what to do with a retired great kilt

[Pleater]

Having tried out a piece of fabric as a great kilt for a while I found that, in my house at least, it's tendency to sweep surfaces clear of small items and to get caught on handles and suchlike made it impractical.

A few bits got cut off for making odds and ends, so it would have been gradually assimilated, but one chilly evening as I was reading - I wrapped it around my shoulders to keep warm.

Next day I decided to make a more formal item, something on the lines of a 'bog jacket' maybe, or a cloak if not too sweeping....

I measured my 'wingspan', and used Kingussie pleating to reduce the length of fabric to that measurement, starting centre back and using pleating to the sett. I made large pleats which resulted in the centre box pleat being wide enough to span my back neck measurement. The pleats were sewn down in places - exact measurements to follow.

I took my scissors and cut along the midline up from one edge, so I could put the two sides over my shoulders, and when I was sure I had the right length of vertical cut I then cut right across the box pleat side to side for a neck hole. I blanket stitched across the back neck, the central box pleat. The pleats could have been smaller, it would not have mattered all that much, but the one large box pleat fitted so nicely it seemed a pity to try anything else.

The edges of the box pleat at the front were left unsecured so it opened out and then the edges could be crossed over.

I had thought of cutting sleeves into it, but when I put it on I could pull the edges right around me, sit down and hold my book to read with three layers of fabric over my shoulders, which kept me warm.

Photos to follow

Anne the Pleater :ootd: