Stitching the edge of pleats on a utility kilt?

[Pleater]

When making a kilt in a non malleable fabric such as cotton it pays to have the lower edge of the pleats - the hem or selvedge, sewn into a fold, even if you do not sew the edge. It makes it far easier to fold and press the pleat correctly after washing.

I use spray starch and iron on the inside of the kilt, usually when it is still slightly damp as that is easier.

I then use a pressing board, a piece of any rigid material - I use an offcut of hardboard, with a couple of layers of smooth material such as an old sheet wrapped around it to give something to pin onto.

You can then slide the board into each pleat, pin the lower edge where it is folded and get a good straight fold all the way to the fell or waistband before covering with a damp pressing cloth and using the iron.

I use perhaps four stitches to make a 'blip' in the edge of the fabric but not hinder the ironing, so it is easy to turn what is usually a whole mussed up set of pleats into something wearable in as short a time as possible.

Anne the Pleater :ootd: