Weird white thread at selvedge - MOD RRS tartan

[The Wizard of BC]

I would guess that over the years I have seen about 12 to 14 of the current, machine sewn/hand finished, 16oz wool RRS kilts.

I had three in my shop for many years.

None of them had the white thread you show.

In fact I have never seen that white thread on the selvedge of any kilt quality fabric. The only time I have ever seen it on any Tartan fabric were the few Marton Mills Poly/Rayon fabrics with the fringe edge and on some very light weight, fringe edged fabrics at my local fabric store.

[Tobus]

I would guess that over the years I have seen about 12 to 14 of the current, machine sewn/hand finished, 16oz wool RRS kilts.

I had three in my shop for many years.

None of them had the white thread you show.

In fact I have never seen that white thread on the selvedge of any kilt quality fabric. The only time I have ever seen it on any Tartan fabric were the few Marton Mills Poly/Rayon fabrics with the fringe edge and on some very light weight, fringe edged fabrics at my local fabric store.

Interesting, thanks. I'm certain this is not a poly material. It is wool, and based on weighing it, it's a solid 16oz nominal weight or better. The bundle is too heavy for my digital scale, but on my analog scale it comes out around 11 pounds. If my math is right, 1000cm x 144cm = 155 square feet. With nominal 16oz material being based on 15 square feet (36in x 60in), this bundle should weigh 10.33 pounds. So it actually is more like 17oz cloth, as near as I can tell from the rounding error on my scale. Everything I observe about the cloth seems good, and should be as suitable as any other heavyweight tartan except for that silly white thread.

It's quite the mystery, though, as figheadair has determined that it's not from Hainsworth. I just hope it's not an Asian-origin counterfeit, although that could explain the ridiculously cheap price.

[Todd Bradshaw]

I had a good-sized hunk of 15 oz. wool tweed which I bought from Marton Mills which had a similar, silvery/white thread running along next to the edge. After deciding that it was not practical to try to remove it, dye it, etc. I sent it to Barb and she made me a knife pleated kilt from it with the bottom hemmed. As far as I can tell, it works just fine and you don't really see or feel any difference with the hem. It was certainly more work to make one with a hem if other options don't exist, but it can be done by a good kiltmaker.

The really odd thing though, is that we also bought a small piece of the exact same weave and pattern in a slightly different shade for my wife to make something out of and her fabric does not have the white line. I have no idea what's up with that, and neither did the ladies I deal with at Marton Mills.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3kkg1hok5vga7n9/tk3.jpg?dl=0