Great Kilt Pleats

[Spc. Scott]

You might want to check this out before sewing in your pleats.

http://albanach.org/articles.html Just go to the article about the drawstring belted plaid.

edit: it seems that Anne is faster than I to the drawstring. But the article is well worth a read anyhow. Not to mention the others the Mr. Newsome has written.

[Pleater]

Ah - the articles are the results of research and investigation, the 'how was it really done back then' side of things.

My humble offering is just how to make a piece of fabric only one third the size it was, on a temporary basis. There is no history to it, but it will get you pleats without having to fight the fabric.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Piper]

The greatkilt I usually wear at reenactments is a "cheater". The pleats are sewn in, along with a tape "belt" to make putting it on faster and easier. I also have a couple of lengths of tartan that I use for presentations on what the great kilt actually was, and how to put it on. Years ago I was shown a method of putting it on that involves pleating the cloth into your left hand, draping it over your left shoulder and securing it momentarily with your chin. Then you belt it loosely around you, and pull and arrange your aprons into place, then tighten the belt and adjust the plaid according to your needs and desires. This doesn't take long, once you get used to it. I'm not aware of any historical documentation for this method, but it seems to my mind to be a reasonable alternative to rolling around on the ground.
What we have to keep in mind is that the greatkilts of the 18th century were usually only 4-5 yards of material, depending on size of the wearer. I'm 6', 270lbs, and my greatkilt is 5 1/2 yards. I could probably dispense with the extra 1/2 yard without any problem. Also, it was likely only the more well to do, who could afford servants, who would have been dressed neatly. For the rest of us the phileadmohr was the equivalent of a work shirt and jeans. I was told that the methods that have been developed for donning the great kilt were ways to allow you to wear 4-5 yards of wool around your body for warmth, without looking like a bag of rags from the front.

[Curly]

"it seems to my mind to be a reasonable alternative to rolling around on the ground."
It sure does! I knew there had to be anouther way. A tam tilt in the general direction of this forum ...I have been here only a short time and found it to be so very useful.
BTW.....three weeks til new kilt!! Best!

[Curly]

cool....thanks for the heads up!