Ripping out pleats

**Benning Boy** · 27th September 14, 04:15 PM

Barb, there's just one pleat, or maybe I should call it two, that need to be redone. The horizontal stripe of one pleat doesn't align with the two pleats on either side of it. That's what I want to fix. My thread was such a perfect match for the gray in the Eternity tartan, that even under magnification and good light I have trouble seeing my stitches. Ripping this out is going to be tedious.

By the way I put one of the gray yarns of the tartan under the magnifier, and it isn't really gray, it's tweedy, a fine black yarn twisted with a light gray thread to make a two stranded yarn.

**Barb T** · 27th September 14, 05:07 PM

It will be tedious, but you'll be so much happier when you've taken the two out and re-done them. I know that when I've done one that I'm not happy with, and I keep going, it's the first thing that I see when I look back at the kilt unless I go back and fix it.

Very cool on the gray!

**Thistledubh** · 27th September 14, 10:59 PM

I would add my favorite words of wisdom from the Knitting Community: “I have never regretted a decision to tear out my work, but I’ve been plenty disappointed by NOT doing so”. If you think you're going to see this later and cringe, take the time to sort it out, now.

**okiwen** · 28th September 14, 02:12 AM

"Ummm, you won't be happy with that." <Whoosha!> Done. Decision made, no further input given. "Well, ok. You're right of course." Two years later, that was of course a correct "decision".

**Benning Boy** · 1st October 14, 02:53 PM

I've been trying to fix the pleat mentioned at the beginning of this thread. I ripped out the stitching. (The spring scissors Steve suggested worked best.) Then cut down the underside of the pleats so there is room to get my hand into restitch the pleat. Now, as I look at the work I've done so far, I see lots of things that are wrong. The biggest problem is the way it's pleated. My pleats are the correct width and taper, however (it's pleated to the stripe) the stripes aren't centered at all well and some are a little snaky. I'm thinking it would be best to rip out all the pleats, press the fabric, and just start over, but not doing anything to the apron and the deep pleat. What do you frustrated Kampers and experts think? Starting over isn't going to ruin my reputation, I'm already the world's slowest kilt maker, so what have I got to loose?

**plaid preacher** · 1st October 14, 03:09 PM

LOL... David, couldn't win the title for the person from farthest away so now you're going for the slowest? My mind has dimmed somewhat since the beginning of August. Would it be possible for you to post a picture of your pleats? While I agree with Thistleduhn that often it is a good investment of time to fix errors early in a project, there is a lot of work in what you have so far. From 20 yards, or a galloping horse, would you be able to tell things aren't completely centred? I suspect not. I have to say not every pleat on mine is perfect.... but I think I can live with them ... mostly. Let's have a look.

**Barb T** · 1st October 14, 03:13 PM

You can always go back and take out those earlier pleats. Maybe you should bash on at this point, improve your technique on the rest of the pleats, and then decide if you want to go back and re-do the earlier ones. If you decide to do that, you can take them all out at once and only have to have the back cut out on the very last one. And, at that point, it won't seem quite so much like starting entirely over again.

**The Wizard of BC** · 1st October 14, 05:07 PM

Benning Boy,

If I may offer- For a limited time only -

The Steve Ashton (Patent Pending) W.O.T.E. "Perfect pleat every time" system.

Every pleat perfectly aligned every time. No straining in poor light. No need for expensive lighting. No special or new glasses prescription required.

Simply pull on the special W.O.T.E attachment and viola, perfect pleats.

(W.O.T.E = Wool over the eyes)

**sydnie7** · 1st October 14, 05:56 PM

I'm about ready to apply the waistband on Bob's Dutch Friendship and there are a couple of pleats. . . but short of W.O.T.E., remember the distance at which the typical observer will see your work. Put the kilt on a chair and "step away from the pleats" LOL If you can't see the issue from 3 feet away, nobody will see it. If they do, they have their face WAY TOO CLOSE to your rump and you may have problems beyond a couple of wonky pleats! ;o)