Sources for kilt-grade wool fabric

[Ugly Bear]

Does anyone know of a good source for worsted wool fabric in the 13- to 16-oz weight range? (For example, www.mcrok.com)

How about the same as above, but non-tartan? (That is, solid color.)

Wool and blends are both acceptable.

Any advice is appreciated, of course.

[highlandtide]

Hey UgBear...is this for your own personal use? Just wondering. I have heard about a non-traditional kilt maker (*cough cough uk cough*) that might be in the market for some tartan material.

Not saying it is realted....just wondering though.

[bubba]

Does anyone know of a good source for worsted wool fabric in the 13- to 16-oz weight range? (For example, www.mcrok.com)

How about the same as above, but non-tartan? (That is, solid color.)

Wool and blends are both acceptable.

Any advice is appreciated, of course.

If you want to make a kilt or two for yourself check at local fabric stores. You need to kinda know what you're looking at because the clerks seldom do but you can get some very nice wool fabrics pretty cheap off the clearance and sale racks. I got the fabric for my newest kilt at Hancock Fabrics for $4 a yard and it's very nice wool and very comfortable.

[Ugly Bear]

Hey UgBear...is this for your own personal use? Just wondering. I have heard about a non-traditional kilt maker (*cough cough uk cough*) that might be in the market for some tartan material.

It's for me, no affiliation with UK. They're really considering tartan kilts? That's a pretty big departure for them.

I'm more interested in non-tartan, though. I'm leaning toward something suit-ish: solid or pinstripe. Maybe a matcing jacket, too.

If you want to make a kilt or two for yourself check at local fabric stores.

Tried that. Guess I didn't try very hard. No one would confess to having what I'm looking for.

I got the fabric for my newest kilt at Hancock Fabrics for $4 a yard and it's very nice wool and very comfortable.

Okay, this is important: EXACTLY what did you ask for a Hancock Fabrics? (That's the 1-800-FABRICS people, right?)

[Anthony]

Good morning,

This company has a good selection and price. They where recommended to me by a costumer I know. I have yet to make a purchase from them so I don't know for myself how there service is.

http://www.banksvilledesignerfabrics.com/pages/home.htm

[bubba]

Okay, this is important: EXACTLY what did you ask for a Hancock Fabrics? (That's the 1-800-FABRICS people, right?)

That's just it, I didn't ask, I wandered through the fabric aisles looking for something I liked the look of, then checked the weight and feel. Like I said, generally the people working there don't know that much about it. In the bargain aisles there isn't much organization other than by price so you have to make your own judgements. The store here has some nice wool at full price, $16 a yard, that would make great looking kilts in solid colors, but I stick to the bargain stuff. Jo Ann Fabrics here is a lost cause for this stuff. They focus more on the quilters and crafters.

[Gary]

Good luck finding heavy weight wool in the states; it is almost impossible. Pendleton Mills is OR had some heavy weight wool a few years ago. Canada and the UK are probably your best bets. I have never seen material like that at JoAnn Fabric or Hancock Fabric in KS, but in other parts of the country they may carry some. If you find some at a decent price, please, let us know where.

[awoodfellow]

and just a heads up ,, the banksville folks require a membership (though refundable) fee in order to receive swatches.

they say that have wool tartans ...... but ..... hmm .. in betwixted things, i've emailed them to learn the extent of their Tartan offerings and whether they are genuine indentifiable Tartans or general plaids. i'll pass it on as soon as i get a reply.

ambrose

[Jimmy Carbomb]

If you were down in Philadelphia, I could give you three HUGE sources for OUTSTANDING wool kilt material.

We have an area in south Philly known as Fabric Row, that is a street with upholsters, fabric shops, and wholesalers. It's not that thin stuff that you normally see in fabric stores, and the pricing is outrageous.

There's also a company with about 6 locations throughout the city, that actually brings-in the fabric and sells to the shops on Fabric Row. It's the GREATEST source for fabric at unreal prices. The only problem is that they turn-over their stock regularly, and you have to check them out constantly to get lucky. They always have tartans and solids in all sorts of materials, weights and amounts.

I'm just REAL lucky to live here and have such wonderful sources.

[Ugly Bear]

We have an area in south Philly known as Fabric Row, that is a street with upholsters, fabric shops, and wholesalers. It's not that thin stuff that you normally see in fabric stores, and the pricing is outrageous.

Well, I'm not in South Philly, so could I ask for a little more help?

Is Fabric Row a single street? Can you name some of the shops there? Can you recommend any one or two as being better for getting heavy wool?

When you say the pricing is "outrageous," do you mean outrageously good, or outrageously bad?

Thanks for the tip.