Fabric: A question.

[Nathan S]

Greetings, I am posting this question as I am new to this.
I am wanting to make a "Great Kilt/ Belted Plaid" and I am also a Man of Subtance, but more over I am a man of much lesser wealth, I have seen on Ebay that a seller has yards of Black Watch Tartan Fabric for sale that is in my price range but it is 100% Cotton. Would this be enough to use for a Ren. Faire in May? or would I have to go with the more Traditional yet costly Wool?

[Pleater]

I'm afraid the answer is - as usual - it depends.

If the fabric is woven from fine threads it could look as though you are wearing a tablecloth.

For a cheaper option it might be better to go for a wool blend as they are made to look more like woollen fabrics, also they tend to be woven 60 inches wide rather than the 54 inches of all wool fabrics, so it covers more for a larger man.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Micah]

I don't know your budget limitations but you can generally pick up
some p/v material for about $20.00 a yard in double width.
much nicer material.

[MacLowlife]

Saying a fabric is cotton is a little like saying a metal object is aluminum. Is it aluminum like your truck tool box or is it aluminum like a Budweiser can? Cotton denim or canvas might work for a great kilt, but cotton lawn or oxford cloth probably wouldn't. And there are a hundred other all cotton fabrics in between. The good news is Black Watch gets woven in lots and lots of weights and blends Can you get a sample? Does the seller use words like blanket or coat-weight? If you order a few yards, can you get more? Be sure to use the SEARCH function to see discussions of the best length of fabric for pleating the Great Kilt. You may be able to afford better fabric than you think.

The Great thing about a Great Kilt is that you can always reconfigure the fabric into something else later on. I know you said your means are limited, but should you purchase some fabric that turns out to be unsuitable, you can probably sell it again. Just don't count on getting ALL of your money back in a hurry.

[Nathan S]

Thanks,
I went to a local store that sells discount fabrics and bought some grey/white plaid fabric that Im planning on using as a practice dummy to figure out on how to build a more modern kilt,similar to the popular X-Kilt I have seen on this forum site. It not heavy quality by hopelly I can get enough practise in that I can make one for work by mid-March.
What are some online sites that sell reasonable fabrics if I may ask, I am still planning on making a Belted Plaid for May,
There is a Renesaince Faire here in Oklahoma that I planning on attending this May

[fluter]

As Anne implies, your height may be a factor.

Forum advertiser Celtic Croft (click their handy buttons nearby) has a wool blend fabric they call "homespun." This is nice for a belted plaid, but at 54 inches it's on the narrow side. It has a less dense weave than the good woolen twill, giving a rustic look which I find attractive in a BP. I'm a smidge less than 6 feet, and the width of the fabric (that is to say, the length of the belted plaid) works for me---but I sometimes wish it were wider. Celtic Croft homespun great kilt

As for the horizontal dimension, we just acquire more yardage until we're covered. A slender youth might use 4 yards, but you're free to use 5 or even more.

If you're taller, then I'd look for a wider fabric: perhaps the Marton Mills poly-viscose, which I believe is 60 inches. Celtic Croft PV great kilt

Of course you can also get a length of fabric, and hem or fringe it yourself.

[Nathan S]

for a wider fabric: perhaps the Marton Mills poly-viscose, which I believe is 60 inches.

I have read about Marin Mills but on their website it does not say what their prices are nor how to order.

[Terry1948]

I have read about Marin Mills but on their website it does not say what their prices are nor how to order.

Marton Mills may not sell directly to the customer -- you have to go through a merchant. You could check with some of the advertisers here to see if they could order fabric for you from Marton Mills. For example, I know USA Kilts makes kilts out of fabric from Marton Mills -- not sure if they sell the fabric only. Freedom Kilts will sell fabric.

[ratspike]

Marton Mills will sell direct, you just need to contact them. I sent an email and received an initial reply within about a business day, with very prompt replies to several more emails with questions about this and that.

[jfdfiremedic71]

While on the subject of fabrics...Can anyone tell me of a material that doesn't hold water or mud like cotton and wool? I run mud obstacle runs (Spartan and Tough Mudder types) in a kilt now, but it weighs me down as I progress. I'm looking for something lighter and that repels water better than the kilt I have now. I'm looking at a Hiker's kilt from Sportkilt.com that is made of microfiber. Any suggestions?