Kilt pleats are formed by folding the fabric in a consistent pattern and securing those folds through hand or machine stitching in the upper portion of the kilt to maintain structure. In traditional kilts, the pleats are carefully measured and aligned—often to the tartan pattern—before being stitched through the fell to hold their shape, while the lower sections remain free to move. The stitching reinforces the pleats and ensures they stay evenly spaced and properly aligned, with the choice of hand or machine construction affecting the durability, precision, and overall finish of the pleats.