PV versus Wool

[Moosedog]

Well, actually, even if your kilt is not made from Marton Mill's PV it can still be made of PV--there's a lot of it out there. But it is probably a lighter-weight PV that most have not found satisfactory for kilts.

Moosedog

[RockyR]

I think the only way you could make it clearer is if you were standing in front of us with a sample of each fabric in your hand....

Hence the reason I offered to send a swatch out if anyone sends me a SASE. See... we're pretty amenable to help inform consumers...

As long as we're discussing synthetics... I have a kilt that is labeled as viscose/acetate... is there a common American name for acetate, like rayon/viscose?

and is this fabric more like acrylic or PV?

I'd have to see it and touch it to tell you.

[RockyR]

Well, actually, even if your kilt is not made from Marton Mill's PV it can still be made of PV--there's a lot of it out there. But it is probably a lighter-weight PV that most have not found satisfactory for kilts.

Moosedog

correct.

There's actually a Canadian company (not sure of the name) that weaves 8 oz PV in the Canadian tartans (provinces and Maple Leaf). It's VERY light weight.

Batley (mill in the UK) weaves PV, but it's not as nice as MM's and their tartan selections basically double MM stuff, so I buy from the better source.

I have heard of some companies that sell Pakistani kilts that claim their product is PV. I don't know if they are ACTUALLY PV or another synthetic fabric, but the quality is poor.

[James MacMillan]

Ooooooooooooooo who pushed Steve's button. But he's right.

But, there are also good and bad PV. Cheap fabric, makes for cheap kilts. Good fabric, hadles by a good kiltmaker, can make a good kilt.

Source, conversation, research, questions, more research, talking to customers, reading everything here that you can, will at least make you a smarter consumer.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

[Mark Keeney]

As long as we're discussing synthetics... I have a kilt that is labeled as viscose/acetate... is there a common American name for acetate, like rayon/viscose?

Acetate is used in America too. Taffeta and some satin and a lot of lining material is acetate. Acetate is strictly dry clean only.

[Riverkilt]

What they said!!!!

I had to take a course in textiles in college to learn this stuff...now its on the Internet....take some time and learn.

I was once in the cap and gown business for many years..."disposable" gowns came out made of acetate. Think they're still around. Disposable meant they didn't have to be shipped back to the cap and gown company to be dry cleaned before the next use...some dry clean gowns would get used six or seven times a season...a lot of hassle to get them shipped back.

So the acetate "disposable" graduation gowns emerged...then they were marketed as "Keepsake" the students got to keep them after graduation...carouse around town in them

Pretty much the same difference between a true cap and gown and the acetate versions as between a hand sewn kilt and the inexpensive kilts.

Sorry, point is acetate fabric will dissappear if you happen to get acetone on it...vanishes into a puddle.

A little time invested in researching textile fiber chemistry, properties, good stuff and bad stuff will improve your kilt purchasing decisions too...

Ron

[Moosedog]

One other note to add--the PV kilts I have (all made of Marton Mills stuff) tend to soften a bit with wear and washing. So the "hand" will change a little over the life of the garment, in case you are looking at swatches, which will be of new fabric.

Moosedog

[sharpdressedscot]

Really, really, really dumb question: Whats PV stand for? Anything in particular?

[RockyR]

SDS... PV stands for Poly Viscose (65% / 35% respectively).

Moosedog... One way to keep MM PV "nicer" is to make sure you DON'T wash it in Fabric Softener. That will change the "hand" of the fabric pretty quickly. Not saying you did anything wrong... just a tip. ;)

[Sheep In Wolf's Clothing]

I am a big fan of Marton Mills. I have purchased some material from them (Wool) and was very impressed with their service. They also send swatches to people who request them. I would not hesitate to do business with them again. That being said, talk to the companies on this board that do use their material. It is very high quality. Though I have never seen one in person, I have only heard great things about CCK and USAK. I have suggested them to friends looking for kilts, and will do so in the future.
Good luck on your kilt quest,
Sara