Hodden Gray kilt fabric...where?

[NorCalPiper]

I saw on another forum a member who has scored a vintage, still basted London Scottish kilt from the 50's. I get a jones for this style about once a year, and its once again reared its head again for this year. I've never really looked for it, but I never see it marketed to the general public. Since it is a distinct regimental color, I assume its woven special for London and Toronto Scottish regiments. I guess I just answered my question, but does anyone know where to get this fabric?

[figheadair]

I saw on another forum a member who has scored a vintage, still basted London Scottish kilt from the 50's. I get a jones for this style about once a year, and its once again reared its head again for this year. I've never really looked for it, but I never see it marketed to the general public. Since it is a distinct regimental color, I assume its woven special for London and Toronto Scottish regiments. I guess I just answered my question, but does anyone know where to get this fabric?

Have you tried the Regiments themselves. They often have excess clothing and/or know where you might find one.

The modern cloth differs from the older, pre-1960s, cloth in that the recent weave has a much more purple hue compared with the original which was browner. I have a cWWI London Scottish kilt that I will post an image of when I get time.

[Hothir Ethelnor]

Can anyone comment on the weave and yarn. Is it a tweed? is the cloth worsted woven twill or is it felted like coat wool, or?

[MacSpadger]

The pinkish/purple tones have come out a bit vivid in this pic. I don't really know what terminology to use to describe the Hodden Grey, it's a bit like an old fashioned blanket?

[figheadair]

Can anyone comment on the weave and yarn. Is it a tweed? is the cloth worsted woven twill or is it felted like coat wool, or?

Worsted twill weave and yes, technically it's a tweed rather than a tartan as incidentally was the original Balmoral 'tartan'. The modern cloth is more felted than the older stuff, probably because they changed the wool type.

[English Bloke]

I really want a hodden grey kilt sooooo badly. That and a Tyneside Scottish (see this thread from Chris (Redshank) of Dunadd Trading Co.)

Never seen a hodden grey for sale anywhere and as Josh says the fabric is not generally available.

[Woodsheal]

Hodden grey wool was historically a "common man's" fabric, woven of undyed dark and light yarns, and used for coarse garb such as soldiers' and sailors' coats, etc.

The twill-weave kersey "mixed grey" here would work, and at 22 oz. would make a substantial kilt:

http://www.wmboothdraper.com/store/i...roducts_id=695

[Bing]

I happen to have a friend/occasional drinking mate who is a Major in the Toronto Scottish and even he won't get the fabric for me.

[English Bloke]

... The twill-weave kersey "mixed grey" here would work, and at 22 oz. would make a substantial kilt:

I like that very much Woodsheal, but hodden grey has more of a pinkness...

I happen to have a friend/occasional drinking mate who is a Major in the Toronto Scottish and even he won't get the fabric for me.

Hahahaha! There's a word for people like him... either that or he's not best mates with the QM. Have a word with him and tell him there is a hefty market out there and it would be a subtle way of boosting their Regimental welfare fund.

In all seriousness, it does seem to be very closely guarded. Probably to keep shallow idiots like me away from it. Not a bad thing really and if I'm honest, I don't mind in the least.

[Woodsheal]

I like that very much Woodsheal, but hodden grey has more of a pinkness...

Not originally. The hodden grey soldiers' coats of the 17th/18th centuries were decidedly grey, or a brownish-grey in some instances. Latter day kilts acquired their "pinkness" from God knows where...