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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a pleated garment, and more specifically to pleated skirts or kilts, of the type which includes a foldover top waistband, sewn down pleats and a floating apron.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Pleated garments such as skirts are well known in the art and have been worn by both men and women for many years. Men's pleated skirts are best known as kilts, and are believed to have originated in Scotland. Kilts have become increasingly popular in recent years with many variations available.
Kilts are generally formed of three parts, an over apron, an under apron, and a number of pleats, which connect the over apron, the under apron, and form the sides and back of the kilt.
Kilt production requires a considerable amount of sewing, and many kilts are composed of several individual components, which are formed and then assembled into the completed garment. Simplicity of design is desired, and it is also desirable to be able to wear a kilt without using a belt, and to be able to accommodate a range of waist sizes. The use of multiple components complicates the manufacture and increases the cost of the garment. Furthermore it is desirable to have a kilt which maintains its shape throughout its useful life, which is difficult to obtain with many of the available kilt designs.
The kilt of the invention is formed from a single piece of cloth, retains its shape throughout its useful life, does not require a belt, and does not suffer from prior art problems.
A kilt is disclosed which includes a flat under apron, and a plurality of pleats forming the sides and back, with the pleats sewn down along and back from their edges. A portion of the top is folded over, and the pleats sewn together along the top and down along their edges a distance to form the waistband, with the kilt formed from a single piece of cloth.
The principal object of the invention is to provide a kilt that has partially sewn down pleats and does not need a separate waistband.
A further object of the invention is to provide a kilt of the character aforesaid that can be fabricated from a single piece of cloth.
A further object of the invention is to provide a kilt of the character aforesaid that can fit a wide range of waist sizes.
A further object of the invention is to provide a kilt of the character aforesaid that retains its shape and appearance.
A further object of the invention is to provide a kilt of the character aforesaid that does not require a belt.
A further object of the invention is to provide a kilt of the character aforesaid that has a floating over apron which provides improved operation.
A further object of the invention is to provide a kilt of the character aforesaid which has its pleats sewn down along their edges, which eliminates the need for ironing the kilt to maintain its shape.
Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.
The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the pleated kilt of the invention in a tightened position;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the kilt of FIG. 1 in a loosened condition;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the kilt of the invention prior to forming the pleats, or apron;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, with the top folded over to form the waistband;
FIG. 4A is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on the line A-A of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a plan view of the kilt in the forming stage;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the kilt in a more advanced forming stage;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on the line 7-7 of FIG. 6, and
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 in a further advanced forming stage, illustrating the angling of the pleats at the sides of the kilt.
It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative, and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.
When referring to the preferred embodiments certain terminology will be utilized for the sake of clarity. Use of such terminology is intended to encompass not only the described embodiments, but also technical equivalents which operate and function in substantially the same way to bring about the same result.
Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 to 8 of the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the pleated kilt 10 of the invention is therein illustrated. The kilt 10 can be constructed of any suitable material such as wool or other cloth, which is capable of withstanding the rigors of outdoor use. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 the top of the kilt is folded over approximately a length of four inches prior to forming the over apron, sides, back, and under apron, to be described.
The kilt 10 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 at the left includes an outer apron 11, with a panel 12 folded over and behind the apron 11 at an angle of two to fifteen degrees to the vertical depending on the pattern, and size of the individual. The apron 11 terminates at a pleat 14, which is formed by folding the kilt material, pressing a sharp edge, and then sewing back approximately ⅛ of an inch from the edge to form a line of stitching 13′, which provides a permanent pleat.
Adjacent to pleat 14 three side pleats 15 are provided, formed as described for pleat 14, and forming the left side 16 of the kilt. A plurality of back pleats 17 are provided, sixteen being shown, and formed as described for pleat 14, which continue on from a pleat 15 forming the back 19 of the kilt 10. Adjacent to a pleat 17, three pleats 20 are provided formed as described for pleat 15, forming the right side 21 of kilt 10. Adjacent to a pleat 20, two pleats 23 are provided, and with a flat panel 24 form an under apron 25.
In constructing the kilt 10, first the top is folded over to form a waistband, then the outer apron 11 is formed, then the pleats 14 are formed and sewn down along their edges,. The pleats 14 and 20 are overlapped as required to form a fan like configuration at the sides 11 and 16, to accommodate the wearer, and stitched together by a line of stitching along the top of kilt 10.
The pleats 14,15,17,20 and 23 are sewn down along their edges adjacent stitching 13′ by lines of stitching 27, approximately six inches from the top 22 of kilt 10, or ⅓ the overall length of the kilt 10.
The under apron 25 has two strips 33 fastened thereto which are preferably of Velcro material, and the over apron 11 has a complimentary pair of loop like strips 35 fastened thereto, for detachably fastening the over apron 11 to the under apron 25, as seen in FIG. 1, to fit around the waist of a wearer (not shown).
A plurality of belt loops 36 is provided on kilt 10, for engagement by a belt (not shown) if desired.
It will thus be seen that structure has been provided with which the objects of the invention are attained.