Cheap wool in Canada?

**The Kilted Canadian** · 24th March 18, 08:14 AM

I've been trying to find cheap/inexpensive wool tartan. I'm not picky about which, the price is more important than the pattern.
The best place I've found is out in BC, GK textiles at wooltartan.com- their discount tartan is a good price, and their tartan remnant prices are phenomenal when they have any.
Does anyone know of any places that sell similarly priced tartan? (Under $30/yard CAD)

What about non tartan wool-like a merino wool suiting? Anyone tried a kilt with something similar?

I know there is the pv out there and it's not super pricey, but I'm a little concerned about it- I'm doing a box pleat which needs a decent weight and I'm not sure the pv will be sufficient. and wool breathes in the summer and keeps warm in the winter, which is very important to me

**Liam** · 24th March 18, 10:00 AM

I would recommend GT Textiles. There remnants are likely left over from their weaving days as Fraser and Kirkbright. I have a kilt made from tartan that they produced. It is 12-13oz. merino wool.

**Steve Ashton** · 24th March 18, 10:26 AM

GT Textiles used to be Fraser & Kilrkbright from Vancouver.

Unfortunately that mill is now a brew pub and the looms are in a junk yard somewhere.

The fabric is now woven by Andrew Elliot in Selkirk.

**The Kilted Canadian** · 24th March 18, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Ashton

GT Textiles used to be Fraser & Kilrkbright from Vancouver.

Unfortunately that mill is now a brew pub and the looms are in a junk yard somewhere.

The fabric is now woven by Andrew Elliot in Selkirk.

Shoot, that might be why I got such a good deal last summer.
I had a look at Andrew's website, looks like great stuff but a little rich for my blood.
I did find a wool/poly blend at tartantime

https://www.tartantime.uk/poly-cotto...er-wool-tartan

Seems like a reasonable compromise, has anyone any experience with it? I'm looking to make a 4yd box pleat with it

**Steve Ashton** · 24th March 18, 03:26 PM

As you don't mind which Tartan - and it seems you do not care about the light weight of Poly/Wool fabrics - may I suggest you check you local fabricland or other sewing fabrics shop. They usually have some of the generic Tartans and quite often some of the Canadian Provincial Tartans in 10oz.

**Steve Ashton** · 24th March 18, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by The Kilted Canadian

Shoot, that might be why I got such a good deal last summer.
I had a look at Andrew's website, looks like great stuff but a little rich for my blood.
I did find a wool/poly blend at tartantime

https://www.tartantime.uk/poly-cotto...er-wool-tartan

Seems like a reasonable compromise, has anyone any experience with it? I'm looking to make a 4yd box pleat with it

This fabric is the Stirling line from Marton Mills.

Why not take a look at the Balmoral line from Marton Mills. 65% Polyester/35% Rayon. It is what Rocky and I use.

Here is a bolt of the Canadian Maple Leaf Tartan in this fabric.

And what it looks like box pleated.

A box pleat kilt in a light weight fabric will be about the same regardless if it is wool or poly/wool or poly/rayon.

**The Kilted Canadian** · 25th March 18, 08:37 AM

That looks pretty nice to me. How much is the maple leaf poly/rayon tartan?...I couldn't find it on their site.
I'm not sure I understand the difference between the two. I know one has wool and the other rayon, but if the two are similar, I would have thought the poly wool would be better for kilts?
And thank you, and everyone else, who takes the time help out. I am trying to learn, but it's difficult to find out this stuff...even in current year it's a slow process. I appreciate it.

**brewerpaul** · 24th March 18, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by Steve Ashton

GT Textiles used to be Fraser & Kilrkbright from Vancouver.

Unfortunately that mill is now a brew pub and the looms are in a junk yard somewhere.

The fabric is now woven by Andrew Elliot in Selkirk.

Having been a professional pub brewer for 9 years I can appreciate the use of industrial sites for atmosphere and the use of possibly unused space. What gets me though is the loss of an industry such as weaving and textiles and the discarding of great equipment. Long ago in the 60's I would go with my mom and grandmother to Mission Valley Mills in New Braunsfels TX to pick up fabric from their retail store at the mill. The old buildings are there and dormant and the equipment long gone. It saddens me but I do at least have those memories of Oma making me a vest from fabric from Mission Valley Mills. I like my beer and making it but I like the local weaving industry too, even more than the beer I think.......