What weight of fabric

**CavScout19D** · 16th April 16, 08:10 PM

I want to make my first modern/sport/utility/x-kilt ... I really don't know the proper name for the kilt. I would like to make it out of camouflage material because I was i the Army. So far I've found fabric by the yard on eBay with weights anywhere from 6 - 7.5 oz per square yard. Would any of those be suitable for making a kilt? Are there other sources I could look at for reasonable price fabric? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

**The Wizard of BC** · 16th April 16, 09:13 PM

First may I ask which Camo pattern you are looking for?

In general, fabrics suitable for kilts are usually in the 13-15oz range. But then it depends on how the fabric is measured and weighed. There is no standard or accepted way for weighing fabrics. Each mill or seller can use what ever method they think will sell their fabrics.

For example, the fabrics I use for my solid and camo kilts can be listed as 7.5oz up to 14oz depending on the seller. But if I put the same square yardage on a scale they are less than 1oz different.

If I use the same weighing method that we use for Woolen Tartan fabric these fabrics weigh 13oz.

This weighing method for kilt wool is to weigh, in ounces, a piece of fabric 60 inches wide by 36 inches long. Or 2160 square inches. If this piece were to be in 16oz weight fabric it would weigh 16oz or 1 lb.

**Oberu** · 16th April 16, 11:08 PM

What sort of climate are you in Sir? I've known a few folk that have gotten some heavy weight setups because they wanted to go all out and they get warm I'll tell you. Anyway, my two cents for their worth.

**Tarheel** · 17th April 16, 05:43 AM

Received your PM. I have not made a kilt (intimidation, time and laziness issues). The material you cited on your other thread, and clarified in this one, I've seen made into a kilt. A number of bikers I know have utility kilts in the heavier fabrics (imagine canvas drop cloth for painters). But a few men have light weight kilts made for them to wear while at the rallies. The reason being, the heat plus humity, grime and rowdiness of these individuals.
Their kilts are usually box pleated, two side pockets, one inner (hidden) pocket and an optional small front pocket instead of a sporran. The fabric is so affordable that it can be thrown away if the kilt is damaged and a replacement made cheaply and quickly.
I think most of us here will recommend looking into a fabric that will last longer and be more durable.

One option that has been offered before (other threads concerning light weight fabric) is sewing a lining to the material you use. The weight is increased and gives more substance to the kilt.

**ratspike** · 17th April 16, 08:38 AM

Pretty much any popular military/tacticool camouflage pattern is going to be available in nyco ripstop, which is generally listed as 6.5-7oz. It's the same fabric your ACU's were made with and will sew up into a really nice kilt. If you're thinking UCP, it's easy to get and not expensive. In fact, here's some right here! I've used that seller many times over the years and have always been very happy. You'll occasionally see twills or poplins, and in the case of A-TACS poly/cotton, but generally speaking nyco ripstop is the only choice in fabric that'll work for a kilt.

In addition to the ebay store I linked to, you might also check out RRT Trading Post and Outdoor Camo Connection. Rocky Woods is the only retail vendor I know of that's worth considering for camouflage fabric, and a great source for things like velcro and webbing.

When you get ready to start sewing, it's important to remember that camouflage patterns are often directional. AFAIK, of the current patterns that are popular right now Kryptek is the only one that's multi-directional. What this means is that if you want your kilt to look right, you'll need to cut the fabric selvedge to selvedge, then sew the panels together to get your length of working fabric. There's nothing as sad looking as up and down Multicam.

Make sure to color match your thread and any velcro, webbing, or hardware too.

When I was still making kilts for other people, my customers were almost exclusively military so I've been around this particular block quite a few times. Feel free to hit me with a PM if I can be of any help.

**Tarheel** · 17th April 16, 01:32 PM

Thanks for the input ratspike. I feel our new cavscout need you all along as a guide.

**CavScout19D** · 17th April 16, 04:00 PM

Thank you for your help Tarheel, Wizard, Oberu and Ratspike. I am excited to get started. Ratspike, I recently received some samples of fabric from three of those sellers. I'm going to need to look into Rocky Wood as well. Are there any recommended sources of solid canvas?

**ratspike** · 17th April 16, 05:51 PM

If you have a Joann store local to you, their canvas is nice and perpetually on sale, though it's not the greatest selection of colors. If you're gonna order online I'd hit up sellfabric.com. Their canvas doesn't come in a very wide range of colors but what they do have is, IMO, nicer looking than Joann. You might also check out their poly/cotton twill, which I think is a much better choice unless you really want a 100% cotton fabric. It's less expensive, lighter, faster drying, super durable, comes in about 50 colors, and you can easily get away with never having to iron it.