Pleating clamp system

[Tartan Hiker]

Hello all,
While not a professional kiltmaker, I certainly seem to find myself making them on a regular basis. Shawn (thatcelticband) just retained me to make his father a kilt using the Maclean of Duart tartan mentioned in several threads here on XMTS.

Anyhoo, I really prefer to do my work on a table top. I know how to follow Barb's excellent "crossed knees" technique, and will do that when I sew "on the road" as it were, but here at home I like to keep the fabric on the table where I can bring the light and my reading glasses to bear more comfortably. Barb mentions in The Book that some folks use a clamp system to provide tension while stitching the pleats, so I decided to invent a clamp system for myself.

I got the ratchet-action clamp at Home Depot for $3. Drilled holes in the handles and secured some nylon utility cord with stop knots. The cord has a loop tied in the center to attach the second piece of cord, which I tie to the table legs. When you hit the release of this clamp it springs open full width, about 9", which is a nuisance, thus the short cord between the handles to limit the opening to about 2".

Here it is in use. (purists, please pardon the pins!). By pinching the fabric with the left hand and pulling against the clamp you can easily tension the cloth for accurate and consistent stitching. I'm well along on this kilt right now and haven't had to remove a single pleat stitch yet. I love this system!

Important notes: the clamp has soft plastic non-marking jaws that swivel so that they meet flat. I wouldn't recommend using a run-of-the-mill clamp that is nothing more than a big clothes pin...the jaws usually meet edge to edge and that might be tough on the fabric.

[sydnie7]

Thanks very much for sharing this get-up, looks like just what I need!

Really should get the XMTS PV kilt started before the NEXT run of fabric appears. . .

[Whidbey78]

I just started on my first kilt and was wishing I had a third hand. I have a clamp like that...can't believe I didn't think of that. Thanks.

[Tartan Tess]

The last kilt I made was a very small one and hard to keep tucked under my leg. Great idea. Thanks for sharing it.

[Barb T]

One of the guys at the STM Kilt Kamp a couple of springs ago devised a similar system, and it worked great. It's a terrific way to put the kind of tension on the pleats that you need in order to pleat accurately if you can't sit comfortably with your knees crossed. "The position" is easy for some and impossible for others, especially those who have arthritic hips or knees.

On some days, I have to get up and walk around after a few pleats, so I can completely understand. I may be one of those who'll need to use a clamp system in a few years!

[Kiltboy]

What a simple and effective solution. I like it. I'll have to try that myself as "the position" got to me.

For some reason I started singing that old Schoolhouse Rock song...
Mother Necessity, where would we be?