Quote Originally Posted by ChattanCat View Post
I think that what you have shown looks wonderful. For the pleats and keeping them straight, you might want to try sewing an inch. Repositioning the kilt an inch to keep it on top of the leg and tuck it back under the leg. Pull the pleat tight again with the right hand and with the left pinch and pull where you are going to sew. Then release the right hand and grab the needle to do another inch of sewing. Works for me but it is a bit awkard crossing the arms.
Thank you, and thanks for the tip.

However, I found myself unable to do the whole "cross your legs and sew at your knee" scheme that you and Barb T describe. Aside from the issue that Barb mentions in her book (I'm not overweight, I'm undertall!) there's the whole thing about eyesight. . . I'm extremely nearsighted, and none of my three current sets of glasses (general, reading, computer) allow me to see to stitch that precisely at that focal length.

My best stitching is done without glasses and the fabric held under my nose which meant no stretching of fabric, hence some pleat issues.

Next time (yes, there's already fabric for a next time!) I'll try using a big, maybe 8-inch magnifying glass I have that clamps to edge of table. But I still have to figure out some other way to hold the fabric taut.

Sigh. Being the blind, arthritic kiltmaker of Clan MacWerner is not all fun and games! But the flat bits of the kilt do look wonderful, it's just the pleaty bits that suffered, and anybody who wishes to inspect his rumpus at close quarters must get past me first!