Kilt under pleat cutting

**Rhoderunner** · 18th September 04, 06:31 AM

Good morning all from a new member. I have been experimenting making a kilt (my first came out good according to my wife) :P . I am attempting to do another and have read that the back side of the pleats from the hip to the waist should be cut off to lessen the waight and bulk. This makes sence to me BUT nowhere can I find what to do with the raw edge that is left

. Can anyone help ??

**Freelander Sporrano** · 18th September 04, 07:08 AM

Hi Rhode runner and welcome.

On my prof made kilt there is a strip folded over the top edge to finish it Have you tried that

There's a kilt board newbie section where you can tell us all a little about yourself and your kilting

All the best..... David

BTW there are many on this board that make their own.You won't have to wait long for a more detaled answer....

**bubba** · 18th September 04, 07:14 AM

Rhoderunner, what I do is cut a piece of fusable interfacing to cover that area and fuse it down over all the raw edges. It serves 2 functions. First, it takes care of the raw edges and, second, it takes any stress off the stitching since the interfacing doesn't stretch.

**Blu (Ontario)** · 18th September 04, 07:50 AM

What Bubba has described is what was done on all of my traditional kilts. Not only does this strengthen the remaining assembly, but also provides great support for back and stomach. This by itself is one of the features that makes wearing a kilt so enjoyable. Good luck with the project.

**Rhoderunner** · 19th September 04, 04:46 AM

Thanks bubba for the advice I will try it
Rhoderunner

**Canuck** · 19th September 04, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by Rhoderunner

Good morning all from a new member. I have been experimenting making a kilt (my first came out good according to my wife) :P . I am attempting to do another and have read that the back side of the pleats from the hip to the waist should be cut off to lessen the waight and bulk. This makes sence to me BUT nowhere can I find what to do with the raw edge that is left

. Can anyone help ??

If you have access to a serger, it can be a one step operation. As it cuts off it binds the edge. That's what I do.
Cheers
Robert

Deeluxkilts · 2nd August 08, 03:16 PM

just before you cut your pleats make sure you have a strong line of stitching in place holding down the pleats, this is one of the major support structures of the kilt, and if not held down firmley will just burst through wearing, then iorn on an interfacing of sorts just pleating it as you go along to keep it in line with the top of the kilt, then a harder canvis should be put on top for better support, sew on the widest part first which is at the hip line, then cut slits from the top down till the canvis lies flat, then continue to sew on by hand, same hard canvis should be used for both aprons,
good luck

**Carolina Kiltman** · 2nd August 08, 05:06 PM

If you have the time, and patience, hand whip-stitching will do the same as a serger (assuming you do not have one) I am always a little leery of the fuseable stuff as it has a bad habit of detaching itself from the fabric somewhere down the road.

Which can mean a lot of work!

**wsk** · 2nd August 08, 05:29 PM

Get and read the book? Yeah! Great idea!

The Art of Kiltmaking

**ChattanCat** · 2nd August 08, 07:57 PM

If you want to lessen the bulk by cutting out the pleats, do so down to about 1" above the bottom of the fell. After you are done, put a line of steaking about 1/2" above the bottom of the fell. Then you can add your interfacing. I usually sew my interfacing and it covers up the ratty part of where you cut the pleats. I then add a layer of broadcloth to insulat the wearer from the interfacing.