Canvas Kilt Question

[The Kilted Reverend]

Dear Friends,

Is there somewhere on this forum where I can find out a bit more about canvas kilts. Along the lines of care, cleaning, fading, etc.

I am looking to add one to the collect and have a few ?????

Slainte,
Rev.

[Heming]

Most canvases are pure cotton. Cotton MUST be pre-shrunk before you make your kilt. It will shrink about 10-15 %.

But if properly pre-shrunk, and if the pleats are sewn in the edges (sorry, don't remember the proper english word just now), a canvas kilt is excellent. Machine washable (warm), durable, cool... But wrinkly. So choose a sturdy canvas (i.e. heavy), or chose duck cloth.

Well-made, a canvas kilt will be like your favourite jeans. Comfy, comfy, comfy.

[Canuck]

Cold water wash hang to dry. I clothes pin the pleats at the hemline and then there is less ironing. For coloured kilts a teaspoon of salt in the water helps set the dye to prevent it from fading.
Consider hemp as it is a superior product, less wrinkling and more durable

[The Kilted Reverend]

Cold water wash hang to dry. I clothes pin the pleats at the hemline and then there is less ironing. For coloured kilts a teaspoon of salt in the water helps set the dye to prevent it from fading.
Consider hemp as it is a superior product, less wrinkling and more durable

Does the salt work on all fabrics or just hemp, and does that need to be done every time or just the first time. And if it is not just plain dirty can you air a canvas kilt out like a woolie.

Slainte,
Rev.

[Canuck]

Does the salt work on all fabrics or just hemp, and does that need to be done every time or just the first time. And if it is not just plain dirty can you air a canvas kilt out like a woolie.

Slainte,
Rev.

The salt works with all natural fibres. Generally the first time is good enough.
Yes you can air out the kilt. The poly blends I have found tend to hold odour more.

[Heming]

Salt doesn't do much for synthetics, they're often dyed with mordant dyes. But these will also not fade as quickly. Vegetable fibres (cotton, hemp, linen) need washing more often than wool as airing will be less effective. But cotton and hemp can be machine washed, in warm water (even if the label says cold), if you use mild detergent and fabric softener. Tumble drying will add to shrinkage but make the fabric softer.