How to determine the number of yards of material in a kilt

**cruiser348** · 5th July 11, 02:04 PM

I recently purchased my second kilt off of e-bay (pictures to follow as soon as I figure out what's wrong with my camera) and I was curious how you can determine how many yards of material are in a kilt? I know I can probably get exact by taking a measurement of each pleat and the aprons and doing the math to get an exact number. However, as I am perfectly happy with an approximate estimate I'd rather avoid all that math. I am guessing I can just measure one pleat, multiply by the number of pleats, and go from there but wanted to be sure I wasn't going to miss some of the kilt builders magic.
I promise pics will come once my camera is working because I also need some tartan ID help as well.

**Paul Henry** · 5th July 11, 02:08 PM

I'd find the easiest and quickest would be just to take a tape measure and hold it against the bottom of the kilt, it saves lots of sums,and just seems the most direct.
Do remember though, even if a kilt is called an "8yd" kilt, it's unlikely that it will contain exactly 8 yards, that's perfectly normal.

**Chas** · 5th July 11, 02:10 PM

The easiest and most accurate method is to start at the fringe at the selvedge and start measuring till you come to end at the under apron. What you will get is the exact length.

Put the kilt in your lap and start measuring - 5 minutes max and no hard maths!

Regards

Chas

**cruiser348** · 5th July 11, 02:18 PM

Thanks for the quick responses folks. I'm not worried too much actually but more or less curious just because I can feel a difference between this kilt and the one I already owned and am just looking to get some sort of frame of reference. This was a second hand kilt from e-bay and the seller didn't say anything except that it was VERY heavy, and considering I currently had only a very light weight 4 yard box pleat wool blend kilt there is certainly a major difference. Now back to getting this camera to work......

**Tobus** · 5th July 11, 02:42 PM

I measure mine as Chas suggested. Lay it flat on a bed and start measuring, opening each pleat as necessary to continue the measurement.

My 8-yard 'tank' actually measures something like 7.92 yards.

**Father Bill** · 5th July 11, 03:34 PM

The problem with multiplying by the number of pleats is that in order to make the sett or stripe pleats line up, they're not actually the same depth. Take a look at this marvellous thread about those threads: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...ltmaker-60560/

**cruiser348** · 5th July 11, 03:39 PM

I had actually just read that and figured it wouldn't be that simple. However, since I really only want a gross approximation I had thought about measuring the depth of a few pleats to get an average depth and using that as a guide. After reading the method above it seems simple enough to do it the way those above have described and get a fairly accurate number relatively simply.

**cruiser348** · 5th July 11, 03:52 PM

For all those following along, the answer is 7 yards give or take a few inches.

**ForresterModern** · 6th July 11, 06:53 AM

I take the mathematical route and simply measure one "repeat" in the sett (from one line in the sett to the next repeat of that line) in inches or cm. I then scan the selvedge of the kilt from front apron fringe edge counting the number of repeats and multiply that number by the repeat measurement. That should give you the same measurement plus a fraction of a repeat give or take, then add in a little more for the foldovers in the fringe edge of the front apron. I have had kilts measure out anywhere from 9+ yds to as little as 7 yds of material for what was alledgedly an 8 yard kilt. However, a good kiltmaker can make use of every inch you send them, with a couple of my handsewns, where I knew that I sent exactly 8 yds of tartan, coming in at 7.7-7.9 yards worth of material used, therefore minimal wastage. Most are closer to 7.3-7.5 yards. A lot of it is based on the sett of the tartan, and how you want it pleated (stripe or sett), combined with your own measurements.

**Zardoz** · 6th July 11, 07:15 AM

I don't think this has to be a big mystery or math problem. Just grab a ruler and pull the bottom edge of you kilt by it a foot at a time. I just did it in about a minute with one of my USAK Semi-trads, 17 feet 6 inches, or about 5.8 yards.