How do you break in a UK Workman? - X Marks the Scot

ChubRock · #1 07-06-2009, 10:57 PM

Hello Rabble!

I just received my UK Workman's model. Before I wear it I want to break it in a little and wash it so it is formed a little better.

I found an older thread http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...utilikilt+care that talks about hanging and using clips to keep the pleats from curling. I am wondering if anyone else has washed, ironed, hung, etc to break theirs in.

ChubRock

Riverkilt · #2 07-06-2009, 11:24 PM

I use weighted clips on mine...saves ironing for sure. Pulls the pleats tight as they dry. Hung three hangers from the shower rod and clipped the kilt to the hangers - the kind you get at WalMarche' or another big box store. Look for the bags of extra clips near the hangers. I'd use five clips on each of three hangers. Get half ounce fishing weights and duct tape one to each side of the extra clips. Then just clip the weighted clip to the bottom of each pleat. No curl, no iron.

As for breaking in....good luck...some tough fabric. Reccomendation that I followed is to use UNSCENTED Downy and wash it at least six times in a row.

I also let mine soak overnight in the washing machine in unscented Downy and water before washing it six times.

That'll help some. But the only answer is to wear it a lot...

Ron

SteveB · #3 07-06-2009, 11:57 PM

My Utilikilt Workman has been subjected to all the abuse that construction sites can give it, plus the yard work, and other endeavours that tax most fabrics. Washed and hung along a pipe with weighted pleat clips. Still solid as a rock. After drying I have fastened the snaps, and it can stand up on its own. The hammer loop handles my long Eastwing framing hammer without complaint. Pockets have withstood all kinds of stuff in them. Still no sign of wear. I will beat it into submission at some time, but like how it takes my abuse each day. BTW, if you should get hit with some nice wet mortar, and it dries, just break it up with a sledge, it will come off the kilt. Remove the kilt first and lay it out on a hard surface, before swinging the sledgehammer!

Slainte

ChubRock · #4 07-07-2009, 12:11 AM

Ron I like your idea of clipping versus lying flat. With a 50" waist I might need to take off the shower curtain completely to get it to fit.

Steve, the sledgehammer thing is killing me. I bought tough because I wanted tough. Maybe the UK will make a man of me after all. Tomorrow I plan on climbing up and down a ladder between 40-60 times, hammerdrilling 3" holes 8-12" deep and then I'll check email. Should be an eventful day in the new workman pre-washing.

gregdean13 · #5 07-07-2009, 05:14 AM

wear the hell out of it...I have had one of my workman for about a year..every day wear working in Iraq...it still stands on its own...it is the armor kilt...unwashed the pleat points will even hurt the back of your knees...

sdc · #6 07-07-2009, 06:01 AM

I've also done all of the above, and one of the things that was suggested to me was to run it through the dryer (after it had already hung to dry) with a number of tennis balls to soften it up; it certainly SEEMS a lot softer and more comfortable now.

ChubRock · #7 07-09-2009, 02:50 AM

OK, so if I take it to Iraq, get some mortar on it, beat the mortar off with a sledge hammer, soak it in scent-free fabric softener, wash it gently six times, hang it on a pipe to dry with clips on the pleats, and throw it in the dryer on cool with tennis balls it might not feel like I am wearing a sandwich board on my arse? Great advice, the dog is not going to like the taste of Downy on his (tennis) balls.

ScottEPooh · #8 07-09-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChubRock

OK, so if I take it to Iraq, get some mortar on it, beat the mortar off with a sledge hammer, soak it in scent-free fabric softener, wash it gently six times, hang it on a pipe to dry with clips on the pleats, and throw it in the dryer on cool with tennis balls it might not feel like I am wearing a sandwich board on my arse? Great advice, the dog is not going to like the taste of Downy on his (tennis) balls.

Owning a UK WOrkman's that I bought used about 3 years ago, I would have to say that you will probably have to do all those things. Mine has been camping, working and traveling with me for that time and can still stand on its' own.

Tony Miles · #9 07-09-2009, 12:54 PM

its like Carhart overalls - you'll wear holes in it before it "breaks in"

JelicoCat · #10 07-09-2009, 10:34 PM

My workman gets well used and a year and a half later is still hasn't been broken in. I agree with every one else. It is meant to be rugged and tuff. I use a boat load of clothes pins to try and keep it from curling but it stills does in the front.