Steaming a kilt

[kilty]

I've seen a few comments on steaming kilts.

1-Why would someone steam a kilt? I would think that steam would undo the pleats or should I say make them round?

2-What is the right way to steam a kilt assuming of course that one should?

[Mael Coluim]

I use a Conair hand steamer that I picked up at Walmart for about $30. It takes out the wrinkles, creases the pleats and generally freshens it up. There has been a few threads on the subject. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

[Riverkilt]

Nope, steaming a kilt makes the pleats flat and sharp. At least for wool and polyviscose.

I used a Black and Decker Gizmo until it broke - not sure if they're around, but they also have a duck bill clamp thingie built in for pleats. Before that had a portable Stanley Steamer. Now have two Jiffy Steamers, a portable E Steam, and the big floor model.

It is MUCH easier to steam the pleats of your kilt when its hanging from a hanger than to wrestle with the kilt on an ironing board or the floor.

Steamers are also great for your wool kilt jackets.

Lots of other great uses. Have seen some infomercials for various types of steamers. So far I like the Jiffy Steamer line best because of quality. Made in Tennessee.

May not make sense - but for me steaming is MUCH better than ironing...easier....and faster.

Ron

[lethearen]

Nope, steaming a kilt makes the pleats flat and sharp. At least for wool and polyviscose.

I used a Black and Decker Gizmo until it broke - not sure if they're around, but they also have a duck bill clamp thingie built in for pleats. Before that had a portable Stanley Steamer. Now have two Jiffy Steamers, a portable E Steam, and the big floor model.

It is MUCH easier to steam the pleats of your kilt when its hanging from a hanger than to wrestle with the kilt on an ironing board or the floor.

Steamers are also great for your wool kilt jackets.

Lots of other great uses. Have seen some infomercials for various types of steamers. So far I like the Jiffy Steamer line best because of quality. Made in Tennessee.

May not make sense - but for me steaming is MUCH better than ironing...easier....and faster.

Ron

I used to have a B&D Gizmo, but my ex still has it. Hrm... I wonder if I can get it back from her. Doubt she ever uses it. I think they're no longer in production, but you can still find them in a few places, like Amazon.

[george7]

There's the steam while you shower method as well... a college student favorite.

[The Barry]

There's the steam while you shower method as well... a college student favorite.

Indeed! I use that for shirts once in a while!

[Scott West]

Lads (Ron especially): Matt is shipping my Lochcarron tank as we speak and I'm getting anxious regarding it's care and feeding (I've only had 2 SK's so far)! When hand steaming how does one "press" the pleat when the kilt is hanging vertical?

[lethearen]

Dunno about the other tools, but with the Gizmo it was pretty easy. It has a duck-bill apparatus that you open up, insert the pleat, and squeeze. Or, as B&D says:

It can also be used for pressing--either as a traditional iron or by using the creasing function to give sharp creases to pant legs, collars, cuffs, and more. Simply hang the garment on a hanger or lay it on a flat surface. Squeeze the pressing plates lever to open the plates and insert the area to be creased between the plates.

[ChattanCat]

Lads (Ron especially): Matt is shipping my Lochcarron tank as we speak and I'm getting anxious regarding it's care and feeding (I've only had 2 SK's so far)! When hand steaming how does one "press" the pleat when the kilt is hanging vertical?

Your kilt will not need pressing, nor will it need steaming for quite a while. New kilts are pressed using steam and pressure. The steam comes from, ya know, hot water. The pressure usually comes from someone leaning on the pressing iron which, is different than your home iron.

Congrats on the kilt as it will last you a life time with very little care required.

Cheers,

[Bugbear]

The Wizard of BC talks about it in his tutorial on pressing a kilt.