Cutting pleats in a low yardage knife pleat

[Michael A]

I have a budget 5 yard kilt from Glenisla. As was noted by Steve a few months ago, it was made to the barest minimum standard for a wool kilt. Yet, it is still made from Lochcarron Strome (as confirmed by Craig at Kilts4Less from whom I bought the kilt when I first started wearing them).

There is no steeking or canvas interfacing. The buckles are attached directly to the wool. My intent it to take the lining and buckles/straps off and finish it properly. I have some of the same fabric on order from Lochcarron, with which I intend to try my hand at a military box pleat kilt next year, so I will have plenty of left-over material from cut pleats with which to remake buckle tabs (the Glenisla has leather tabs).

But Since this is only a low yardage kilt with very shallow pleats (less than 3 yards in the pleats), is it necessary to cut these pleats first, or could I just stitch the stabiliser on, steek, then stitch canvas down without cutting then apply lining?