Gonna make my own...

**troxel87** · 25th September 10, 11:03 AM

I'm going to make a bit of a weekend project out of it, hopefully it'll be done by Tuesday. It seems a simple project, but as we all know, the kilt is a little more complex than it appears.

I'm going to ask the rabble though - I don't have the $$ to dole out for a length of real wool, let alone anything in any kind of tartan, but I want it to be heavy (like canvas?) and practical for every day wear (from working the garden to running to the market to going to a friends house/pub for a brewsky).

What would your suggestions be? I like the idea of canvas with a cotton liner on the inside for comfort's sake. Definitely wanting a material that can hold a pleat well - 'cause ironing is just a pain - but won't fall apart in the wash.

BTW - my weekend is from Sunday till Tuesday - I'll be going out for supplies tomorrow, God willing.

Thanks!

**xman** · 25th September 10, 11:26 AM

FYI - You can order tartan wool directly from Marton Mills for £14.50 ($23) per double width metre. That'd be about $83 for 8 yards.

**Pleater** · 25th September 10, 12:12 PM

I'm not at all sure that canvas is the thing if you want non iron - I have a heavy cotton kilt and it takes a crease well - so well that it will pick up any that are going and require half an hour of ironing to be smoothed out again.

The best material I have for not creasing is a heavy polyester cotton mixture intended for a duvet cover. It really stays unrumpled after a week's wear and I can throw it in the washing machine, hang it to dry and it is ready to wear without pressing. The pleats stay in and it is soft to the skin so no liner required.

If you can only find a lightweight material use it double. You do have to ensure that it is on the straight grain of the fabric, though, or it will not lie straight.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**CaseyB** · 25th September 10, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Pleater

I'm not at all sure that canvas is the thing if you want non iron - I have a heavy cotton kilt and it takes a crease well - so well that it will pick up any that are going and require half an hour of ironing to be smoothed out again.

I'm in the process of making my first kilt out if duck-cloth and I'm worried about this.

**troxel87** · 25th September 10, 02:00 PM

Duck cloth..? Looks like the stuff Carhart uses for their coats. Am I right? I would actually like something like that, if I could manage it... tough as nails, it is.

**CaseyB** · 25th September 10, 02:09 PM

Originally Posted by troxel87

Duck cloth..? Looks like the stuff Carhart uses for their coats. Am I right? I would actually like something like that, if I could manage it... tough as nails, it is.

Yup, that's the stuff. It is really tough and, so far, seems to hold crease really well. I just hope it doesn't wrinkle. I am putting in the stablizer now, so I'm in the home stretch. I'll post pictures when it's all done.

**troxel87** · 25th September 10, 02:10 PM

Sounds awesome. Where can you get material like that? I'm thinking Hobby Lobby or *shudders* Wal-Mart.

**Eleazar** · 25th September 10, 03:20 PM

Can't wait for pics.

**CaseyB** · 25th September 10, 03:46 PM

I got my material from JoAnn Fabrics. I'm not sure if there are any in your neck of the woods. I am making a full traditional kilt according to the instructions in Barb T.'s book. Being a larger fellow (6'7" 340lbs.) I got 9 yards double width and split it with my brother. The best thing about JoAnn's is that they always have coupons! I used a 40% off and got all I needed to get started (fabric, black sewing thread, white basting thread, wax and needles) for $35! I just made another trip to get fabric for the stabilizer, interfacing and lining and it was another $30. Can't beat a nice kilt for $65!

**Paul Henry** · 25th September 10, 03:52 PM

You haven't said what sort of kilt you are thinking of, modern or tradtional?
Canvas/Cotton duck/ type fabrics are hard to sew unless you have a good machine, and generally the pleat edge will need to be sewn on both the inside and outside.This fabric does crease , and doesn't really hold an edge without sewing, so it's hard work, but they can and do look great, normally you'd probably only use about 5-6 yards.

Woollen tartan is wonderful to work with, it's easy to sew by hand, it holds an edge really well and the creases just fall out without any problem, but it is more expensive, and it does take a lot more time and skill to complete a traditional style kilt.
I know this doesn't narrow down your options for this weekend, but decide on which style first and then go on from there, Good luck