starrchy, stiff, new great kilt

[jdawgnc]

I am getting married this fall and my loving mother recently finished sewing up my Kincaid tartan great kilt. It looks great, however since the fabric is still new it has a lot of stiffness. I know washing a kilt is a big no-no, especially since it is fairly heavy wool. It is basically a big blanket that is about 15' x 5' with some belt loops sewn in to make it easier to put on for the big day. I was wondering if putting it in the dryer on just a low or air dry setting would help to break it in a bit or if I should just accept it being stiff? The edges have been stiched so I'm not too concerned about it coming all unravelled but I'm just not sure how the fabric will hold up in the dryer. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated since I would truly hate to screw up such an expensive and cool looking kilt!

[Mudge]

Heat and wool don't work well together in a dryer...it will shrink and then you may not be able to wear it. I would prefer the stiffness. I would think that the pleats would hold up better during sitting.
Best wishes on your wedding!! -Mike

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I wanted to soften up a shepherd's plaid I had woven, and I also wanted to thicken the fabric just a bit.

I ran it through our washing machine in cold water on the delicate/gentle cycle. Then I put in in the dryer on low heat, and checked it every so often just to see how it was doing.

The cloth definitely got softer. It got a bit thicker. And it shrank from 29" wide to 28" wide. Basically what I was doing was felting it ever so slightly. I did it very deliberately and in a controlled manner.

By the way, this plaid was 16 oz weight worsted wool, same cloth used in kilts.

So yes, if this is what you want to do with your cloth, go for it. But do it carefully, as I did. Don't just throw it in the washer & dryer on high heat!

[jdawgnc]

Thanks Mac, I actually purchased the tartan from your museum's gift shop. I'm very leery of putting it in the wash at all sinch I don't really want it to shrink or thicken up any. I am thinking just an air dry or low heat that is carefully monitored should soften it up a good bit. Has anyone had experience with this before since I'm sure I'm not the first guy who wanted my new great kilt to drape more casually? I am assuming that it comes from the weaver with a starch on it to make it easier to work with and to take a proper pleat. Will just running it through the dryer get rid of the stiffness?