Page 1 of 1

Kilt Mods

Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:26 am
by Zappinjack
I bought myself a couple of Practikilts from Mueseum Replica's. They are Ok, but I found them a bit under done as it were. The pleats just wouldn't stay in place. I found myself some thread to match the kilts and sewed down the pleats. This acrually really improved the look of them. The 2 hours of work was well worth it. I like the outcome enough to order a couple more. Anyone else have any tips or ideas to improve a kilt?

Re: Kilt Mods

Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 3:33 pm
by ChrisM
I am intrigued. Please describe how you sewed down the pleats. I assume you mean at their, umm, edges. Doesn't this make the skirt much less lively, much more like a straight skirt in the way it hangs? It just seems to me that this would really radically alter the 'feel' of the garment.

Quite interesting - I look forward to hearing more or seeing a picture.

Chris

Re: Kilt Mods

Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 4:23 pm
by crfriend
"Sewing down" the pleats refers to running a linear stitch close to and parallel to the fold of the pleats. It helps them retain their shape better and may be necessary if the fabric is very soft.

Re: Kilt Mods

Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 6:38 pm
by r.m.anderson
Not all kilts have sewen down pleats; but the better ones have the pleats
sewen down from 4-8 inches off the waist (belt line). Sewing the pleats
the rest of the way to the bottom hem does help in the reduction of the
maintenance (ironing) after washing or dry cleaning. The linear stitch is
inset about a sixteen (1/16) of inch along the knife pleat. This is a very
easy task as no fancy stitching is required. Just a simple straight stitch
down each pleat; 1/16 inch in and 1/16 inch spacing or a bit more with
a clear or color matching thread.
As for the swing of the kilt after this - it really does not change that much.
Heavy (tank) kilts made of wool do not need this but for the lighter acrylic
ones it does wonders in keeping the shape of the kilt longer.

If you have bought an inexpensive kilt with no buckles but using velcro
as the waist fastening - take that one step further on your belted/buckled
kilts. Then when getting dressed you aline the velcro strips and buckle the
buckles afterward without fumbling with pulling/tugging the buckle straps
through the buckle with the kilt trying to fall down/off.
Also this would keep the two apron panels flat so that a rear panel with
an off center tartan would not ride up and creating a different pattern from
the front panel. Very expensive custom kilts do not have this problem
of the errant overlap but this is as good a fix as I can think of for some of
my inexpensive kilts.

"Kilt-On"
rm

Re: Kilt Mods

Posted: Fri Jul 10, 2009 3:42 pm
by Zappinjack
The Practikilt is snaps only with belt loops for a 2" belt. I sewed the pleats about 1/8" from the folded edge with great results. I've been wearing it to work and out and about with good comments coming back. Last night I compared it to a utilikilt. The edges are almost as I did them. The big difference is the Practikilt is knife edge pleats all in one direction and the Utilikilt is reversed as well as the Utilikilt has a double pleat behind the apron which keeps it hanging better. I will still get a better one, but having fun for the moment.