First Time Kilt Help

[MacBean]

I just got my new casual kilt back from alteration at Burnetts & Struth, and have a really, silly question. The pleats are sewn together at the bottom: is this just for shipping and should I remove them? The front has a small bit of wrinkling from the shipping; how should I press this best? OK, that was two questions.

I must say they have been helpful and friendly through my confused purchase and alteration; I have to recommend them highly. I might normally have bought from USA Kilts as I am in the same town as they, but Burnetts & Struth had a real deal on ancient MacBean casuals.

[kiltedsawyer]

I'm sure it will only be minutes before you get the same advice from many, however, press any wrinkles from shipping before youremove the basting stitches. Then remove the basting stitches holding the pleats in line, (they are only there for shipping purposes. Congatulations on your new kilt!

All the best,
David

[MacBean]

thanks David...that was easy...

[KFCarter]

You'll find that hanging your kilt up and hitting it with a clothes steamer periodically will do wonders to relax the wrinkles that come from normal wear. If you don't have a steamer, I'm told that hanging your kilt in the bathroom when you take a steamy shower can do the same trick.

[ForresterModern]

Press any wrinkles in the PLEATS before removing the basting stitches which are just holding the pleats in position for transport. Make sure the thing fits right around your waist and hips before removing the basting, however, as if it does not fit you will want to leave the basting in when you send it back for a refitting. If the only wrinkles are in the Aprons you can usually iron those out with a good steam iron by flipping the kilt inside out and placing a bath towel on top of the kilt, which should be on top of your ironing surface. Iron the aprons smooth throught the towel with lots of steam, then hang that baby up to let it set up as the steam cools and dries. Repeat as needed. If you need to iron the aprons leaving the basting stitches in helps to make the rest of teh kilt a lot less unwieldy, so iron whatever you have to, make sure it fits and looks good, then remove the basting.

Enjoy. B&S make a nice casual kilt. I have one in Weathered MacDonald.

[Standard]

You've already received all the advise you need on the basting stitches, so I'll just add congratulations on your new kilt. Wear it with pride.

[MacBean]

(knocks himself upside the head)... OK, it's like a sack of rice; undo it on one end and the whole baste stitch comes off in one fell swoop (whatever that is). I was going at it with a magnifier and stitch cutter. I will say that the weaving looks fine under a magnifier!

I have a tweed kilt jacket, but for fun, tried on all my other jackets. Colorwise, I really liked blue blazer with ancient MacBean, so maybe I'll get one of the old blazers converted. I wonder if the slit in the back middle matters for a kilt jacket?

[RB51]

I think you'll find that the single vent at the back will gape open when the jacket is converted. When I had one done the tailor closed up the single vent and put in two, one on each side of the back. Looks and hangs much better now.

Laurie

[Highlander31]

You've already received all the advise you need on the basting stitches, so I'll just add congratulations on your new kilt. Wear it with pride.

That pretty much sums up what I was going to say.

[bricelythgoe]

Pictures, my friend, pictures. Nothing happened unless there is evidence..