Hair canvas

[Mipi]

Is hair canvas needed in constructing Wool/poly kilt, too? I'll most likely omit left side strap (velcro or something similar), so the question is do I need stabilizer?

Would poly strap (that is used as a shoulder strap for bags) be good replacement for hair canvas or is it overkill?

THX!

[sydnie7]

Hair canvas takes the strain off your pleat stitches. If you leave it out, the kilt might look OK at first, but after it is worn for a while you will be able to tell the difference.

Stabilizer is a narrow strip of any closely woven fabric (broadcloth etc) stitched at the waistline. It takes the strain of both left and right-hand buckles, and is easy to install. I suspect Ted will chime in here with his link to "putting a stabilizer in a Stillwater" thread where he added one to a commercially made kilt.

I used the Tailor's Pride hair canvas that Barb T recommends. I know you are not in U.S. and may not have easy access, but if you want your kilt to last and look good you should try to find some equivalent material. Are there any custom tailors near you that could supply or recommend a locally available material? It's not a very heavy "canvas" -- I was surprised how light weight it is by itself -- but it really adds to the body and heft of the kilt when sewn in as instructed.

Maybe there is someone on the forum here who bought a large piece and could sell you enough for your kilt? I would offer but I have plans for all that I bought.

Best of luck and good kilting!

[HeathBar]

If you are cutting out the top part of the inside pleats then yes you would at least need it in the back. If you are not cutting them out then its not necessary. You would still need the stabilizer strip under the liner. Adding the canvas to the top of the aprons would depend on the style and use of the kilt. The canvas is used for shaping and adding structure to the waist are of the kilt.

[Bugbear]

For the stabilizer, I used a cotten fabric strip that already had the edges hemmed. I'm not sure what it was from, but it may have been part of a sheet. Someone gave me an old blanket and the strip had been used to tie it in a bundle.

[ardchoille]

Is hair canvas needed in constructing Wool/poly kilt, too? I'll most likely omit left side strap (velcro or something similar), so the question is do I need stabilizer?

Would poly strap (that is used as a shoulder strap for bags) be good replacement for hair canvas or is it overkill?

THX!

Think of it like this: What you are actually strapping on are the straps, interfacing and stabilizer. The aprons and pleats "float" on those items. When you buckle the kilt tight, the interfacing and stabilizer are there to take the stress so the sewn area of the pleats doesn't have to.

[Carolina Kiltman]

Think of it like this: What you are actually strapping on are the straps, interfacing and stabilizer. The aprons and pleats "float" on those items. When you buckle the kilt tight, the interfacing and stabilizer are there to take the stress so the sewn area of the pleats doesn't have to.

Tfhank you, you beat me to the post. The hair canvas used to be just that. . . woven horse hair! Now it is at least partially synthetic and some even come in washable types. Check first with fabric stores, then the tailor shops. Good luck and post pictures when finished.

[Tartan Hiker]

BUT...

If you are using a washable blend fabric, then don't use hair canvas. It isn't washable.
Use a heavy cotton canvas instead. Preshrink it by washing in hot water and drying on high, then press and sew.

Nylon strapping would be too much, IMHO. Not very breathable and mighty thick...sounds hot and uncomfortable to me.

[Kiltman]

BUT...

If you are using a washable blend fabric, then don't use hair canvas. It isn't washable.
Use a heavy cotton canvas instead. Preshrink it by washing in hot water and drying on high, then press and sew.

Both the stabilizer and the canvas are integral parts of a kilt, don't leave them out.

[Mipi]

THX to all!!

I'll look what I have at home first (my mother-in-law is seamster and my wife do sew from time to time too; so I'm not alone). Would prefere washable fabric. Pictures will follow but latter on. I was hoping to have it done by my birthday (7th of Sept.), but right now pleating is done and I'm heming it.

[Tartan Hiker]

Both the stabilizer and the canvas are integral parts of a kilt, don't leave them out.

I wasn't implying that they should be left out. I was saying that if he wants to be able to wash his kilt, as it is being made of a washable fabric (wool/poly blend), then it would be a mistake to use a non-washable material in the internal structure of the kilt.