MacGregor tartan alternative- Celtic Croft Great Kilts

[Aeryck]

Hello to all!

I've been looking at buying my great kilt from Celtic Croft, but am most interested in buying the PV synthetic blends because I live in Florida and it's hotter longer in the year than it is cool. I'm not so much interested in the homespun because I worry about the fraying/snagging of the yarn, as well as I'm not interested in paying a lot more money for the higher wool as I stated about the weather.

So my question is that I'd like it in my clan tartan of MacGregor, but it seems that the PV tartans do not come in that. Are there any suggestions for an alternative? The idea of it being UNDER $300 is a definite must for me, as well, if there are other sites and/or suggestions for the tartan material. As well as I'd definitely want the double width fabric for a truer great kilt.

Thanks everyone and I look forward to any and all advice that you may throw my way!

Aeryck

[Big Mikey]

USAKilts has Macgregor in PV, modern colours I believe.

[Aeryck]

Thanks a lot! I'll check them out, then.

[Aeryck]

I did find some cool blue and black plaid at the local fabric store for $12.99 that I snagged for a discount with a coupon. I got 5 yards and it is a nice weight but not wool. The use as a belted plaid with it seems to work fine. Eventually I'll post some pics, but I'm hesitant beaches I keep getting flagged for my posts because the mods seem to think I'm trying to advertise, which I'm not. I promise to post some so long as that's taken care of, though.

The Games are next month and I'm thinking of maybe wearing it then.

[AKScott]

Yah, I think it is everyone's first ten posts that have to be approved my a mod before the rest of us can read them. It will pass once they are sure you aren't a spammer.

You might consider "shirting flannel." Thread dyed cotton I think, my local JoAnns has it for $7.99 per yard. 'Rob Roy' was among the local to me options. Width on it seems like it was about 40 ish inches, you might have to buy double yardage and sew it together lengthwise, but it should still come in under $200 even if you pay someone to sew.

I don't know if it would be as cool as PV, but I can assure you it is a lot less insulating than 16oz wool. Likewise I have no idea how satisfactory (or miserable) cotton might be as a great kilt material.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Have you completely discounted wool? If you go with a light weight 10 oz cloth, it will be cooler than medium or heavy weight wool will be, and still come in under your $300 limit.

The STM gift shop sells Lochcarron's 10 oz reiver cloth for $60 per yard, and Strathmore's slightly heavier 11oz weight for $65 per yard.
http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/light_weight.html

So if you go with the Lochcarron cloth, that's $240, with free shipping. Plus this cloth is 59" wide (Strathmore's is 60" wide), meaning you'd have plenty of width for wear as a great kilt.

[Aeryck]

You know, I was looking at the shirting flannel at JoAnn's, and liked the selection of plaids that they have to offer. I was just unsure of how it would work, as far as fabric weight goes, or if it would hold a decent pleat or not. But I'm very tempted to give it a try, especially since the price is pretty affordable, and even more so with the coupons they send.

[Aeryck]

I just cannot justify the price of the wool at the moment, as my finances would not allow such a purchase. :-) I have looked at the selection they have at the STM, though, and love the choices. But since I would be making it all myself, as I do with most of my clothing such as this, I would have to hold off on such an expenditure for the moment. It really wouldn't be much difference in price for me to make it from bought material than have someone else make it and buy it from them, really, even though it would be a lower priced kilt for that, anyway.

I do direct others to that site, as well as a couple of others that are advertisers here, though, when I'm asked.