Cost of fabric for an X-kilt...?

**The Wizard of BC** · 29th July 08, 11:42 PM

If the fabric weight is about what would be comparable to a pair of "Docker" pants then it is a good weight.

**Aldisimo** · 30th July 08, 12:10 AM

The price is great if the fabric is right! One thing to keep in mind about inexpensive fabric: manufacturers often apply sizing to give the fabric more body and weight on the bolt, but when you wash it, the sizing comes out and you're left with a limp, threadbare rag. No, I'm not bitter . . .

If you think it might be a bit lightweight after you pre-shrink and press it, make a deep hem (even if you have a good selvedge) in your kilt, at least 5-6cm. That will add some weight as well as body.

**Pleater** · 31st July 08, 02:35 AM

It is a pity that the fabric is not just a bit wider, as a lightweight fabric used double will give you the feel of a heavy one, plus it generates a neat edge and hides the selvage in the waistband, or gets rid of it entirely.

Doubling the fabric was one way to get the right look for costume overcoats, cloaks, jackets etc when the good fabric would have cost far more than the doubled yardage in a light material.

That price, though is very good, compared with prices here in the UK.

Anne the Pleater

**george7** · 31st July 08, 02:41 PM

Don't cheap out on fabric. It can make or break a kilt. But don't waste money either... that wouldn't be in good Scottish tradition.

**Carolina Kiltman** · 31st July 08, 05:41 PM

One quick word on the sizing in almost any fabric one buys. Part of the problem is that the high speed looms break threads, a wet thread is much stronger, so (at least in some cases) the fabric is woven wet! One still has to be careful, and cheap fabric is all too often cheaply made. I have purchased cotton fabric that shrunk every time I washed it, didn't think that was possible until I experiened it myself. I would suggest washing before you make the kilt. You might want to cut a piece, measure it carefully then wash it, and measure it again. If it is the same size, you probably have a good piece.

**CDNSushi** · 31st July 08, 08:50 PM

Followup: received fabric. The price was right for what it is... Beautiful cloth. Perfect texture and colour, but way, way, way way too light/thin for any sort of kilt IMO. Since I'm not interested in sewing ladies' skirts, I'll have to figure out what to do with this stuff. I'm thinking either new curtains, or a pair of dress p*nts for work... I wonder if the X-kilts instructions are a little bit liberal in saying 8-13oz fabric... Seems like 10-13oz may be closer to what people are looking for.

I'm going to ensure my next purchase is OVER 300gsm.

(FWIW, I'm neither angry, nor bitter.... Just a little disappointed. No biggie though. Lot more twill cloth where this came from... Just in a much heavier weight next time, that's all.)

P.S. Does anyone know what weight of fabric UK uses for their standard?

**Aldisimo** · 31st July 08, 10:08 PM

Does anyone know what weight of fabric UK uses for their standard?

Utilikilts® describes the fabrics that they use for most models on their site.

Here's something that happened at JoAnn's today [but is certainly not unique to that chain of stores].

I went in for some other supplies and decided to get a piece of PV for a future project since it's 30% off. They had one that's similar to the Maple Leaf (same colors, different pattern) so I had them measure off seven yards, which they did very quickly. There was only one yard left, so I said I'd take that, too, then told them I preferred to take it home on the bolt instead of folded.

As I was wrapping it around the bolt and could look at it more closely, I came across one snag after another, all over the fabric. At one point there was even a small hole. They offered it to me at a greater discount, but for a kilt there would be no way to avoid all those flaws as you might with a garment that has several pieces.

Moral: Check that fabric (both top and underside) for problems before they cut it!

**meinfs** · 1st August 08, 05:36 AM

Originally Posted by Aldisimo

[...]
Moral: Check that fabric (both top and underside) for problems before they cut it!

So very true! Thanks for reminding us of it.

**Carolina Kiltman** · 2nd August 08, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by CDNSushi

Followup:

I'm going to ensure my next purchase is OVER 300gsm.

P.S. Does anyone know what weight of fabric UK uses for their standard?

One thought of what you could do with the fabric, make some nice casual shirts (gillie?)

As far as the weight, there was quite discussion about that in a previous thread.

When I was ordering fabric for a scene shop, the weight (cotton, tabby weave) was so many ounces per sq yard. your figure of 300gm/sq metre works out to about a 10 oz fabric. I would go for something even a bit heavier. My latest kilt is 13 oz wool, and it is a bit light, but works fine for our hot weather. My next dress kilt is probably going to be 16 oz (500 gm/metre sq )

**CDNSushi** · 4th August 08, 09:11 PM

Thank you, thank you... A proper metric figure will go a long way in helping me find an appropriate fabric. 500 gsm (but no less than 300) sounds like a good way to go.

As for the fabric I have, I like the idea of making some shirts with it, but the problem is that that it is lightly textured... Think of a standard UK... When you look at it closely, there's a grain... Whereas, shirts, in general (to my knowledge) are fairly grainless -- unless Ghillie shirts are an exception,

To the touch, it feels like a pair of semi-casual p*nts -- something I might wear to work... Seems like it would make a bit of a strange shirt. But maybe I'm wrong.

Heck, it anyone wants to take the cloth off my hands for the price I paid for it (taking into account the currency exchange and shipping) I'd certainly be OK to part with it. In addition, if someone wants me to send them a swatch beforehand, I'd be glad to oblige.