How can I tell if my new kilt is wool or acrylic?

**antgrippi** · 18th November 11, 05:22 PM

Hello, This is sort of related to my other post, but more specific, so I figured I'd make it a different topic. Hope nobody minds. I bought a kilt on ebay, and want to make sure I'm not ripped off. I've never held a 100% wool kilt before (which is what i bought) and am not sure what it should feel, and look like. I like the kilt, and learned a few things to look for from my other post, that I will check out tonight when I get home, but am wondering about the fabric, and how I can identify it. Thanks.

**Mike S** · 18th November 11, 05:42 PM

Steal a thread from the weave of the garment, and burn it over a candle or lighter flame. If it burns up into ash and smells a bit like burning hair, it is a natural fiber. If it melts into a charred ball like plastic, it's a synthetic fiber.

**The Wizard of BC** · 18th November 11, 05:44 PM

The absolute best way to determine fiber content of fabric is to do a burn test.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ight=Burn+test

This will give you detailed instructions on how to conduct a burn test and how to gauge the results.

**Mike S** · 18th November 11, 05:44 PM

I beatcha to it! ;)

**MacLowlife** · 18th November 11, 05:45 PM

[I was too slow in my typing...]

If there is a place you can pull a few fibres from, you can do various tests for acrylic or for wool. One of the easiest is to burn a little. Acrylic will melt and wool will smell like burned hair. Someone else can be more elaborate, but this is a good start.

To a large degree, quality does follow materials. I see you posted another question about the overall quality of your kilt. If you are satisfied that the material is high quality, chances are the workmanship will be pretty good, too. There are a million little things that you may not even be able to articulate- the quality and finish of the buckles, the quality of the leather on the straps, the number of stitches per inch, the feel of the lining. Sure, there are aspects of kiltmaking that are unique to kilts, but quality work will show regardless of the item.

The most important judge of your kilt is you. By all means, do see about having it altered to fit you perfectly. That will make you happier than any other person's opinion.

Welcome.

**antgrippi** · 18th November 11, 05:58 PM

Thanks to everyone. I will see if I can steal a couple of threads when I get home so that I can test them. My first impression was that it is in almost new condition, with the exception of the leather straps being worn in a bit, but still in great condition. it has some weight to it, and the pattern is spot on in the pleats. I don't know how easy or hard that is to do by hand or machine, but at first glance it looked good, but now I know what to check out when I get home to make sure I got what I payed for. It seemed like it had been altered once or twice, in that the length of the straps doesn't match up right when I put it on. the inner strap (sorry I don't know if there's a name for that) I can only buckle to the first or second holes, while the outer strap ( again sorry) I can pull all the way in, and if I suck in my gut a little the outer apron sags a little as a result. Should be easy to get worked out I think, I just didn't want to take the time and effort if there was anything shady about it, that would make me want to return it. Thanks again though, You guys have all the answers.