Ironing a Kilt

[denmcdough]

I'm sure must XMTS members have had to iron their kilts. My experience has been this: my wool kilts, when wrinkled, I don't even iron them...just hang them up, and the weight of the material seems to make everything just right. And, if I really want to speed up the process, I take the kilt into the bathroom, when I take a shower (do NOT actually take it into the shower!!), and hang it on the towel rack. The steam from a good, hot shower does the trick. Of course it's on the kilt hanger. Dah!!!

So far, I've had great luck with this. However, if you have to iron it, do NOT place the iron directly on the wool material....use a tea cloth, which is thin, and use the iron to steam through this. That way you won't burn the material or make shine spots!

Now, with acrylic, I have little luck doing what I just mentioned. I usually have to put the iron on low heat and iron out the wrinkles. It seems like acrylic wrinkles more frequently than a good wool kilt. I don't own PV, so I can't say how that is.

Any comments from others, on how you do it? Give your advice!!

Thanks!

Den

[BEEDEE]

It's in the Tutorials section: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ng-kilt-26550/

Brian

[Pleater]

The wool is actually absorbing the moisture in the air or steam and that plumps out the wrinkles, just like all the face creams advertise.

The man made fibres, in general, do not absorb the moisture and so the same treatment doesn't work.

I have kilts which contain acrylic and others which are cotton. These need to be ironed - on the inside of the fabric, first I do the lower edge flat, and at the lowest possible temperature that will have an effect. I find that spray starch is useful and helps to extend the time between ironings.

Once the lower part is smooth I fold the pleats in and pin them. I mark the lower edge with a few stitches of contrasting thread where the folds should be during the making of them. I can then iron the pleats - first up from the hem and then down from the waistband. I work on the inside of the kilt whenever ironing.

Once the pleats are right I press the outside, using a dry pressing cloth, as even with a metallised ironing board cover the full effect doesn't penetrate all the layers.

With my iron the steam setting is for temperatures above those used for ironing acrylic - however steam has little benefit for acrylic fibres but the temperature can make the fibres alter and the fabric go very thin and floppy.

Anne the Pleater

[Riverkilt]

Steamers get rid of wrinkles in wool and polyviscose in a heartbeat. A dream tool. Buy a good one, you'll use it a lot. I finally settled on Jiffy Steamers. Bought an E Steam for travel and a floor unit for home. Works on most shirts too. About all I iron anymore is handkerchiefs.

For cotton kilts hang weighted clips from the bottom of each pleat while it hang drys. The pleats will dry looking great.

If you insist on ironing, don't use an ironing board. Put the kilt on the floor and arrange the pleats properly, then iron while its on the floor. That tip came from Ham.

Trying to iron a kilt on an ironing board is like a wrestling match.

STEAM STEAM STEAM

[pdcorlis]

Too right brother Ron. I picked up a floor steamer a few years back - it does wonders for a Kilt. Best kilt care money I've ever spent.

[Chas]

I do not want to be nit-picky, but strictly speaking kilts should not be 'ironed' - they should be 'pressed'.

Ironing involves moving the iron around, with the inherent danger of warping the fabric so that it is permanently out of shape.

Whereas pressing involves steam and pressure.

You can only steam a kilt so many times. Eventually, it will need pressing if you want knife edge pleats.

Regards

Chas

[creagdhubh]

I iron and press my kilts with a high-quality steam iron, made by Rowenta. I use a damp pressing cloth when pressing the pleats. I also iron the front apron when it needs it. I have had no problems and I more than likely will never take my kilts to the dry-cleaners, as I do not trust anyone else with the care and maintenance of my kilts. I do, however, take my tweed Argylls to the cleaners.

[Pleater]

The OP was asking about acrylic kilts - they need to be ironed gently as the low temperature doesn't penetrate the layers of pleats.

Ironing smooths all the fabric in the lower pleats, then you press - under a dry cloth, so that all the visible fabric is smoothed.

Just pressing will look fine, when the kilt is on a hanger, but there will most likely still be wrinkles within the pleats.

Damp pressing is absolutely fine for wool, but it will ruin acrylic if it is done hot or have only a slight effect if done cool.

Anne the Pleater