Pleating a Holyrood kilt - which stripe?

[gwynng]

Hi all,

I just returned from a 3 week trip to the UK. About 12 days of that was in Scotland, what an amazing place...but more on that when I get some pics pulled together.

So -- Holyrood tartan. I lucked out and picked up a remnant of it (3.75+ yards 16 oz. double wide) in Edinburgh. Just perfect for making a kilt for myself. The salesman was very concerned that I would not be able to make a kilt out of it because there wasn't quite 8 yards, so gave it to me at a bargain price. I convinced him I would manage to work it out and make do without the last few inches of cloth.

Here's my question: Most of my kilts are pleated to the sett, and I'd like to try this one to the stripe. Does anyone have experience, or even better pics of their Holyrood pleats made to the stripe? I've only seen it pleated to the sett, and would love to see some example of the stripe if they are out there.

[MacMillans son]

The city of Sacramento Pipe Band wears Holyrood. Here is a link to them that has some pleats shots. Looks like to the grey/white stripe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEaALJc6MLc

[brewerpaul]

One thing you can do before you even set needle to thread is try variations by just picking the stripe you want and pining in a few pleats. This will give you an idea if you like it or not. I agree with MacMillans son that the pipe band is pleated to the white/grey stripe. Looking at the tartan it seems to have a single white stripe with a possibly burgundy background.. There are also white and yellow stripes close on a lighter background but I would personally prefer the single white with the darker background weave. Best of luck getting this going and post photos as you progress.

[Jon Lilley]

I'm in complete agreement with Brewerpaul, but I'd take it a step farther and pin up as many alternative as you'd like (red stripe, white stripe, color block, color boundary, etc.) Hang it over the edge of the table, step back and see which catches your eye. OK, you may find that the red stripe is what you like best, but NOW is the time to explore all the possibilities. You may even be able to get some sort of a flash out of this if you pinned carefully. Great tartan, BTW!!!

Slàinte!,

Jon

[Barb T]

I underscore the idea of standing back to look at test pleatings - but be sure that you stand back 15 or 20 feet to see the overall effect! What looks nice and obvious at 1 foot can vanish at at distance. You want to be sure that your kilt is great-looking at a distance!

[MacGumerait]

I'm in complete agreement with Brewerpaul, but I'd take it a step farther and pin up as many alternative as you'd like (red stripe, white stripe, color block, color boundary, etc.) Hang it over the edge of the table, step back and see which catches your eye. OK, you may find that the red stripe is what you like best, but NOW is the time to explore all the possibilities. You may even be able to get some sort of a flash out of this if you pinned carefully. Great tartan, BTW!!!

Slàinte!,

Jon

Gwynng , I agree with Jon . There are many possibilities . As Jon said pleating to the block is also an option .

Here is an example of pleating to the block , Montgomery Blue ( modern ) , Batley Mill , pleated to the block .




As Jon mentioned , with this method , there is a flash . The red vertical stripes appear when the kilt swishes as illustrated on four of the pleats .

Just food for thought , good luck on making your new kilt !

Cheers , Mike

[Barb T]

Gorgeous flash in the Montgomery! It illustrates what's necessary for flash - a bright stripe hidden just beneath the pleat reveal. If it isn't bright and contrasting, and it isn't directly below the edge of the pleat, it won't "flash". Only a few tartans do this really well (e.g., http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-stripe-67124/ and http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...n-flash-78526/). And you have to make sure that you don't gain lawnchair as well as flash.

Holyrood isn't really right for "flash". The only opportunity is to pleat to the solid blue block, and then you'd have killer lawn chair.