Thoughts on making a Box Pleat Kilt

[NorCalPiper]

So I'm almost done with my Box Pleat kilt using half of the material that I scored with that eBay Black Watch material auction. I've become quite the wiz on the sewing machine, so I decided to make my 2nd box pleat using the machine on the pleats, etc. While not quite as satisfying as a MAtt Newsome handsewn kilt, I'm REALLY pleased with how its coming along. I want to point out that prepping a box pleated kilt is EXTREMELY tough. While making traditional knife pleated kilts is a precise exercise, I find that making the box pleats is EXTREMELY tough for me and I always wonder how the hell Matt does it! Because of the sett of this material, I could only achieve 6 pleats. I know this isn't that unheard of, but I guess because of the few number, any inconsistencies are blatant. Anyway, I'm almost done, and I'm going to JoAnne's to pick up some really good lining material that I found. Once I get that on, I'll post pics! MAN-Its been tough!

[Hothir Ethelnor]

My box pleat also has only six pleats.

You could have doubled it to twelve and done two pleats per sett repeat. But then you would have pretty shallow pleats. I opted for deeper wider pleats.

You have to post pics when you're done.

[The_Tailor]

My box pleat has 4 pleats due to the size of the sett. I figure if it looks good, well then that's enough.

[Kilt_Like_Objects]

I try to do my box pleats about 90mm at the seat for my 941mm seat which gives me 5.

I find they look better with an odd number - generally - and I've been tempted to try one with just 3 about 150mm pleats. Will be tough to get it to work with 3, though.

I don't use tartan, so sett size matters not.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Josh,

That's great that you are trying your hand at kilt making. I look forward to seeing the results.

Historically, the smallest number of pleats I've seen on a box pleated kilt is 6 (it's actually the MacDuff kilt, c. 1800, that we have on display in the museum). And, in my own kilt making career, 6 is also the smallest number I've made. I'd say on average I get between 8 and 10 pleats in a kilt, but up to 12 is not unusual. Of course, for larger men the number will be higher.

I find that a pleat width of anywhere from 2" to 3" is ideal. I've done larger pleats for larger men and they don't look bad because they are proportional to the size of the garment. I think the largest I've done has been around 3.75" or 4" wide. I wouldn't go this wide on a slimmer man, though.

[jhockin]

just to share with y'all, a photo of the 4 meter box pleat, in Macnaughton Weathered (pleated to-the-sett), that I finished a couple of weeks ago; as you'll see, it has 10 pleats. Not as warm as the 8 yard Maple Leaf "tank", that I made before that ( with help from the forum folk), but I've had numerous complements, when i wear it) :

[SoulFyre777]

jsut to share with y'all, a photo of the 4 meter box pleat, in Macnaughton Weathered (pleated to-the-sett), that I finished a couple of weeks ago; as you'll see, it has 10 pleats. Not as warm as the 8 yard Maple Leaf "tank", that I made before that ( with help from the forum folk), but I've had numerous complements, when i wear it) :

Me LIKEY!! Who's your tartan supplier, jhockin?

</thread hijack>

[jhockin]

got it on sale, from Fraser & Kirkbright ( all gone now, as I bought the last 8 meters of double wide). I made the box pleat with half of one 4 meter piece, and a 'day plaid' and a scarf, with the other 4 meter piece; still have half of the first 4 meter piece, with which I plan to make a second box pleat.
As an aside, in another thread ( or 2), discusing using day plaids: I wore the day plaid, yesterday ( with my 8 yd Maple Leaf, hand sewn 'traditional' 'tank'), while out walking the dog. It was a cool day, with occassional drizzle, and even with the Plaid mostly folded, and wrapped around my torso, I was nice and warm. I find it very practical and comfortable.

[Alan H]

just to share with y'all, a photo of the 4 meter box pleat, in Macnaughton Weathered (pleated to-the-sett), that I finished a couple of weeks ago; as you'll see, it has 10 pleats. Not as warm as the 8 yard Maple Leaf "tank", that I made before that ( with help from the forum folk), but I've had numerous complements, when i wear it) :

I didn't know you were sewing up your own kilts, now. That's GREAT.

NorCalPiper, my California Modern Box pleat has 5 pleats...looks fine, I wear it all the time.

[Squeaky McMurdo]

Aha! I knew my screen was being silly! Yesterday when I looked at this picture the tartan appeared bright pink, lime green, and electric blue My thoughts were that wow....that one puts Loud MacLeod's loudness to shame.

And then all these replies with ooohs and ahhhs admiring the tartan showed up and I began to suspect something was amiss.

That IS a lovely tartan.

--Chelsea McMurdo--