Hemp Kilts

[Jimmy Carbomb]

I think there are 2 stores here (only one is solely dedicated) that sell hemp clothing, apparently it's very durable, probably depends on how its woven.

Yup. The "industrial" and "commercial" weaves are completely different. Missed in all of this is one of the factors that goes into the designation. That is the fire-retardant capabilities. With "industrial", there's really not a major concern since the make is different for production, heavy seize and stale environment use. With the "commercial" weaves, it's a major concern. There's a fantastic note from OSHA and MSHA on hemp material. Basically stated, it's GREAT for the pulp and paper industry, but not real smart for fabric.

There are three hemp material sources available that actually use a flame retardant additive to the finished product. It is recommended that the garment be lined instead of having direct skin contact. Not sure that's something I want to wear.

Sources: Harwick Knitted Fabrics (Kevin Connelly), MSHA (Robert Stewart), and OSHA (MSDS-2005).

Thanks to the sources and to The House of Edgar staff for the information.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Dave, since you messaged me from this thread... say "hi" to Kevin for me! That's awesome that you know him too! GREAT guy that really knows the fabric milling business.

As for your kilt... send it to me and I'll do the "normal" fix on it. The company just doesn't get it when it comes to that part of the kilt... and they probably never will. "You get what you pay for". I'll get it back to you within the week. You'll be number 27 with this SAME fix.

[Pittsburgh Kilts]

I guess before I sold any, I should order a little hemp fabric and try it for myself. Some places offer a blend (hemp/cotton or hemp/poly). Maybe one of those would work better?

Thanks for the info, Jimmy.

And by the way, whatever company Jimmy was talking about in the post above, it was not ME!

[Jimmy Carbomb]

I guess before I sold any, I should order a little hemp fabric and try it for myself. Some places offer a blend (hemp/cotton or hemp/poly). Maybe one of those would work better?

Thanks for the info, Jimmy.

And by the way, whatever company Jimmy was talking about in the post above, it was not ME!

The hemp blends come HIGHLY recommended by the same folks that are resistant to the pure hemp. There's an inherant "fix" when you go with the cottons. The polys are even a step-up. Both can be "worked" with the fingers, and the maintenance is minimal.

And NO, that's not PittsburghKilts. I don't think Dave even owns one of them... yet.

[bear]

I've tried several cotton/hemp blends in several weights and while a few were close to kiltworthy, the wrinkling factor made me pass them up.
The best was a 50/50 cotton/hemp in a heavier weight. All the lighter weights were too wrinkly and the heavier weight was pure hell to sew! Heavyweight hemp is tough stuff to work and there are too many tough spots which will stop a needle, likely breaking it.

[Casey]

I guess that's why it makes great rope.

[C blessing]

Well gentlemen i have a Hilt.let me share with you, the good ,the bad ,& the ugly.

The Good: I love the hemp fabric, its heavy and has an excellent swing to it. Overall, the design is very good. I Love the buckle placement and the velcro on the waistband to hold it while I buckle it.

The Bad: The pleats need to be sewn, I think, and the fringe on the apron is excessive, looks very hippy-ish. One of the folds on the top apron, where the sinch/straps attach, needs to be sewn down, they stick out like little retarted wings.

The Ugly...: I want to clarify, this is just my experience with the Hilt company... I ordered a Steel Grey hilt at the end of may, after 6 months I recievedd it in november, but it was the wrong color, and it was the wrong size. WAY too long, and baby blue, before I recieved it I contacted adam via email and he would only respond to probably 1/5 of my emails. I did return it (send it back) with the understanding that I would recieve the replacement before I moved from texas to my new home, approximately 4 weeks from teh time I sent it back. In my correspondence about my returning the hilt, we had some discussion about color in which he flat out lied to me about. Attempted to tell me that baby blue was 'steel grey'. So he must have a different idea about what steel grey is. So I ordered a 'black' replacement, im pretty sure we can all agree on what black is... So, at the end of december (not on time) I finally recieved my replacement, and it was <u>again</u> the wrong size, it was too long. I ordered a 22" length, and recieved a 24 1/2", so now I need to have it hemmed a bit.

I do have to say, I love the fabric and the look of the garment but my experience with The Hilt was VERY frustrating, and I do not think I will do buisiness with them any time soon. They definately have some kinks to work out in their buisiness. Thats my 2 cents, and experience.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Cb... thanks for the first-hand account. It's always best to get real feedback from a customer, no matter whether it's good or bad. Hopefully, a company will learn from the problems and make it better in the long run. HOPEFULLY!

The material does have inherent problems for kilts. Again... the intricate pleating of a "normal" kilt is an awful lot to have hemp material shape. The traditional kiltmaking teachers that I have DO know their stuff.

I guess Bear's hesitancy to use the stuff was just verified by your accounts. I, for one, will stick to wool and let the hemp rest in pulp and ropes.

[Hamish]

Well gentlemen i have a Hilt.let me share with you, the good ,the bad ,& the ugly.
.................................................. .......................................

Many thanks for that timely report. I was on the point of sending them an order, feeling that a 'Hilt' should at least be in my Kilt Kollection, but I think I'll let it rest a while longer.

[GMan]

Ham,

You have read my mind. Thank you C blessing for the report.