When I am making my kilts I press the folds in first, before the sewing - if Barb is destroying ironing boards by pressing after the sewing - and going through layers - that makes things clearer.

It is quite a long process as I iron the length, then press in the outer folds, making each one individually, then slowly build up the pleats and press them in from hip to hem, one at a time, then the edges of the aprons. That way I am working with the iron on just one fold isolated from the rest, and when I come to the sewing the fabric is already close to kilt shaped.

Using a sewing machine is a skill, and the quality of garment produced depends partly on the skill, but also the time and effort the maker can put into the work.

A well made machine sewn kilt could outshine a badly done hand sewn one anyday.

Anne the Pleater