Steeking Question

[gsmacleod]

Thanks Steve!

When I got the kilt, I did the stretch test, which saw very little stretch and stood up the fell, which it did but not well. Based on that, and how the fabric felt, I assumed that there was a stabilizer, interfacing and had cut out pleats.

Based on your post, I checked and it seems the pleats are not cut out. I don't know whether the steeking was original or added after the fact from what you've said, I don't need to worry about it.

As to why it failed, the thread seems rather cheap and I've checked when I'm wearing it and there doesn't seem to be much stress in that area so I don't know.

Thanks, as always, for taking the time to provide a detailed explanation.

Shane

[Barb T]

The lining typically covers up the steeking, so I'm having a hard time visualizing this. If you haven't taken the lining off, how do you know that the steeking has let go? Are you sure that it's not just the stitches that sew on the lining that have let go?

Maybe you could post a pic of what your kilt looks like where the steeking has let go so we can see what you're looking at? That way, we could help you better.

[gsmacleod]

Thanks for weighing in Barb, I'll try to get some pictures when I get home.

However, I'll try to explain why I believe there was steeking and that it has failed in at least one place. In most pleats, if I gently reach up in the pleat from the fell, I can feel where there are some stitches holding the fabric together. I, perhaps mistakenly, assumed these were steeking stitches and in two adjacent pleats, these stitches seem to be broken. It didn't appear to be the stitches holding down the lining, however, I may have just jumped to conclusions and not checked that closely enough.

Thanks for your thoughts, I'll check when I get home and if it's not the lining stitches, I'll get some images to show what I'm seeing.

Shane

[gsmacleod]

Maybe you could post a pic of what your kilt looks like where the steeking has let go so we can see what you're looking at? That way, we could help you better.

Barb,

So I had a look when I got home and here's what I noticed from the outside of the kilt.

Here, there is stitching right at the bottom of the fell:


But, a couple of pleats over, the stitching has let go:


But when I flipped it over to look at the inside, which I didn't even think to do earlier, here's what I found :





So it would appear the previous owner decided to add this line of stitching and those stitches are letting go.

Thanks again to both you and Steve. Next time I'll remember to look at both sides of a kilt before jumping to conclusions!

Shane

[Barb T]

I suspect you are right that they were added later - steeking is normally hidden under the lining. I'm curious why the previous owner thought it was necessary.