Solid Color Great Kilt?

[Nick the DSM]

Saffron would be a cool color to do and i think any fabric would do.

[Woodsheal]

Grays, browns, and tans would be your best bet. The Scots weaved (wove?) wool fabrics in these colors without the use of dyes by mixing natural colored yarns. Mixing black and white yarns yielded the famous "hodden gray" for example. Simple checked "tartans" were similarly produced with undyed yarns....

[beloitpiper]

Saffron would be a cool color to do and i think any fabric would do.

I was going to say saffron too.

[sharpdressedscot]

Solid black?

[Farlander]

Solid black?

I particularly like the look of black kilts. There are sheep with black wool, so, a black wool kilt could exist using period methods.

The natural dying processes of the period made black a very difficult color to make and maintain (it would typically quickly fade). This is at least the reason given for why many Ren Fares reserve black for the nobility only.

[RadioKen]

I particularly like the look of black kilts. There are sheep with black wool, so, a black wool kilt could exist using period methods.

My wife has also indicated that she thinks a black kilt would look smashing. (Not her exact words - she would never use 'smashing' - but the sentiment was the same.) And I agree, albeit without knowing much about wool or spinning or weaving: Black sheep = black wool = black fabric that doesn't fade like that which is dyed.

I'd go with a wool in 13 oz. Anything lighter and you'll have to worry about the wind blowing the pleats up. I have a 13 oz wool GK and I'm glad I didn't get anything lighter or heavier.

That's the sort of information for which I was looking. On the off chance (make that likely chance) that I can't find (affordable) 100% wool, would a wool blend or PV be similarly gauged? I mean, would 13oz. wool have the same or similar 'heft' as 13oz. PV?

~Ken

[Jack Daw]

My wife has also indicated that she thinks a black kilt would look smashing. (Not her exact words - she would never use 'smashing' - but the sentiment was the same.) And I agree, albeit without knowing much about wool or spinning or weaving: Black sheep = black wool = black fabric that doesn't fade like that which is dyed.



That's the sort of information for which I was looking. On the off chance (make that likely chance) that I can't find (affordable) 100% wool, would a wool blend or PV be similarly gauged? I mean, would 13oz. wool have the same or similar 'heft' as 13oz. PV?

~Ken

Candidly, I dunno, RadioKen. Sounds like Farlander's got the poop.

[Sir Robert]

On finding material but a wool blend would work quite well. I have had zero luck finding pure wool anywhere.

A very likely period solid color is "Hoden" a light grey. No dye needed just mix white and black wool as you pull the wool into threads.

Hoden was said to have been worn by highlanders wishing to blend into the heather.