Who actually OWNS a Scottish hand-sewn?

[bubba]

Simply go to a sewing store an buy "Selvidge Tape".

Jimmy, can you give us some product names? The tapes I know of are adhesive and meant to bond 2 layers together and a search hasn't turned up anything suitable under "selvage tape".

[Hamish]

Ham,

What do you use to condition the leather?

Did you ask Howie about this potential problem? If so, what was his answer?

Rob

Taking the advice I was given here, Rob, I visited a nearby sadler's emporium and explained the problem. I was immediately recommended to a Leather Balm with the trade name of "Effax" (it's actually made in Austria!). One simply rubs it into the leather and polishes off the surplus to a shine. Cost: £5.99 for a 500ml tub. Take care not to get it on the kilt fabric, however.

As for Howie: he told me that, of course, the kilts that form the basic stock of the hire (rental) side of his father's company, are constantly being dry-cleaned, and that they take no special precautions with the leather straps, or the buckles. (Of course, they are in a good position to replace both of these once they start to deteriorate - if necessary!).

[Hamish]

ham what is the procedure when restoring pleats; i understood that they could only be refreshed by my own iron? and how is the hoffmann press working?
even if i don t nknow this one, i m sure not to find one in central europe

Hi Mcnice,

When 'refreshing' the pleats myself, I carefully lay the kilt on my carpet (yes, on the floor. That way you can lay the kilt out fully and keep it flat), and take time to arrange each pleat into its correct position. I then press the pleats through a damp cloth, running the iron from the hip position down to the bottom/hem, maybe two or three pleats at a time. I exert as much pressure as I can whilst doing this, but take great care to ensure that the pleats have not moved under the damp cloth. When I have finished, I leave the kilt on the floor until it has cooled and any dampness dried, before hanging it.

It is a nightmare trying to do this on an ironing board since the weight of the fabric hanging either side makes it very difficult to position the pleats.

I have not seen a Hoffmann press at close quarters, but it is an industrial, part mechanical, steam press that, I believe, presses virtually all of the kilt's pleats at the same time. It also exerts far greater pressure than one can achieve with a hand iron. I would expect almost every dry-cleaning establishment to have one of these - or something very similar.

[Mychael Sporrano]

This is excellent information- thank you very much, Ham! Like you, I would tend toward protecting the leather whenever dry cleaning. However, it is certainly good to hear how the pros handle the situation. Of course, one should keep in mind that Geoffrey (Tailor) might have access to a particularly good dry cleaner who knows how to best handle kilts as compared to a dry cleaner I might happen upon.

Mychael

[Canuck]

I understand that some of the newer cleaning chemicals can denature the genuine leather straps on our kilts. So, after seeking advice in this place a while back, I condition the leather thoroughly both before and after dry-cleaning. To date: no problems at all.

Ham,

What do you use to condition the leather?

Did you ask Howie about this potential problem? If so, what was his answer?

Rob

As I jump in here too. I use Kiwi mink oil. It comes in a paste in a shoe polish tin. I rub it to the leather with my fingers before it goes in the wash and after ( my contemporary kilts). Works really well

[mcnice]

thx jimmy for ur answer, i ll try this.
thx ham for ur instruction cause i will soon have to refresh my pleats. and could we use the effax also for leather sporrans?

[Hamish]

thx jimmy for ur answer, i ll try this.
thx ham for ur instruction cause i will soon have to refresh my pleats. and could we use the effax also for leather sporrans?

Yes, McNice, "Effax" is an all-purpose leather conditioner. I believe it is designed for horse-riders to use on their tack. It can also be used on leather jackets, so I see no reason why it cannot be used on our sporrans. Although my oldest sporran is now over 30 years old I have never treated it with a leather food or conditioner, and it's perfectly 'happy'!!

[Vince]

How did I miss this thread?
I have a traditional woolen ~8 yd, 13 oz, handmade kilt. I also have a 4 yd PV Bear kilt. Both kilts are well made and I like them both. Having said that, I must say that when I am out and about, I wear the traditional kilt. Generally I wear it causually. It feels great and looks great. Based on the number of compliments I have received, other people seem to agree with me about its looks.

Latest compliment was last Sunday at the airport. While a friend was checking in, my girlfriend and I were leaning on a rail next to the excalator. A woman(probably in her late 30's) came up and said, "I just had to stop by and let you know that I think your kilt is gorgeous."

[Freelander Sporrano]

Simply go to a sewing store an buy "Selvidge Tape".

Jimmy, can you give us some product names? The tapes I know of are adhesive and meant to bond 2 layers together and a search hasn't turned up anything suitable under "selvage tape".

Isn't it "selvedge tape" Bubba. Their are lots of links on goggle I just haven't found one for an Iron on type
Beat of luck....David

[bubba]

Right, my typo. I haven't found anything like what Jimmy was talking about yet, that's why I asked him to give us some product names. That way we can look for something specific.