Deep Pleats?

[elijah]

We got an order from a customer requesting "Deep Pleats" for his kilt because he said he wanted the kilt to move with him. I'm not sure I understand what he means by "deep pleats".

[bear]

We got an order from a customer requesting "Deep Pleats" for his kilt because he said he wanted the kilt to move with him. I'm not sure I understand what he means by "deep pleats".

I'm basing all the following comments on the assumption that the kilt is for a big guy, as that's your forte'.

A deep pleat depends on the sett of the tartan. If the sett is 5" wide, a normal pleat would be 2.5 inches. (One sett per pleat.) If you do two setts for each pleat, the depth of the pleat would be 5". That's a pretty deep pleat.
I have used 12 yards of fabric for a deep pleated kilt, (43"hips), so adjust your pricing as necessary.
You should also make sure your sewing machine will handle the load of that much fabric in the pleats. It will be at least a half inch thick compressed!
Hope that helps!

[Andrew]

Again I can't thank you enough for the 12 yards used in my Kilts Bear. So thanks again.
As for the deep pleats, if the guy can handle wearing all that material around him then the effect of the Kilts swinging as he walks is an absoulute thing of beauty!

[elijah]

You should also make sure your sewing machine will handle the load of that much fabric in the pleats.
<p>
Sewing machine? That's an odd way to refer to my wife.

[RockyR]

Depending on how you make them (at what point in your process you sew the waistline and all those pleats together at the top), you may be able to IRON the material before you have to sew through the 1/2 inch hick part.

Generally, I stick my hand into the pleat when it's done. If my fingers disappear, it's a pretty good depth. If my HAND disappears, I KNOW it's a good depth.

If you are using more than 7 or 8 inches of material for a .75 or 1 inch wide pleat, you should be good. If the pattern repeat is at 4", then you'll need to use every other pattern. If the repeat is at 7 or more (pretty WIDE pattern, but we do have some), then you should be good using every pattern..

Hope this helps.

[Casey]

What I am about to contribute may get creedance to the saying that a little bit of knowledge is dangerous; but, here it go's anyway.

From what I have read, if you want to be able to have total control of the pleat size and depth you can make the kilt out of plain material. Thus no sett to deal with.

OK kiltmakers let me have it!

Casey

[bear]

What I am about to contribute may get creedance to the saying that a little bit of knowledge is dangerous; but, here it go's anyway.

From what I have read, if you want to be able to have total control of the pleat size and depth you can make the kilt out of plain material. Thus no sett to deal with.

OK kiltmakers let me have it!

Casey

How can we let you have it? You're right.

Okay, you spelled credence wrong!

[Jimmy Carbomb]

We got an order from a customer requesting "Deep Pleats" for his kilt because he said he wanted the kilt to move with him. I'm not sure I understand what he means by "deep pleats".

Ooooooooooooooooookay.

In the simplest of terms...

Look at a SportKilt: no pleat depth.
Look at a 4 yard Kilt: "okay" pleat depth.
Look at a Scottish Traditional: priceless.