Advice on kiltmaking supplies?

**ardchoille** · 14th August 08, 12:34 PM

I'm going shopping soon for kiltmaking items. I've taken notes from the many threads here from our wonderful kiltmakers and would like some clarification on a few items.

Stabilizer - Barb has stated that any non-stretch material will work. She has cut up bandanas and used them as stabilizers, I like her resourcefulness. Would cotton twill fabric work for this?

Interfacing - Barb has stated that hair canvas is best for this so I'll try and find some. Other canvas won't work as well?

Lining - I haven't seen anyone say which fabric is best for this yet. I can get a good deal on cotton twill fabric ($5.00/yd) will this work for the lining?

Straps & buckles - It looks like I can order these in sets from the Tartan Thistle and I plan on using only two; one set hidden inside the left (thanks to M. A. C. Newsome for the idea), and one set outside on the right. I just don't see the need for the second strap on the right.

I'm so excited at being able to make my own kilts and I welcome any and all advice.

**fluter** · 14th August 08, 01:31 PM

Ian, if you don't have Barb's book, go ahead and get it when you can. It lists details and sources for most things. It's available from several of our fine Xmarks sponsors or from herself/

Originally Posted by ardchoille

Interfacing - Barb has stated that hair canvas is best for this so I'll try and find some. Other canvas won't work as well?

I'm told the specific hair canvas to get is Tailor's Pride, available at Vogue Fabrics. Your local store can probably get it. If you're in this for the long haul, a 25-yard bolt was about $5/yard. Hmm I see Vogue has a 40 yard bolt that works out $3.75, but you might want to share that with 3 other kilt-makers.

This is my Kilt Kamp project:

For the lining: twill, broadcloth, anything light that will feel good and keep the scratchy canvas away from us.

Recently Matt and Barb have posted sources for the good tailor's chalk.

**ardchoille** · 14th August 08, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by fluter

Ian, if you don't have Barb's book, go ahead and get it when you can. It lists details and sources for most things. It's available from several of our fine Xmarks sponsors or from herself/

Yeah, I'm planning on buying that book next month. Ah, nice pics of your kilt kamp project, thanks

**ChattanCat** · 14th August 08, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by ardchoille

I'm going shopping soon for kiltmaking items. I've taken notes from the many threads here from our wonderful kiltmakers and would like some clarification on a few items.

Stabilizer - Barb has stated that any non-stretch material will work. She has cut up bandanas and used them as stabilizers, I like her resourcefulness. Would cotton twill fabric work for this?

Interfacing - Barb has stated that hair canvas is best for this so I'll try and find some. Other canvas won't work as well?

Lining - I haven't seen anyone say which fabric is best for this yet. I can get a good deal on cotton twill fabric ($5.00/yd) will this work for the lining?

Straps & buckles - It looks like I can order these in sets from the Tartan Thistle and I plan on using only two; one set hidden inside the left (thanks to M. A. C. Newsome for the idea), and one set outside on the right. I just don't see the need for the second strap on the right.

I'm so excited at being able to make my own kilts and I welcome any and all advice.

Stabilizer - I use scrap pieces of braodcloth.

Interfacing - I only use hair canvas for wool kilts.

Lining - I prefer to use the "for Quilters" broadcloth material. It is a little heavier than regular broadcloth. You can get it from Joann's.

Straps & buckles - I use www.highlandxpress.com They are made in scotland and a good price.

**ardchoille** · 14th August 08, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by ChattanCat

Stabilizer - I use scrap pieces of braodcloth.

Interfacing - I only use hair canvas for wool kilts.

Lining - I prefer to use the "for Quilters" broadcloth material. It is a little heavier than regular broadcloth. You can get it from Joann's.

Straps & buckles - I use www.highlandexpress.com They are made in scotland and a good price.

That url leads me to a generic page about auto insurance.

**Bugbear** · 14th August 08, 04:27 PM

I don't have any advice because I'm not a kiltmaker. I only have links to things I read to try to understand what a traditional kilt is.

100%-Worsted Wool Twill Tape from Wooded Hamlet Designs

kfreeouf's "Thread, thread"

Barb T.'s thread "Results of the new Dual Duty XP thread"

Oops, Wally fixed it, so I'll take that link out.
You know where the rest are... I'm tired...

*** That wool tape was not in relation to the stabilizer. I saw it in a thread on replacing waistbands. ***

**ChattanCat** · 14th August 08, 04:27 PM

Fixed the link. Highland X Press...
here is the link to the buckles

**ardchoille** · 14th August 08, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by ChattanCat

Fixed the link. Highland X Press...
here is the link to the buckles

Ah, thank you very much. That site is quite good.. bookmarked it

**ardchoille** · 14th August 08, 04:49 PM

Originally Posted by Ted Crocker

I don't have any advice because I'm not a kiltmaker. I only have links to things I read to try to understand what a traditional kilt is.

100%-Worsted Wool Twill Tape from Wooded Hamlet Designs

kfreeouf's "Thread, thread"

Barb T.'s thread "Results of the new Dual Duty XP thread"

Oops, Wally fixed it, so I'll take that link out.
You know where the rest are... I'm tired...

Oh, wow, more bookmarks. Thank you for the info, this is going to be awesome. lol, years ago I never dreamed I would be excited over sewing.

**Barb T** · 19th August 08, 01:59 PM

Any non-stretchy fabric will work for the stabilizer. Doesn't matter if it's twill or plain weave. Just make sure you use the non-stretchy direction (the warp direction).