pleat problems!

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Seamus,

You can always take the kilt to a reputable Dry Cleaner, and have it pressed with a commercial machine. This often "kinks" the material into a nice tight pleat. If you're wearing a blend material, they can starch it too. After that, ironing is as easy as lining-up the pre-pressed folds and giving it a light touch-up. After ironing with some heat, let it sit for about 30 minutes, and go over it again with a "cooler" iron setting.

You'll be amazed at the difference and the longevity of the pleats.

[seamus]

hey, thanks a lot, i'll try that. my grandmother does a lot of sewing, and i'm going to see her soon...i wish i understood what rocky was talking about with the sewing down of the pleats.

[Miah]

When looking at the right edge of the pleats show there is a seam sewn down the pealt.
The pic is from USA kilts on the philabeg page

[RockyR]

Hey Seamus,

Sorry I didn't post sooner... when we're online at the shop (dial up) the phone doesn't ring and the answering machine doesn't pick up. If this happens again, wait 20 min and try again. OR you can send me an email wih your phone # and I'll call you.

rocky@usakilts.com or 610.650.USAK

Thank you Miah for posting that pic of the sewn down pleats. Seamus, keep in mind... you're not sewing more than 1 pleat TOGETHER, you're just sewing the VERY outter edge of each pleat to keep it Crisp.

To re-address your question, when you wash cotton Poly, the pleats WILL come out... There's another "less expensive" kilt maker on this board that makes 99% of their kilts out of Cotton Poly. When you wash them, you just HAVE to iron them. There was no way aroung it (without altering the kilt) That's why I decided to start sewing down the tips of some of my kilts (a year ago)... I AM LAZY when it comes to ironing.

[seamus]

hey, thanks very much everyone. i shall do my best to get the sewing done neat and proper!

[Woodsheal]

If the fabric is wool, then I assume the pressed (not sewn down!) pleats hold up better than the cotton ones?

Thanks,

[Alaskan]

Without a doubt.
Wool pleats stay in place very well.

[RockyR]

Hey seamus,

Did you get your pleats sewn down for you (as per our conversation)? Just wondering how you made out.