You have not mentioned your chosen tartans, but most common ones can be had fairly easily. I have ordered twice from The Scottish Weaver wool remnant page, and also ordered kilt lengths of two cotton tartan fabrics. Their product and service are very good. Scottish importers are a very good source for tartan. Besides the featured supporters of the board, two that come to mind immediately (because I've used them) are: Linda Clifford and The Kilt & Thistle (at www.kilts.com). Probably any Scottish shop would be happy to order you a kilt length. Go to any Highland Games and visit the vendor booths. Most of the kiltmakers I've seen have a shelf in the back with folded fabric, or they will be happy to order whatever you wish.

Be prepared to pay a hefty price for quality tartan; it is produced by the mills under license. Individuals pay full-bore price - I've seen as high as $95/yd recently, and as low as $55/yd before that. Knock-offs are cheaper, but not the real thing.

I have purchased various fabrics on eBay - some of which was useable for kilts, and some of which turned out not to be. Occasionally, real tartan turns up on eBay.

One key to acquiring the material you want is: patience. For an individual seeking the right material, in the right length, at the right price, a waiting-and-watching game must sometimes be played.

Obviously, worsted wool tartan with its "hard finish" works best for kilts, according to tradition and the instructions in Barb's book. But I have seen some plain weave wool that is also just fine. The techniques used to make cotton tartans into kilts differ from wool tartans because cotton cannot be "shaped" the way wool can.

Kiltmaking is like everything else in life - practice, practice, practice - with the first attempts usually not suitable for public display. Go slow, first try a few pieces on inexpensive materials, invest some time in your "learning curve," spend an inordinate amount of time on X Marks the Scot reading all the previous posts in the kiltmaker section, enjoy the journey.

Before you know it you will be hopelessly addicted...
:rolleyes: