Modern kilts or camo kilts with lots of pleating?

[Tartan Hiker]

Another potential issue is the difference in the content of the thread vs. the fabric. If one has more cotton than the other, for example, as it is washed, etc., they will contract differently, causing a roll at the pleats.

Which is another good reason to use all-polyester thread, like Coats and Clark Dual Duty XP, which is poly covered poly.

After making about 12 camo kilts I've settled on 1.5" reveals to properly display the camo pattern yet provide enough fabric to give the pleated section some heft. On my body (38" at trad kilt level) that gives me 15 pleats, and with poly/cotton or nylon/cotton fabrics I don't get a lot of curl. If the cotton content is 50% or less, most wrinkles should fall out in a reasonable length of time. Be sure to press with your iron set hot enough for the synthetic content, not on "cotton" setting as you'll melt the other fibers. Don't trust your irons settings...test on scraps until you get it just right. The synthetic content should soften, but not actually melt. Melting will result in an obviously shiny surface that is flattened (less texture) when compared with unironed fabric. It may seem that melting the synthetic fibers would provide for a longer-lasting press, but the reverse is actually true in my experience. I'd like Steve to comment on his observations on iron temp, especially if his differ from what I just said.

And if Steve has offered to help you, run, don't walk, to his shop with all possible haste. He is the master of contemporary kiltmaking.

[ccga3359]

And if Steve has offered to help you, run, don't walk, to his shop with all possible haste. He is the master of contemporary kiltmaking.

It did sound like an offer of input and assistance rather than a push for the "hard sell". So often Steve has added his experience to novice kilt makers.