Starching a PV kilt

[Sir Didymous]

A few years back I bought a couple of rather inexpensive PV kilts. They have held up great so far, but recently I have found it getting harder and harder to maintain crisp looking pleats. I automatically thought that a quick spray of starch during my post-wash ironing would help resolve the issue. However, I don't know how well the kilts would handle the starch.

I know that poly-viscous is polyester/rayon blend and there shouldn't be much problem in terms of the fabric itself. But would it negatively affect the pleats? Would it make them too stiff or ruin the swish? Also, should I spray the inside, the outside, or both? Will the spray leave a film?

I usually use the historical method of starching as most of the starch I use is on cravats, collars, and the odd shirt for reenacting. Even though spray starch is sort of alien to me, dipping my kilts in boiling water just isn't practical. Any advice is welcome.

[Pleater]

Spray starch is going to be the most useful. It can be done lightly and then another layer applied if required, so you can get the effect you require.

Spray the inside of your kilt and then iron lightly just to see how the starch alters the fabric, and to remove any wrinkles. Use the iron at the coolest setting which has any effect. Some man made fibres will compact if got too warm when ironing and you can get the impression of the iron on the fabric, so a light pressure is always the better option even if it makes the job longer to do.

Turn the kilt right way up and use a pressing board and dry or very slightly damp cloth to set the outer folds, then press the pleats below the fell line - I have some long glass headed pins as used for quilting which I use to pin the pleats 5 or 6 at a time and then press them in place, lightly with the man made fabrics. I pin the pleats to the cover of the ironing board which has several layers of old woollen blanket beneath the heat reflecting cover.

The fell can be pressed separately if needed, with the pleats hanging down from the narrow end of the board. Probably best done on the inside first, then cover with a dry cloth and iron on the outside after letting the iron cool down from the pressing temperature which will most likely be slightly higher than for ironing, but not very much higher.

Make sure that the pins are glass headed, not plastic, as they make a real mess if ironed over and melted.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: