Anyone with an eight yard Tweed kilt, for feedback?

**jhockin** · 3rd October 18, 03:08 PM

I have a double wide length of Harris Tweed, that has been awaiting time for me to make a kilt out of it, now that I'm retired I have the time, finally.
However, most past posts seem to agree that five yards of tweed was enough..but I see some Scottish kilt shops selling eight yard tweed kilts.
I would appreciate any feed back from members that do have an eight yard "tank", made of tweed. Too much?, or very pleased?
I live on the wet-coast (west coast/ Fraser Valley) of British Columbia, which has a similar climate ( from what I saw) to the wet-coast of Scotland.
Thanks

**Steve Ashton** · 3rd October 18, 03:52 PM

I guess that would depend on the fabric. Harris is a brand name for a wide range of Tweed fabrics, not a specific type of fabric other than it was woven on one of three islands and woven on looms that do not have motor connected to them,

We gauge kilt fabrics by the 'hand' and the weight.

The weight is of one linear yard 60 inches wide. Or 2160 square inches. The usual 16oz kilt fabric weighs 16oz or 1lb per linear yard.

Can you weigh the fabric you have?

Hand is a little harder to describe. Every one feels hand a bit differently. Kilt fabric will usually be a Twill weave of tightly spun worsted wool. Some Tweeds are herringbone weave and have fibers sticking out sideways. This is called 'nap'.

Kilt fabrics are also, usually, quite supple and elastic.

Some Tweeds are almost industrial strength. This is why they are often used for overcoats and robust outerwear.

The reason you may see Tweed kilts listed as 5 yards is due to the weight of the fabric and how supple it is.

**jhockin** · 3rd October 18, 08:18 PM

Steve:
It is 16 0z. Twill Harris tweed. The "hand", to me, is much softer and the weave looser, than the kilting fabric I'm use to ( mostly Fraser and Kirkbright tartans).
It is from Harris Tweed and knit wear ( AO124):
https://www.harristweedandknitwear.c...tegory=4671885
And this is a copy of their website photo:

image.jpeg
I'll see if I can get a reasonably focused close-up photo, to post.

**plaid preacher** · 4th October 18, 08:45 AM

jhockin, because it has a plaid pattern to it, I am assuming that you will be pleating it to some sort of pattern (i.e. - stripe or sett). The think with tweed kilts is often there is no pattern and so it is just a matter of measuring the width & depth of pleats. The plaid will dictate how much material is inside the pleats, and therefore will he laid out similarly to a regular, tartan kilt.

Are you planning to pleat to the sett, or perhaps the yellow stripe?

**jhockin** · 4th October 18, 08:59 AM

Undecided so far, but likely to stripe.

**jhockin** · 4th October 18, 10:14 AM

Close-up photos (NB: placed a sheet of white paper, underneath single layer of fabric). I THINK this is a twill weave (am I correct? can experts tell, from photos?)
000_0001.jpg
000_0002.jpg

**Tobus** · 4th October 18, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by jhockin

I THINK this is a twill weave (am I correct? can experts tell, from photos?)

Yes, it's a twill weave. You can tell by the way they form diagonal lines of colour. Looks like a 2x2 twill to me.

**JScottG** · 7th February 19, 01:56 PM

Hi jhokin,

Have you made any progress on the Tweed kilt? I am considering a similar project myself and it would be great to see pictures of a tweed kilt especially one with a plaid.

**jhockin** · 7th February 19, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by JScottG

Hi jhokin,

Have you made any progress on the Tweed kilt? I am considering a similar project myself and it would be great to see pictures of a tweed kilt especially one with a plaid.

No I haven't. Got diverted with other projects ( new MOD cantle sporran, converting Harris Tweed sport jackets to kilt jackets, and right now, repurposing a Harris Tweed sports jacket into a "self-backed" tweed waistcoat.) I'll get to the kilt, one day. ;0)