wool denim?

[The Wizard of BC]

Jimmy,

You are correct, In very small pieces denim will work just fine. The fabric is rigid enough to resist the puckering and ballooning it does in larger, full sized kilts. It will work in a full sized kilt if you don't mind the ironing and re-stretching neccessary to prevent the puckering. I estimate 1 1/2 to 2 hours per washing to retain the look. Kinda defeates the idea of why you would choose denim in the first place though.



I have looked into the Merino wool from Fraser & Kirkbright. I find it to have a selvdge that is not suitable for a proper "Tank". It is visible from quite a distance and seems to be done by running the ends of the weft back on itself for approx. 1/2 inch. This produces an unsightly thick selvdge with a prominant color/texture/thickness change. The selvdge is also quite rough on the edges and not straight and regular.

The four Traditional kiltmakers in Victoria all agree this fabric is unsuitable for anything but women's pleated skirts, dancers kilts, and casual wear.

With the longer length of the Merino wool fibers and the finer diameter of them, you would think this would be the perfect wool for first rate kilt tartans. I think perhaps it is this weaver in particular and not a comment on the quality of the wool.

Too bad as I had hoped we had found an inexpensive alternative to Scottish woven Melton Tartans.

[bear]

I regularily use the Fraser and Kirkbright wool. I find the selvedge fine for casual kilts. It has some marks from the loom on the selvedge but, as I said, it's fine for casual kilts.
I have a 4 yard selvedged Classic Cut and a 6 yard fringed Grizzly Cut in my new MacBitseach tartan. (Jimmy, you'd love a F&K Grizzly Cut! They're softer than peach fuzz and lighter than American beer!)
For traditional kilts, the selvedge would have to be hemmed under. I'm told this also increases the sway and flow of the pleats. I'll let you know about that when I get my Celtic Pride.

[Alan H]

Thanks for the comments about the Fraser and Kirkbright material, gang. Interesting...