Wool vs Polyviscose...am I being a snob?

**Friday** · 26th August 12, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by Spartan Tartan

The OP is asking if preferring wool is akin to being a snob. Of course not. .

As Spartan Tartan says, because you prefer wool does not make you a snob. If you look over at a brother kilt wearer in a PV, a sport kilt or even a Stillwater Acrylic and say "nice kilts" you are not a snob. If you look over and say "I'm wearing wool and they are not" you may be a snob.

It is not your opinion or your preferences that make you a snob. It is when you believe that your opinion is the only right opinion and that everyone else is wrong. An then look down on others for their lesser opinion.

**TheOfficialBren** · 26th August 12, 07:54 PM

+***
:-)

**Spartan Tartan** · 26th August 12, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Friday

As Spartan Tartan says, because you prefer wool does not make you a snob. If you look over at a brother kilt wearer in a PV, a sport kilt or even a Stillwater Acrylic and say "nice kilts" you are not a snob. If you look over and say "I'm wearing wool and they are not" you may be a snob.

It is not your opinion or your preferences that make you a snob. It is when you believe that your opinion is the only right opinion and that everyone else is wrong. An then look down on others for their lesser opinion.

well said!

**Lorna** · 27th August 12, 02:19 PM

It's not snobbery. Buy what you like. Happily there's a middle ground between quality and price. There is a company in British Columbia called the Fraser and Kirkbright Weaving Company that weaves tartan for about half the price you would pay for tartan from Scotland. According to their website they use 100% Australian merino wool and the heaviest tartan they weave is about 13 oz. A few years ago I bought some tartan to sew a kilt for my son who was then 16. I didn't want to spend a fortune on something that I knew he would outgrow. I was happy with the quality for the price. The only concern might be with the quality of their selvage which would mean that the kilt would need to be sewn with a hem. Also, they don't have a huge selection of tartans, so if you're looking for a particular tartan, it may not be available. I know that Burnett and Struth who are partners on this website will make up a kilt with tartan that you send them. I've also ordered tartan from Scotland and had it made up there for a dancer's kilt. Or if you (or someone you know) are more adventurous you can try sewing it yourself. Whatever route you take (man-made or natural fibre) remember: we get what we pay for. My advice, for what it's worth, would to be to buy something at the upper limit of your budget.

**gwynng** · 28th August 12, 08:38 AM

Thanks Lorna. I haven't quite gotten the guts to try sewing a kilt myself, but I do know how to sew. (One of the many things that my mother thought men should know how to do including making a great pot of chili.) So doing one myself may not be out of the question down the road. Your info is very helpful.

**Friday** · 28th August 12, 10:43 AM

Deleted - please see posts 39 and 42

**gwynng** · 28th August 12, 04:45 PM

So I take it that you have tried your hand at making a kilt? Successful I assume. Any pics?

**Friday** · 28th August 12, 08:39 PM

Deleted - please see posts 39 and 42

**The Wizard of BC** · 28th August 12, 09:18 PM

As this thread has evolved from the purchase and wear of P/V v.s. Wool, to the making of kilts, perhaps the voice of someone who does it as a living may help.

Wool is a very forgiving fabric. P/V when pressed, creates permanent creases. The creases in Wool can be steamed out and re-pressed almost forever. Any mistakes are quickly corrected and you can start all over.

The really cool thing about making a kilt in the traditional manner is that until you cut-away the pleats you can pick out all the stitches and you are back to a long piece of fabric.

My advice to a beginner kiltmaker, who is thinking about hand sewing, is to find the best fabric you can afford. 16oz premium Kilt Wool does cost more than the WalMart specials but the difference in how it sews is like night and day.
I would prefer to hand sew a kilt in good quality wool than anything else. It is easier and in the end you have a premium kilt you can be really proud to wear.

Good quality fabric really is easier to sew. That is not just a myth. If your goal in the beginning is to practice your needle work then you owe it to yourself to use the easiest fabric to work with.

If you are thinking about machine sewing then good quality P/V or Poly/Cotton is the way to start. But again, buy the best quality you can afford.

It all comes down to the end product. Making a kilt the first time is a very long and involved process. Wouldn't you rather have a really nice kilt in the end than one that is just your practice kilt?
The difference in price, for an entire kilt, between bargain basement mystery fabric and first quality Poly/Cotton is only about $20.00 or maybe $30.00.

So if you are thinking about making a kilt, think also the finished kilt. After a week or a month of sewing you should be proud of your work. You will want to strap your kilt on and go out to show it off. You may want to post pics here and bask in the accolades of your fellow members.
Ask yourself --- What would you be proud to wear when you get it done?

**Friday** · 28th August 12, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

As this thread has evolved from the purchase and wear of P/V v.s. Wool, to the making of kilts, perhaps the voice of someone who does it as a living may help.

Wool is a very forgiving fabric. P/V when pressed, creates permanent creases. The creases in Wool can be steamed out and re-pressed almost forever. Any mistakes are quickly corrected and you can start all over.

The really cool thing about making a kilt in the traditional manner is that until you cut-away the pleats you can pick out all the stitches and you are back to a long piece of fabric.

My advice to a beginner kiltmaker, who is thinking about hand sewing, is to find the best fabric you can afford. 16oz premium Kilt Wool does cost more than the WalMart specials but the difference in how it sews is like night and day.
I would prefer to hand sew a kilt in good quality wool than anything else. It is easier and in the end you have a premium kilt you can be really proud to wear.

Good quality fabric really is easier to sew. That is not just a myth. If your goal in the beginning is to practice your needle work then you owe it to yourself to use the easiest fabric to work with.

If you are thinking about machine sewing then good quality P/V or Poly/Cotton is the way to start. But again, buy the best quality you can afford.

It all comes down to the end product. Making a kilt the first time is a very long and involved process. Wouldn't you rather have a really nice kilt in the end than one that is just your practice kilt?
The difference in price, for an entire kilt, between bargain basement mystery fabric and first quality Poly/Cotton is only about $20.00 or maybe $30.00.

So if you are thinking about making a kilt, think also the finished kilt. After a week or a month of sewing you should be proud of your work. You will want to strap your kilt on and go out to show it off. You may want to post pics here and bask in the accolades of your fellow members.
Ask yourself --- What would you be proud to wear when you get it done?

I sit corrected. Please disregard posts 36 and 38 Mr. Ashton make is correct.