Pleats on a new wool kilt

[The Wizard of BC]

I've only recently been learning how to do this and found your explanation to be very helpful. I have one further question: do you press on both sides of the pleats?

Thanks,
Jonathan

Yes, Jonathan one of the purposes of basting is to hold the pleat alignment as we move the kilt around as needed.

We press the outside - let the fabric cool - then turn the kilt over and press the inside.

[imbrius]

Note that some of the lines may look wavy - that's because the kilt is hanging on a hanger. When the pleats are laid flat, the stripes of the sett do indeed align properly.

IMG_7983.JPG
IMG_7988.JPG

If you look at it from below, you can see why I would like the pleats set properly.

IMG_7986.JPG

Edit: yes, I see the pinching in the first two photos. I'll correct that before I take it in tomorrow.

[jthk]

Note that some of the lines may look wavy - that's because the kilt is hanging on a hanger. When the pleats are laid flat, the stripes of the sett do indeed align properly.

If you look at it from below, you can see why I would like the pleats set properly.

Edit: yes, I see the pinching in the first two photos. I'll correct that before I take it in tomorrow.

Hey now, good luck! Good on you for basting your own pleats. I've done it all of twice and need more practice.

Guluck!

[cms1528]

You did such a nice job I think you should press it yourself if you have the means.

[imbrius]

You did such a nice job I think you should press it yourself if you have the means.

Well thanks but I really don't. I should. I have only a very small hot sole non-steam iron. (It's my wife's from her university days. It has a water tank that's only good for spraying out the front unheated.) And I'd have to press it where I basted: on a small, glass-top coffee table, which is really not a good thing to be pressing on.

I pick it up from the cleaners tonight.

[jthk]

You did such a nice job I think you should press it yourself if you have the means.

Yeah, dude. Basting it is the "difficult" part of the job. Once you baste it, the pressing is -- as my teenagers say -- "dumb easy".

[imbrius]

I have the kilt. It came back pressed very nicely, exactly the way I intended it. I have photos I will share later. I'm very glad I basted it myself, however, as the cleaner insisted that I did it wrong because the pleats were all different depths and that she would prefer to remove the stitching and do it herself. :P

[Father Bill]

I have the kilt. It came back pressed very nicely, exactly the way I intended it. I have photos I will share later. I'm very glad I basted it myself, however, as the cleaner insisted that I did it wrong because the pleats were all different depths and that she would prefer to remove the stitching and do it herself. :P

Good Lord; you're dealing with an idiot!

[Tarheel]

I am glad you stood your ground on basting your own kilt. If the pleats are correct after the pressing, then job well done for your effort.

[Father Bill]

I keep thinking about this one in horror. Did this individual plan to disassemble the top of the kilt as well?

In future, I wouldn't take a handkerchief to this cleaners, let alone return with my kilt.