Storing a great kilt

[The Tartan Sparky]

What is the best way to store a great kilt? Simply folded, or rolled up?

[Jock Scot]

"Storing a great kilt."




Are you ready for this?

Are you really ready for this?

Are you really sure that you are ready for this?

Are you absolutely sure that you are really sure that you are really sure for this?







I heard and saw this on a train yesterday.







Ready?



Are you sure that you are ready?



You have been warned!

A chap unknown to me was wearing a great kilt--------a very unusual sight------ and his more traditionally dressed kilted friends were giving their friend a hard time over his attire --------all in good fun I hasten to add. However the punch line was devastating.



"The best best thing that you can do, Jimmy , is dig a deep hole and bury that b------- thing deep, and then forget where you put it!"

The whole carriage erupted in laughter! The poor lad couldn't help but laugh too! Thank goodness, as I was expecting WW3 to break out!


Scottish humour can be devastatingly harsh sometimes.

[figheadair]

It is simply a length of cloth. Fold it up and put it in a drawer or a box.

[Pleater]

If it is wool or mostly wool do not put it away if stained or dirty - wool can be washed as long as you treat it gently - putting it into a bath full of very slightly warm water with some gently detergent should be OK - it is how I have washed any amount of wool fabric over the years.

It can be left for some time - even overnight to gently loosen dirt or lift out stains, just do not rub or agitate - gently squeezing patting or 'ponching' - pushing water through the fabric using a sponge or cloth to push the dirt out should be just fine, then push the fabric up to the end away from the drain and pull out the plug, let the water drain, wash away any dirt at the bottom of the bath and then refill with water at the same temperature as the first filling - keep the fabric away from the taps or use a hand held shower head so the fabric doesn't get a pounding.

Move the fabric gently in the rinse water,
Rinse three times and add a cup of white vinegar to the last rinse. Wool likes to be slightly acidic, is smooths the small scales on the surface.

Let the fabric drain, turning it gently and pressing out the water - it is very heavy when wet and best allowed to drain at its own pace. I have an airer I can lay flat over the bath and gradually lift up garments or fabric so they go from draining to dripping to drying.

Getting wool clean makes it far less interesting to moths and other things that might eat it and also preserves the colour.

Once thoroughly dry the safest thing is a vacuum pack stored away from sunlight. I avoid sharp folds and also folding at the same place every time, so fold variously in 1/3, 1/4 or simply irregularly and don't make a hard vacuum.

If looked after woollen yarn or fabric can last a very long time.

Anne the Pleater