ripping the fell out and repleating it.

I liked this idea, and since I had a scrap of free time today, I decided to rip the seams out.

For the pictures:

This is the kilt in question, as worn this weekend. See this post for that and other photos.

These are the pleats, before ripping. I can follow the pattern that was trying to be made, but...no. I just don't like it. So I am probably going to pleat to the white stripe.

What I now have is 4 yards of very nice acrylic fabric.

Once I get this washed up (Wednesday, hopefully) I think I'll get my Matt Newsome on and make me a new box-pleated kilt, unless I decide that repleating violates my kilt buying/making hiatus.

Updates to come!!

~Yeti

**string** · 28th January 08, 01:36 PM

I don't think it counts as cheating on the hiatus, since you already had this kilt, you're just fixing it.

**Brian F** · 28th January 08, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by string

I don't think it counts as cheating on the hiatus, since you already had this kilt, you're just fixing it.

**Pleater** · 28th January 08, 03:54 PM

I have some kilts which have been remade four times - I lost 12 inches off my waist measurement.

Although I use natural fibres, mostly, it can't be much different using man made if it is in good condition.

A light ironing under a dry cloth should flatten it out if you want to reposition the creases. The cloth will prevent polishing of the surface, but it is best to work on the inside, just in case, and then you've got your fabric back to reform as you like.

I find that with hand stitching it is easier to undo, though I put in machine sewn seams which are most likely to be permanent.

I suspect that I get more pleasure out of remaking a kilt than finishing off a new one - because I have improved a garment rather than just made from cloth.

**Barb T** · 29th January 08, 06:21 AM

Just a heads up - if you try to do this with a full-yardage trad knife-pleated kilt made by someone who uses traditional kiltmaking methods, it won't work, because all of the pleats are cut out to reduce bulk between the bottom of the fell and the top of the kilt.

**Brian F** · 29th January 08, 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by Barb T.

Just a heads up - if you try to do this with a full-yardage trad knife-pleated kilt made by someone who uses traditional kiltmaking methods, it won't work, because all of the pleats are cut out to reduce bulk between the bottom of the fell and the top of the kilt.

Duly noted. Thanks for the info!

**James MacMillan** · 29th January 08, 07:47 AM

Tartan is tartan, regardless of the source and should be cherished. Good Luck!

**Alan H** · 31st January 08, 05:37 PM

You CAN make your own box-pleated kilt, you know. Honest, you can. Will it be as nice as one of Matts? No, almost certainly not. But will it be pretty darned nice? Yup.

We oughtta talk.