My first X-kilt!!!!

[RK-REX]

I'm guessing there's a mismatch in the bobbin tension and the upper-thread tension on your machine. Try adjusting the upper-thread tension and sew a few lines of stitching on some scraps. It also could be to some 'stickiness" of the fabric so that the needle/thread don't pass through smoothly.

That puckering is not normal. If the ironing takes it out and it stays out, then no worries.

The smaller box pleats look good!!!

I've done a bit of research today and it's one of three things from what I've read in order from most to least likely.
-Upper thread tension too tight.
-Stitches to short for this fabric.
-Characteristic of the fabric. (unlikely)

Going to mess with the settings and start ripping if I get a chance tonight. I've got a meeting to attend this evening, so I may not get to it until tomorrow. Well, maybe when I get home if it's not too late, I'll experiment with the thread tension.

[Tartan Hiker]

Your stitches look very small. I'd suggest adjusting the tension and reducing the number of stitches per inch. The pleat edges aren't taking any significant strain, so you don't need to pack the stitches too tighty.

Also, you'll save time by not trying to mark the edges and following the marks. When sewing pleat edges I keep the edge of the pleat even with the edge of the machine's foot. That spaces the stitch line just the right distance from the edge of the pleat. If your foot is too wide, use a sharpie and mark the right spot on the foot. With practice you can zoom right along, and the stitch lines will be straighter if you speed up. This will save you loads of time and produce a better-looking job.

[RK-REX]

FINAL SCORE:
Rikk & his X-kilt: 0
Walmart fabric of unknown thread content: 1

I spent a good two hours playing around tonight, tried everything possible. Upper and lower tensions, new needle, different size needle, stitch length, foot pressure.....no dice. Pucker, pucker, pucker. So I had some fabric of a similar weight that I'd used to make some flashes with. Folded it over, set all the settings back to "normal" ran a line of stitches down each side of a faux box pleat. Perfectly straight. (Insert lots of vulgarity and profanity here!)

I'm going to venture up to Joann's tomorrow night and buy something decent to sew start over on. At least I'll be a bit more experienced at the calculations and the layout. Once I'm back to the sewing part, I'll pick back up with this thread.

Be warned, before you take the time to layout and start sewing your X-kilt out of an unknown, cheap fabric, buy a sample of the fabric and try sewing it first. It may be like my "EX"-kilt fabric and have a mind of it's own.

[The F-H.C.A.G.]

AWWWW, man!!! That sucks! I feel your pain. Post the next attempt please.

Be well,

[Erisianmonkey]

I spent a good two hours playing around tonight, tried everything possible. Upper and lower tensions, new needle, different size needle, stitch length, foot pressure.....no dice. Pucker, pucker, pucker. So I had some fabric of a similar weight that I'd used to make some flashes with. Folded it over, set all the settings back to "normal" ran a line of stitches down each side of a faux box pleat. Perfectly straight. (Insert lots of vulgarity and profanity here!)

Rikk, my guess on your fabric is that there was some stretch in it that you didn't notice. It isn't actually hard to miss in some of the wallyworld fabrics. I bought some really nice olive fabric awhile back that felt really nice in the store, but when I got it washed and was getting ready to cut it, I found out it had a stretch in one direction. I cussed so loud the cats wouldn't come near me for days.