Triple box pleats?

[Pleater]

Try military box pleats - like a normal' box pleat but one 'arm' is extended so you get extra layers - just how many depends on how far you extend the arm - one box width and there are two extra layers, two box widths and you get an extra four. I don't usually do any sewing of edges - I don't sew any more than necessary to hold the kilt together at the waist, and if a hem is required these days I use the sewing machine rather than spend time hand sewing. when all the kilts are hanging up if would be difficult to tell which had the hours of hand sewing - but I have been using a sewing machine for about 50 years so I am not going to get any better now. I also join fabric at hidden folds to make up the required length. Frugality and 60 inch wide fabric tempts me to use all of it by cutting from selvage to selvage and making joins. I can usually make a kilt from three and a half yards.Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[kc8ufv]

So, something like this, Anne?

[Pleater]

There seems to be a problem with formating - I will try again.That is overlaping within the fold, not quite right.You still have the folds behind the visible panel >< , which is not right.Imagine looking down at the panel from the waistband.Make the first fold. I think you should take it right across the back of the panel as if it is only half the panel when pressed it will make a ridge. There are now three layers the width of the panel at the waist.Now the second fold can be as large as you like as it lies behind the first fold and can go on for two or even three panel widths.It makes the panel five thicknesses, but when you go on to form the next panel of pleats the long second fold from that one will give the first panel another two layers, so seven, and then the third panel of pleats could make it nine.This reduces the visible folds to the same as a normal box pleat, but puts lots more fabric into the kilt. Anne the Pleater :ootd:</p>