A question was asked of me personally so I will answer it.
The fabric I received from Gordon Kirkbright is an actual Polyester & Rayon(Viscous) blend. I did a burn test on it and the fibers seem of equal quality as that produced by Marton Mills. I also weighed the fabric and it came out to be slightly heavier than advertised. 13.7oz per liner yard at 59 inch width.
The hand of the fabric is smooth and velvety. In side-by side comparison with MM it has a softer and less "stubbly" feel. Almost as if it were brushed.
I also trust Gordon to produce EXACTLY what he advertises. He is well known for honesty in both his product and his business practices. If Gordon says he is producing a specific Tartan I am sure he is using the thread count IAW the STA.
I would trust him never to produce a Tartan from a photograph and attempt to call it by an name it is not.
Case in point; Gordon and I were talking about Tartans we thought were pretty and would like to have and I mentioned that I had seen a piece of the Hudson's Bay Tartan and fell in love with it in the HBC Store here in Victoria. As some of you know the Hudson's Bay Company is the world's oldest Company(still doing the same business), and is entwined with the formation and History of Canada. I did not wish to tread on toes over copyrights or design rights to a Corporate Tartan. I did want to be able to make a few kilts from this Tartan to honor my adopted Country.
Gordon's answer to me was that he was fully authorized to weave and sell the HBC Tartan because he is the designer and is listed as such with the STA.
So I ordered some and it is being woven onto the end of the X Marks Tartan.
Fraser & Kirkbright, Marton Mills, Lochcarran, Daglish, and all the other reputable mills provide swatches of their fabrics. They guarantee the content and quality of their fabrics.
Kiltmakers such a Rocky, Matt Newsome, R-Kilts, Candadian Casual Kilts, Kathe Lare, and Barb Tewksbury I trust to use high quality fabrics of known content and produce a first rate, quality kilt that can be worn with pride.
Quality weavers and quality kiltmakers. That's where my money will go.
Steve Ashton
www.freedomkilts.com
Skype (webcam enabled) thewizardofbc
I wear the kilt because: Swish + Swagger = Swoon.
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