A stitch across the bottom of the fell?

[The Wizard of BC]

Is this the sort of line you are describing?

You can see a line of machine stitches just below the Yellow stripe of the Kilt.



If this is indeed the line you are describing then yes, that is the Steeking line on a machine sewn Kilt.

This is one of the most important elements of any well made Kilt. It cannot be skipped or omitted if you want the pleats to remain parallel and to hang straight.

Because I machine sew my Kilts the Steeking line is visible on the outside.

In a hand-sewn Kilt the Steeking is done from the inside and is not visible.

[Barb T]

Hard to know what will happen if you remove the line of stitching on the outside. I was taught to put the steeking invisibly on the inside, and it's rare to see a hand sewn kilt with the steeking on the outside. But steeking has a purpose, and it helps stabilize the pleats at the bottom of the fell. Removing yours might not be a good idea. I think I'd just leave it and consider it a part of the kilt as it was made by the kiltmaker.

[vorpallemur]

Because I machine sew my Kilts the Steeking line is visible on the outside.

In a hand-sewn Kilt the Steeking is done from the inside and is not visible.

Is there a reason you don't use a blind stitch (a #103 stich) for this?

[Kiltman]

I'd just leave it as it is. Having repaired several kilts I can tell you that they all are a little different. Barb's book tells you the best, most tailored way of doing it. But since you use it for casual purposes I'd just leave it as it is.