Pleats and steek?!

**Highland Lassie 27** · 28th September 18, 08:24 AM

Hi everyone! I joined this forum about three years ago when I was making my wee boys firsts kilts, I had such great help from everyone! It's now time to make a new kilt for my eldest.... I remember I found a post on here that has a brilliant guide with photo of how to stitch the pleats in place before stitching properly, like a kind of cross at the bottom of the pleat? I can't remember what you called the stitch.... Can't find it now, anyone able to help?! Thank you!

**The Wizard of BC** · 28th September 18, 10:21 AM

It is possible that we are not using the same terms.

I think what you are asking about are the basting stitches that hold the pleats straight and parallel prior to pressing.

The pattern that the basting stitches takes is totally up to the maker as these are just temporary stitches that act like pins but do not leave bumps behind during the pressing stage.

Steeking is a line of stitches inside the kilt and are totally hidden.

On a wool kilt, made in the Iconic style, the excess fabric behind the Fell Area is cut away to reduce the bulk in the back of the kilt.
This means that the inner portion of the pleats are no longer supported and may distort by their own weight.

This line of stitching is hidden behind the kilt liner along with the stabilizer and the interfacing and not visible when the kilt is finished.

Can you please clarify if you are asking about basting or steeking.

**Highland Lassie 27** · 28th September 18, 03:49 PM

Basting!!!! Thank you! It must have been that, shows how little I know! I just remember it was a super post about how to temporarily stitch pleats in place, then how to measure. Much appreciated! Thank you ☺️