Acceptable Materials...

[Justin Timelord]

I know that traditionally, Wool is used.

What about when you are talking utility kilt, or when for instance, you don't have a hand-me-down and you're not from Scotland?

Terrible questions, but being new to all this, I'm wondering...

Is there a general rule, i.e. natural/organic materials are best used? I know it's a sensitive subject with some Scots.

Also wondering where to look into getting one of those old style kilts, before Prince Charlie came along. Wraparound highland style. This is for a roleplaying/LARPing scenario.

Justin

[Pleater]

Welcome to the forum.

That is one big question for a first post.

For a great kilt the fabric should (I think) at least look woollen, but pure wool is normally only woven 54 inches wide, which for some might not be long enough. There is the option of a 60 inch wide wool blend to give more vertical coverage for the taller re-enactor.

One problem with fabrics other than natural fibre is the weight, as they are almost by definition lighter in weight. If you do find a heavier weight man made fabric it is usually either loosely woven or rather too rigid for pleats, being intended for upholstery rather than wearing.

I have mostly natural fibre kilts, a few made from poly cottons intended for high end duvet covers I think, but the fabric does need to be chosen carefully if it is to give an authentic fluid pleat swing, and crease resistance is a factor too.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Tartan Tess]

I sell kilts for the SCA and Larp crowd.
I"push" wool (only becaue it really is the best all around fabric in my opinion)but I know that machine washing is a big plus for most people.
Whatever fabric you wind up with for you personna, make sure you know how flammable it is when you hang out around the bon fires at events

[Grizzled Ian]

Good morning and welcome,

One of the advertisers on this forum, Celtic Croft in Minnesota, weave their own range of homespun fabrics using a 55/45 poly/wool mix. My first order from them arrived just yesterday, including a Phillabeg in their lovely Brown Watch homespun. The prices they charge for Great kilts, Ancient kilts and Phillabegs in homespun, and for lengths of double width material, are very reasonable, to my way of thinking. Although it is only lightweight 10/11oz material, that weight is fine for some uses in Australia.

They will also send you out a catalogue that includes 9 pages of "thumbnails" of over 500 tartans which will be very very handy for this old brain that is not wired for carrying collections of imgaes, short-term or long-term, from the catalogues and tartan finders we encounter on the net.

Cheers,

[llyd]

I have made some really nice box pleated kilts out of cotton twill...and poly cotton twill...for the utilikilts, lighter weight duck is good...think carrhart...but the twill..particularly the type used to make the digi camo military uniforms works well...

[The Wizard of BC]

In the ten years I have been making kilts I have experimented with just about every fabric I can get my hands on. I've used about every weight of Wool available. I've used everything from Cotton Bull Denim originally intended for Stage Curtains that weighed 26oz per fabric yard, to very light weight Hawaiian prints used in aloha shirts.

I have found that the fabric really does not matter.

It is the way the kilt is made that makes all the difference.

You can make a kilt like a pair of blue jeans. Relying on the stitching to hold the thing together and your kilt will last as long as a pair of jeans.
Or
You can take the extra effort and make a kilt well and it will last and swish and look good for many years.

I've seen just about every type of kilt imaginable. I've seen the products of Pakistan and I've seen the product of some of the most respected houses. The one thing that makes one kilt better than the other is not the fabric they are made of. It is the knowledge of how to construct a kilt. They really are a different sort of garment from a pair of blue jeans.

So experiment with all the fabrics you can find. Play around with ideas and innovations to your hearts content. There are still new things and ideas to be discovered.

But also learn what makes a good kilt. Learn from those who have gone before you. Find out what makes a kilt a kilt first. Learn the trade. Pay your dues.

Then go out and set the world on fire.

Good luck. And welcome.

[Justin Timelord]

Wow an overwhelming response, which I appreciate.

@ Tartan Tess: Good advice. I do spin fire as well, so I am wholly understanding of the need to keep away from flamable/acrylic. That's good to consider about the bonfires though, especially in the colder climates.

@ Grizzled Ian: Just checked out Celtic Croft. That's just what I've been imagining! I've always been a sucker for period costume. Their selection is really incredible. I might end up going in to a shop here in Scotland though. They've probably got someone doing it here I imagine. Although, Canada and North America seem to be hot with Scottish pride these days.

@ Wizard of BC: REALLY insightful advice. Right now I'm working for a company that sells Rayon "Heavy" kilts, and polyester "light" types. Let me tell you, Rayon looks nice at first, but creases and wrinkles like aluminium foil. The acrylic doesn't look quite right and feels like plastic. I'm trying to convince them that they can do much better if they invest a small amount more money in something nicer. For starters I'm thinking of finding someone who does the "pair of jeans" type, in a better make than the cheap ones. We are designing our own tartan as well. The father/owner is Indian raised Irish, so they have similar colored flags, and I've introduced a possible tartan to him. He's into it. Bottom line is to have fun, no matter the situation.