Little holes in my UK Kilts? Silence on the UK Board

**The Wizard of BC** · 19th July 05, 08:19 PM

The other thing you may be running into is holes from the slicing machine used to cut the fabric into thinner strips from the original 60" bolt. I do this slicing too, but I don't have some fancy machine that does it at 20 yds./min. I rember seeing something like this at the UK factory and thought it was a good idea at the time but everything I tried to duplicate the process left the same lines of tiny holes where the tension wheels are.
Don't know this is your problem for a fact, but seems likely from the process used at UK.

**Riverkilt** · 19th July 05, 09:41 PM

The holes do look like they were put in by some kind of automatic machine, but it doesn't make any sense how they ALL come to be right on the crease of the pleats and are all in a straight line with one another...same level.

Almost seems like it would have had to be done to a finished kilt rather than when it was still in parts.

Thought it might be some rig used to show the sewers where to put the pleat seams...

So weird that UK HQ is still quiet about this most curious part of their workmanship.

Ron

**The Wizard of BC** · 19th July 05, 10:06 PM

Are the lines of holes parrallel to the hem or vertical along the pleat edges?

**Riverkilt** · 19th July 05, 10:19 PM

Parallel to the hemline/beltline/waistline on the edge of the pleats. One row about 3" above the hem, another row about 9" above the hem (6" between rows of holes)

The holes are equidistant apart all around the kilt on my basil and tan survival. Some on my caramel workman's, none apparent on my black workman's, none apparent on my tan or camo originals or blue denim, none on the three mockers, and not on the brown leather.

Would like to know where they came from and how big they're gonna get over time...

**The Wizard of BC** · 19th July 05, 10:49 PM

Yea, that sounds about right. The cutting maching that slices the fabric into long strips uses rollers with spur like tensioning wheels. It's supposed to keep the fabric spread out along the rollers as it is feed into some circular cutting wheels.
The spurs pull the fabric off the roll and into the cutters. There has to be quite a bit of tension and I'm guessing that's where the holes come from.

**Riverkilt** · 20th July 05, 07:54 AM

Okay, this off the UK board from a boardmember through Otto to Lori...

These holes are called drill holes - they're the way the pleat lines are
>marked for sewing. They're literally drilled through the fabric during
>cutting. It allows for very quick and accurate marking through very
>thick stacks of fabric. On a synthetic fiber or a blend, the holes will
>fuse and not fray at all (the drill gets hot), but on a natural fabric
>they can break fibers.
>
>You can purchase a product like Fray Check at a fabric store for a
>minimal price - it will prevent any further fraying.
>
>-- Lori

Of course I've managed to rile a UK loyalist on that board...oh well. Corporate loyalty is its own reward...

Ron

**cavscout** · 20th July 05, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

Of course I've managed to rile a UK loyalist on that board...oh well.

That's one of the things old Devil Dogs do best

**The Wizard of BC** · 20th July 05, 08:10 AM

I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.
I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.
I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.
I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.
I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.
I will not make comments about the wonders of the modern Sweat Shop Mass Production.