How to Iron a Kilt - Why Do Some Kilts Hold Pleats And Some Don't? 

When I was sewing a lot and wanted to really set an edge or pleat-I would place a metal ruler inside the kilt all the way to the edge of the pleat , place a pressure cloth(cloth diapers are great for pressing cloths) over the outside of the kilt, place iron at top of pressing cloth then push steam button and push on the pleat, move down the pleat repeating the process(also move the metal ruler as needed as well), move on to the next pleat repeat. After I set the pleats, I would iron the garment and let it cool before moving the garment. It is time consuming until you get the hang of the process but it works.

The press cloth and essentially a "pegboard" on the dining table to let the steam penetrate and escape have worked quite well for me. Thanks for the tips!

I just have a very soft white facecloth and make it damp, lay over each individual pleat, and press very firmly.

We don't have the special irons you guys have. But cloth holdings pleats for ten years is almost a miracle.

First : I strongly advice kilt owners to bast the pleats (and especially on expensive wool kilts) before cleaning any kilt (dry or cold wet cleaning). Second : understand how pleats are created from a flat cloth. They are the result of a three factors combinaison : heat (a bit), pressure (quite a lot) and steam (a fair amount). A dry cloth will need a bit more steam than a wet one, the trap here is to believe a strong flow of heat will do the job. Too much heat will remove color and transfer it on the other side. Steam's side job is to transfer heat in a manner it protects the fabric. Third : always use a damp cloth. Modern/main stream iron are fast to build heat and quick to loose heat (poor metal alloy) ; in an ideal world you would use an heat alloy "capacitor", heavy and able to distribute heat all over quite "slowly". Nowadays we have fast building irons, they can brittle the wood in no time. Damp cloth will distribute the heat and take the surplus, preventing overheating. Long enough to be put on the full lengh, allowing you to work on the stripes without having to change the cloth while working on the same stripes. Fourth : use a strong table. Mine is long enough to have a kilt fully open then put a flat towel between your kilt and the table. it will absorb the water in excess. Five : To achieve a better ironning (it works on all pleats except military rolled ones), use a small woodboard you put under each pleat you iron. Six : plan on taking your time. Ironning a kilt is a time consuming task.

I haven’t had a problem with my pleats, but found that a steamer was sufficient to remove wrinkles. So, far my pleats are still sharp, and my kilt is made of 16-ounce wool cloth. The steamer works particularly well with my tweed jacket too.😢

It depends on the yarn. Fabrics using yarn spun on the woolen system don't hold a crease the same as worsteds. A tailor's ironing table has vacuum. So does a proper steam press. You don't iron a kilt, you press it. Always use a cloth.

I need some advice for pressing kilts. Have limited with space and how it is now the best way for me now is to hang the kilt up against a door and use a hand steamer and press the kilt against my hand. At least it gets the wrinkles out.

If you have old white t-shirt that you cut the front or back off of would that work as a press cloth?

Doesnt the weight of the cloth have something to do with it ? My kilt is 20 years old and i have never had to iron the pleats. It is box pleats

I use a clapper when quilting and now it makes sense to use on the kilt as well.

How does HOE hold a crease once it's in place?