Making a kilt out of military surplus wool blanket

[Orthzar]

While I don't have any kilts yet, and while I have not tried any on either, I nonetheless am curious as to whether or not a kilt should be made out of a military surplus wool blanket. I have done some calculations, and I figured out that I could get between 4 and 5 yards of 25" to 30" wide pieces, if I cut down a 60"x80" wool blanket into 3 to 4 pieces. One piece is so narrow that it is used in neither the pleating nor the apron, so it would be used as extra material. The reason I ask about whether or not I should use such material is in regards to the weight and color.

I had purchased a 100% wool Italian surplus blanket that I determined to have about 25 oz per yard of 60" wide of the fabric. I don't think that using such wool fabric would be wise, since I live in Texas and summer is approaching. Therefore, I am looking at maybe using a wool/poly blended surplus blanket, as that material would weigh less and would not retain as much heat as the Italian wool would.

The only reason that I am even considering making a kilt out of surplus wool blankets is the fact that I have a stable source and they are about $20 each. I realize that I could buy an SWK Thrifty Kilt for $30-$40, but I am lazy and don't want to have to fill out a money order. Plus, the wait time is what, 3-4 weeks? I could have a DIY kilt made in a few days to a week, now that I am out of school for the summer.

As per the color of the blankets, the Italian wool is an off grey with two white stripes running parallel to the short side, and the wool/poly blended blankets are a grey-green, almost forest green in color.

With the Texas Scottish Festival coming up, I guess I could wait and buy one then. But why should I wait for freedom, when I could make it for myself before next week?


Cheers


(FYI for the Mods: I tried to post this a few minutes ago, but I never found it afterward. Thankfully, I copied it before trying to post.)

[dfmacliam]

First, hello and welcome to the forum. Secondly, dealing with SWK is not a 3-4 week ordeal, it can usually be done within a week, especially if ordered online. A prepaid MasterCard from Walmart would take no longer to obtain than buying a money order.

I do not feel a military surplus blanket would make a suitable kilt due to the courseness and weight of the wool. There could also be issues of piecing the material together, to get a suitable length, to create the pleats. With the hot Texas sun, especially during the Arlington Games, would also make it a bit uncomfortable. Of course this is only my opinion.

I admire your desire to make your own kilt, and I feel there are better options for you to acheive your goal. There is a Xkilt instructions on the forum, which can help you make your own kilt. There are many threads concerning fabric, weights, and pleating options, that should help you make a more suitable choice of material to use.

Once again, welcome, and I wish you well on your kilting, and know you have come to the right place to get all the information, you can use.

[MrShoe]

I second the speed at which Jerry ships from SWK.
It has been rumored that it is in the mail before you even place the order.

[joecool]

Welcome to the forum! I think it is awesome that you want to make your own kilt (maybe this summer I will finally get around to making one)! Anyway, I would also advise against the military surplus wool blanket as good kilt material. The ones I have felt were pretty rough, and depending on the toughness of your hide, probably wouldn't be the most pleasant thing to wear on a hot day! There are some fairly cheep alternatives to wool, such as PV that I am sure you could find from either somebody on this forum or on eBay. Oh, and SWK ships VERY fast. You wouldn't wait more than a week most likely. Whatever you decide, we would love to see pictures! Once again, welcome to the forum!

[Orthzar]

Thanks ya'll for the timely responses.

Now that I am reminded about pre-paid Mastercards (and I don't know why I forgot about those, having worked for a year where people regularly buy them), I think I will seriously consider an SWK as a first kilt.

Regarding the shipping time of SWK, I think I might have been thinking about some other kilt manufacturer in the states. Though, I am glad that SWK has a short delivery time, just to get that freedom and free air conditioning wherever I go.

I will try to get some pictures up for ya'll.


Godspeed

[Alan H]

If you want to make a quick, first kilt then look at the DIY forum and find the X-Kilt instructions. Then go down to JoAnne's fabric, or Hancock Fabric, or whichever budget fabric store you have in town. Purchase some solid color cotton/polyester twill. It will cost you about $8 a yard for four and a half yards. Now you have enough fabric to make two X-Kilts unless you are a seriously large lad. If you don't like solid color, then they will probably have some camouflage material. Try that. Buy some thread.

This assumes that you have access to a sewing machine and know what to do with it.

They're not traditional kilts by any stretch of the imagination, but if it's air conditioning and freedom you want, and your budget is tight, the X-Kilt is a pretty dynamo way to go. OF course, I'm a bit prejudiced.

[string]

on the subject of air conditioning, a blanket would feel like just that. I would only support that much warmth around ones delicates in the middle of winter or in Antarctica. Remember, heat kills the swimmers

[Tiny]

As tempting as a 25oz wool kilt would be to me for winter hiking I'm fine with my SWK heavy weight. I wouldn't think of making/getting a kilt in that weight for anything other then sub zero walking, mayeb for snowblowing the yard.


Though it would shut up any of the fools at the bars who ask me if i'm cold during winter pub crawls. "No I have over 6lbs of wool on, arent you cold in those slacks?"

[bubba295]

I have to agree with AlanH, build an XKilt. It's not hard at all and it is fairly rewarding once you get to wear it the first time, after all it is something that you made yourself.

[Orthzar]

Well, I think that after crudely fashioning a great kilt with 65% wool blanket I will not be making any permanent kilt out that stuff. The kilt-effect certainly is there, but only when I walk or when I move my hips back and forth. I underestimated the exact heat retention of such a low amount of wool. That blanket is going into my car trunk for emergencies for sure.

Regarding an SWK, I think I will indeed buy a Thrifty SWK in Mackenzie tartan. Now I just need to figure out how I would explain it to my parents, as they are of the mindset that kilts are for special occasions, though my mom is more open to the idea after talking to her a bit.

As to the X-kilt, I have looked at the pdf document for the X-kilt, and I think I could manage to make such a garment, especially since we have a sewing machine at my house and my mom is more or less proficient in its use. Such a project would likely culminate after I had worn a Thrifty kilt for a month or two, and after wanting another kilt to vary my wardrobe a little more. I am thinking that I might use some digital camouflage for the fabric, if I can find it, otherwise I would use black plaoy/cotton twill. Heck, if their is enough fabric, then I will make one for one of my brothers while I'm at it.


Thanks again for the advice and Godspeed,
Orthzar