Pressing a Box Pleat Kilt?

[Bugbear]

It's a little difficult, but not impossible for me to press a kilt.

How does pressing a box pleat kilt differ from pressing a knife pleat kilt, going by the Wizard's tutorial?
Is one kilt style easier than the other to press?
How does pressing a double box pleat kilt differ from the single box pleat?

Thank you.

[Barb T]

Main thing with a box pleated kilt is not to press the dickens out of it, the way you'd press a knife pleated kilt. If you press hard, the edges that either overlap a little or don't quite meet in the back will ghost through as a trough or a ridge if you press the way you'd normally press a kilt. A light touch and a press cloth is all you need.

And basting is just as crucial as it is with a knife-pleated kilt. Although the instructions in the following tutorial are for basting a knife pleated kilt, they can be easily modified for pressing a box pleated or double box pleated kilt:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/b...x.html?t=35190

[Bugbear]

Thanks Barb.

I've been looking into having a box pleat kilt made. I wanted to make sure that I would be able to press it, baste it, and I guess hand wash it too. I have to adapt the way these things are done to not require vision, so I end up doing them a little differently... and usually a lot more slowly.

In the back of my mind, I am thinking that maybe box pleats will be even a little easier with the fewer pleats, and for the washing, lighter weight. However, I worry the double box pleats might be a little mor complicated for me to deal with than the single box or the knife.

It's not the only reason I would choose the box pleat, though.

[Dan R Porter]

I have found that I should not touch an iron, unless I want my kilts pleated to the stripe and set on the same kilt! Lucky I dont have a brown melted patch the shape of the iron.

I am looking into sending my kilt out to be pressed. Maybe this would be a good option if it is a $$$ kilt.

[Bugbear]

Oh, I have no way of knowing if I am putting a crease on the line of the tartan properly. I just make sure that the creases that are there never ever get to the point that they need to be re done. Steaming it, checking it, making sure it is hanging in the closet properly, basting etc. It helps that I don't often wear the kilt.

I re shaped the left apron edge to a better shape, but that is as far as I have ever re creased anything. Guess I did put the hemm in the underapron and the first pleat, too.

[wyldathart]

I'm gonna learn to do it all with my kilt. believe me when I say that any pressing that needs doing is better off being done by me instead of the local redneck cleaners. I'm sure my kilt would come back with horizontal pleats and a " Oooops " for why my kilt was destroyed. Allready soaking up the tutorials here

[The Wizard of BC]

Ted, One way to make it possible for you to press your Kilts when needed is to have the Pleat creases edge stitched.

In fact edge stitching the pleats eliminates the need to press all together. All you would need to do is remove wrinkles with a steamer of light ironing.

I know this is not traditional but unless you wish to send out your Kilts to a Kiltmaker each time re-pressing is required edge stitching the Pleats may be a viable alternative.

When I work with non Wool fabrics such as Poly/Cotton or 100% Cotton I always edge stitch the pleats.
I have also edge stitched the Hash House Harriers box pleated running Kilts I have made because I know they will take a beating and need re-pressing often.

The average person will never tell your pleats are edge stitched. Even an experienced Kiltie won't really care. So give it a try.

[Bugbear]

Hey, Wizard, have you ever done a kilt, say a five yard, in pin wale corduroy? I've just been wondering how that material works out on a contemporary.

Anyway, you're right that it would be easier if the pleats were edge stitched.

[Bugbear]

I should explain that better. The edge stitching reminded me of my Buzz Kidder pleated-canvas, man-skirt. I keep looking at that thing and thinking it would look good in corduroy with a longer fell and a couple of other changes.

Anyway, I think even having a tactile stitch on the inside edge of each crease at the bottom edge of the kilt would help in lining up everything.

Right now, I just make sure everything is all steamed out and still creased every time I take the kilt off. That's about once every three or four months, but I check up on it every week or so to make sure it is hanging correctly in the closet, or just to steam it a little.

[The Wizard of BC]

Yes Ted, I've done Cord Kilts. I am not a fan of pin wale cord so it was my opinion that it did not look good. I did like the look of a wider wale though.

The thing with cord is the same with Wool. The heavier the better.

The problem with cord is that it is almost always Cotton. So wrinkling is an issue.

Your idea of a 5 yard is good. An 8 yarder is almost impossible because of the thickness of the fabric. You can't get it under the pressure foot of the machine.

A Box-Pleat Cord looks pretty good. Do you have access to some fabric you like?