Here is the photo series, condensed into the second of two tables. Click on the image for a full-size picture. Text is below, or, if I have finished it ;-) you can click on the first picture and be walked through the process step-by-step with the full-size pictures.
Kilt Pleating 101 | Previous Page
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Now comes the fun part. You may want help, depending on how you go about it.
First, a warning: Many find it easiest to have two belts, one smaller one for under the kilt that actually holds it on, and one heavy gear belt for pouches, etc. that is strapped about the outside. This way you can drop your belt with your heavy gear, or take a pouch off of your belt, without dropping kilt and having to repleat. If you don't have two belts, you will need to load the gear onto your belt shortly, so get it ready and accessible.
Also, if you are wearing an Ionar at this point (the short, Scottish vest thing similar to what I am wearing in some of the pictures above), it's best to take it off. You don't want to belt it closed under the kilt!
Here we go. Lie down on the pleated section of the plaid so the pleats run parallel to the length of your body. Orient yourself so the belt buckle is to the normal side for putting on a belt (buckle to your left). Shift yourself up or down the plaid until the kilt ends just above the back of your knees. Faire lore (I'm unsure of the historical precedent) holds that a married man would just cover his knees, while a bachelor would show them off. Keep it close to your knees, though, halfway up the thigh is just silly looking. See Photo 13. It often helps to have friends helping here, because you can't sit up and look at where the kilt is hitting the back of your knees... your body shifts as you lay down! Only an inch or two off, and you'll be *really* annoyed with how much things change.
Now we make the "Celtic burrito", as it is affectionately known. Pull the right-hand flap over yourself like wrapping a towel. (See Photo 14) "Dog-ear" the upper edge so your arms are still free. Wrap the left side over (See Photo 15).
Straighten the bottom edge so both edges run evenly above your knees, and line the last edge you pulled over so it runs vertically up your leg, instead of off at a funky angle, which it will try to do. (See Photo 15 again) Once this front flap is even, buckle your belt. Keep the belt nice and tight, because it is about to have to support many pounds of wool!
If you're not doing the two belt thing, add all the pounches and such you're putting on your belt onto it now, because it'll be hellishly difficult later, and if you drop your pleats, you may have to start from the beginning!
Stand up. :-)
The kilt should fall down around you, with the excess pleated portion hanging down in back, and giving that lovely pleated look from behind. (See Photo 16)
The excess unpleated flaps will hang straight down in front, and overall, you will look like you are wearing a long skirt. Don't panic.
At this point, if you have one (and want to), you can put your Ionar back on. It won't really be in the way anymore.
This is where you have several options. I'm not going to attempt to cover them all here; I'm just going to give you the simplest method. An alternate is available in Kilt Pleating 101 C, but you need to finish this method first before you try to move ahead!
Double-check that your kilt is perfectly straight across your front. You'll need a full-length mirror or a friend for this, and make sure it is really straight! If it's off by as much as an inch in front, it will be noticable, because all there is in front is a straight line across the tops of your knees. See Photo 17.
Reach down and pick up the outer front flap and roll/twist it under to take up the slack until you have a small roll of fabric at waist level. See Photo 18. Roll it under, and then tuck it under your belt on your right side. See Photo 19. Pass the excess fabric under the back flap of the pleated portion, under the long pleats. Repeat for the left side. (See Photo 20).
Check out Photo 21 for the final product! (This is point where you will continue on to Pleating 101 C for some finishes you can do, before you belt anything in place.) Add the outer belt, if any. Swish your kilt back and forth and enjoy the odd sensation of the fabric brushing the back of your knees. :-)
Stand proud, Scotsman!
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