fabric strain

[bubba]

gib, just as an aside, once I'm done with pleating and before I add the waistband I cover the area from waist to hip full width of the kilt with fusable interfacing. This does 2 things. It takes the strain off the pleat stitching and second prevents the fabric from stretching. It's easy to apply and doesn't stretch. Best of all, it's cheap.

[ggibby]

Hallo Bubba! Almost mised ya over here...

I've tried fusible interfacing (Stitch Witchery?) to poor effect in the past. Not doubting you, but I'm trying to be a bit simpler. No waistband, just thread holding it all together.

Unfortunately, on this kilt, the fabric thickness exceeds the capacity of my sewing machine (Bernina Record 830). About 12 layers. This is an exception, I hope, as the fabric is thick on its own and the pleats are closer together than I've done in the past.
So, for the moment I have 2" blue masking tape holding the thing together, until I locate an industrial sewing machine I can use or buy super-cheap.

The more I think on it, the more I like the fusing idea. Just need something light for a lining...

The next kilt will be of much thinner stuff, and solid color. Sewing tartan gives me fits! ;-)

[bubba]

Not Stitch Witchery, that's hemming tape. You can get fusable interfacing. It's sold by the yard like fabric and it only has the adhesive on one side of the sheet. You cut it to fit the area, lay it out to cover the area, cover it with a press cloth, spray the cloth with water and hit it with the iron. I've used it on several kilts with good results. Just make sure the adhesive side is down or you have fun when it sticks to the press cloth. Ask about fusable interfacing at the fabric store. It comes on a bolt like fabric. It comes in white, grey and black.

[MDR-V300]

gib, just as an aside, once I'm done with pleating and before I add the waistband I cover the area from waist to hip full width of the kilt with fusable interfacing. This does 2 things. It takes the strain off the pleat stitching and second prevents the fabric from stretching. It's easy to apply and doesn't stretch. Best of all, it's cheap.

What a stellar idea!
I'm definitely going to try that on my next attempt!

I've noticed that the pleat stitching takes the brunt of all the strap tightening, etcetera.

Exclamation point!
[Now to quietly figure out how fusible interfacing works, and just what it is.]

[MDR-V300]

And like magic, my question is answered before I even asked it.

What a world.

[bubba]

Unfortunately, on this kilt, the fabric thickness exceeds the capacity of my sewing machine (Bernina Record 830). About 12 layers. This is an exception, I hope, as the fabric is thick on its own and the pleats are closer together than I've done in the past.The more I think on it, the more I like the fusing idea. Just need something light for a lining...

To hold the pleats like that in place you can use hemming tape, but only to bond them in place for stitching. With it being that heavy you might want to hand stitch the pleats. It'll take time but it isn't that bad. For a lining I use a lightweight close weave cotton.