A Little Bit of Advice Requested

[MacMillans son]

If it were me, I would send it back to Lady Chrystel to be done properly, and buy a cheaper PV kilt for the kind of activities you described.

[Alan H]

If it were me, I would send it back to Lady Chrystel to be done properly, and buy a cheaper PV kilt for the kind of activities you described.

Bold and underline added by me.

[Spartan Tartan]

If it were me, I would send it back to Lady Chrystel to be done properly, and buy a cheaper PV kilt for the kind of activities you described.

Another ***. I am sorry to hear of your experience.

[Mickey]

Chas, the paperclip method is genius! As always, no matter where you are, if you want to look sharp, ask a military dude. We know the shortcuts that actually work.

Which begs a question.... here, for our trouser creases, we used to use beeswax. Do you, or anybody else, have an opinion on how this might work on kilt creases? Personally, I don't think it would work, at least outside an inspection that didn't involve a car ride. But for trousers, it was tops.

[ThistleDown]

If it were me, I would send it back to Lady Chrystel to be done properly....

That's what I would do, too. Or, at the very least, I would ask her for her professional advice. She's just a PM away

[creagdhubh]

That's what I would do, too. Or, at the very least, I would ask her for her professional advice. She's just a PM away

I agree. Ugh, my heart breaks for you mate. This is why many kiltmakers and most habitual kilt-wearers will advise not to send your kilt to the dry-cleaners, because th emajority of the time they don't know what the heck they are doing; the heat and chemicals dry-cleaners use are far too severe for the nice wool of the tartan; and most commerical dry-cleaners (at least that I know of in the US) have in their disclaimer that they are not liable for any sort of possible damage to a garment, should that arise Unfortunately, these horror stories have happened before.

Best of luck and be sure to keep us posted,

[MacLowlife]

I expect one could substitute wooden clothespins for paper clips- with the caveat that you would have to press around them and slide them into place after having pressed the spot next... All of this sounds laborious, but much less so than basting.

Jordan, you have my sympathies- that feeling that something STILL isn't right, even when others no longer see the flaw- it's a terrible nagging feeling. But I do think you should give it a go with some kind of clips, metal, wood or otherwise. Or maybe try both methods- basting and clipping- on different pleats and see which gives better results and requires less effort.

In the end, the knowledge that you gave it a try is probably as comforting as anything else. Do let us know.

[Dixiecat]

I expect one could substitute wooden clothespins for paper clips- with the caveat that you would have to press around them and slide them into place after having pressed the spot next... All of this sounds laborious, but much less so than basting.

Jordan, you have my sympathies- that feeling that something STILL isn't right, even when others no longer see the flaw- it's a terrible nagging feeling. But I do think you should give it a go with some kind of clips, metal, wood or otherwise. Or maybe try both methods- basting and clipping- on different pleats and see which gives better results and requires less effort.

In the end, the knowledge that you gave it a try is probably as comforting as anything else. Do let us know.

I love that idea about clothespins! Those would be so easy to move around. And no fear of getting any stains on the kilt. I work alot with dance tartans that have great swathes of white that any speck of unseen rust would instantly leave a permanent stain. Of course I don't use paperclips at all being of the pin/baste/press bend of mind, but clothespins would give a sweet alternative to pinning before basting. Thanks!

[Gingerpose]

Jordan, I think it might be worth your while phoning the local kilt rental shops and asking what they do with kilts returned in poor condition. I think they will use professional cleaners, or they may do it in-house, either way they will no doubt have dealt with kilts which have been sadly been on the receiving end of treatment like yours was.

[Jordan]

You know, Jordan, it really isn't difficult to press your own kilt. This is a skill you should learn to master.


Chas

That's a great idea Chas, I would never have thought of that method.

I can do a quick touch up on the pleats but I'm not so sure that I can re-pleat a whole kilt.

MacMillan's son and Alan H a cheaper kilt is good for just bumming about but since I was smartly dressed at the time sometimes you just have to risk it.

Checking the kilt rental shops is a good idea, I wish I had thought of that before. I know just the place to swing past today.

And beeswax is a new method to me, I am unfortunately familiar with the pritt stick idea, someone mentioned it one of my cadets the night before an inspection/camp photo last year and he managed to glue creases about an inch thick into his trousers