Pleats are goofed

[TheDev]

Ugh. Like a fool, I wore my kilt out to the D/FW Kilt night, and the pleats are a bit askance. I have to wear the kilt tomorrow/today (Saturday) for my wedding! What I need to know is if it's safe to just steam the pleats without doing that sewing bit in the tutorials.

I realize there's probably a thread on this, but as I have to be up by 7:30, I need to sleep so I'm hoping someone can drop some advice by the time I wake up.

Thanks!

[Beertigger]

I've always just steamed my kilts, or pressed 'em carefully - never bothered w/ basting.

Congrats, btw!

[Bugbear]

Yep. I just finnished steaming my wool kilt a little while ago; mostly to try out my new steamer. Hung it from the shower rod with no basting involved. I did the same with the non-wool kilt earlier.

I don't know which kind of kilt you have, and how you normaly hang it. I have a hanger on the aprons and one on the pleats. I just hang it up like that and shoot steam at it from a few inches away from the surface of the pleats, then I put the hanger with the aprons on the other side to do the other pleats.

I smoothe over the pleats with my hands on either side of the kilt pressing them together a little, then I repeat the steaming. If there is still a rumple somewhere, I work at it with steam then smoothing until it's OK.

I've never had a problem with my wool kilt that has required more than a tiny bit of steam or even just hanging in the closet for a day, though.

[McMurdo]

If ironing them make sure you use a cloth betweeen the kilt and iron, so as to avoid the burnt shine on the wool.

[TheDev]

Life savers, both of you.

Thanks!

[RockyR]

ALSO... if the pleats are just a little wrinkled, try leaving the kilt hanging on the OUTSIDE of your shower rod or on your towel rack while you take a hot shower. OR... turn the shower on 'scalding' and don't take a shower, but close the door and leave the room for 10 min or so. Let the steam room effect lessen the wrinkles.

[Highlander31]

ALSO... if the pleats are just a little wrinkled, try leaving the kilt hanging on the OUTSIDE of your shower rod or on your towel rack while you take a hot shower. OR... turn the shower on 'scalding' and don't take a shower, but close the door and leave the room for 10 min or so. Let the steam room effect lessen the wrinkles.

That's the technique I use when on the road. When the shower is finished, both the kilt and I are ready to go,...well almost.

[pdcorlis]

Great advice from one and all - I just wanted to add my best wishes to you both on your wedding day!

[Carolina Kiltman]

I won't add advice. . . . you have a lot of good stuff there. Just wanted to say congratulations and best wishes!
Post pics as soon as you can.