Knife vs Box Pleats

[Bart_In_A_Kilt]

OK. Got 14 yards of Tartan, and Barbs book is ordered and on its way....

So why am I being encouraged by some members to box pleate rather than knife pleate my first kilt?

I don't understand the significance of one over the other, except the physical differences. Is one more authentic? Does it pleate better? hold the pleate better? hang better? Swing better?

I'm just to new to this kiltmaking hobby to know the subtlties.

Since this is my first Kilt project... and maybe my only one, I'd like to know what people think and to have list members weight in on this.

Many thanks,

Bart

[Rex_Tremende]

I'm guessing someone encouraged you to consider your options, if you were open to them, with readily available instructions from BarbT and her collaborator and fellow helpful contributor Matt. I think the best thing for you to do is to try what you had in mind - which of course you can change at any time. With that much yardage, you can probably do both.

You know you're going to have to keep a camera handy to document your progress, right?

Regards,
Rex.

[be da veva]

Usually, a box pleat will use less material than a knife pleat. About half has much in fact. so, with fourteen yard (if double width) you could make 7 box pleat kilts or 4 knife pleat kilts (if you use only 7 yard per kilt, which is not that much, unless you go for shallower pleats)

Then again, some here have better knoledge than me and will answer soon enough... ;o)

Have fun....

Ooops, I've counted 4 yards instead of five for the box pleat kilts... my bad...

[Tartan Hiker]

Since I was the one that brought up the box-pleat option....

Read Matt's articles on box-pleating (I added the links to your other post). That will answer most (if not all) of your questions.

After you spend more time on the board you'll see that a number of us have become "converted", if you will, to the box-pleat. With approximately the same amount of material front and back, it is more balanced (noticeable both sitting and standing), cheaper to make (as it takes less material) and is indeed an older style....thus it cannot be accused of not being a "real" kilt by the less informed. I've made both box and knife pleated kilts in 16 oz. wool. I look forward to making at least a few more, but unless I suddenly find myself joining a pipe band (not bloody likely) they'll all be 4-yard box pleats. Warm enough for winter wear, cool enough for the summer months, comfortable when walking, swish factor enough to turn heads. I'm sold.

My original intent was to make sure that you were aware that there was this neat free downloadable guide that is the companion to the book you purchased, and since you didn't mention that you had this bodacious hunk of fabric, I wanted you to know that there were some less costly options as a first-time kilt maker.

[Howard Clark]

They are simply different animals. I like the four yard box pleated kilt better in warmer weather, and find them easier to manage in general with sitting. They do tend to wrinkle easier, and so look less crisp more quickly than does an eight yard knife pleated kilt.

The knife pleated one is what most people think of when they hear the word "kilt", and is generally more common. They are really nice for cold weather, and they do swish better.

I like both. One more eight yard knife pleated kilt, and I will have an even number of each.

[Bart_In_A_Kilt]

OK... then lets see if I have this right.

Since I purchased a blended medium weight tartan, ( not wool )and have the yardage, I'm better off with the 8 yard knife edge pleaded kilt.

Had I purchased the heavier material, my options would have been opened to both Knife or Box, with Box being lighter weight and more balanced, constructed of less material ** read economical**, yet still authentic.

BTW, I bought the 14 yards ( not dbl but single ) so I would have enough for a full kilt and a fly plaid. and probably some left for other accessories.

[Tartan Hiker]

OK... then lets see if I have this right.

Since I purchased a blended medium weight tartan, ( not wool )and have the yardage, I'm better off with the 8 yard knife edge pleaded kilt.

Had I purchased the heavier material, my options would have been opened to both Knife or Box, with Box being lighter weight and more balanced, constructed of less material ** read economical**, yet still authentic.

BTW, I bought the 14 yards ( not dbl but single ) so I would have enough for a full kilt and a fly plaid. and probably some left for other accessories.

Given all the details above, I would agree with your decision.

[Pleater]

I too would advise that you use a longer length of any medium weight fabric - the box pleated kilts look better in something with a bit of gravitas - otherwise they could get a bit skirtish looking.

A box pleated heavyweight kilt looks very suave - and a double box pleat gets a double 0 rating, from me at least.

Now you need to decide if you are going for a continuous run of knife pleats or one of the Kingussie (mirror image) styles.

Anne the Pleater

[Tartan Hiker]

Now you need to decide if you are going for a continuous run of knife pleats or one of the Kingussie (mirror image) styles.
Anne the Pleater

Geez, Anne...don't confuse him again! He just made a decision and now he's got yet another option!

[piperdbh]

And with single width tartan, you'll have to seam two pieces together to make a fly plaid.
I'd encourage you to check out Matt Newsome's blog entry about his half-plaid. It looks a lot like the belted plaid, of feilidh mor, but is not attached to the kilt, and looks good with either box- or kinfe-pleated kilts. Since you'll likely have a bit of fabric left over, that might be a nice option. (I'm stitching mine up on Thursday.)
By the way, what tartan is it?