alternative fabrics for first kilt

**yoippari** · 13th August 05, 07:01 PM

I have been looking at various options for a kilt. I considered getting a tartan kilt in Gibbs, Buchanan, or Stuart of Bute. I have relations to all three of these and I like at least one variety of each. I looked at kilt manufacturers like utilikilt, but I dont like the snaps to replace a belt/buckle and sporran. I looked at bear kilt but I don't want to wait a year. I am actually talking to Josh Amos from Neo Kilt and if I use a manufacturer I will probably go with him partially since I have a referance from a couple of members at swordforum (he is a poster there). But I would like to try to get one where I can buy the fabric myself and preferably in a box pleat (works better with 4 yards of fabric than knife pleat, or so I gather from posts here and other sites). Now that I am done rambling about what got me here let me get to the point.

Instead of buying ~$200 worth of buchanan tartan (or other clan) et al, I am thinking I should get a much cheaper fabric and wait a couple of weeks (or months) before getting a "traditional" tartan. So my question is what fabric should I get that is basicly plaid but not a tartan (plaid refers to any of the worsted wool fabrics, right?). I have seen tweed for kilts, I think twill kilts, and canvas (though it isnt wool). I found something called serge which, like tweed, is a type of twill. I read something that says it is naturally flame resistant (or something like that). So is this basicly a fire blanket? By the way, flame resistant would be nice as I am in the process of building a charcoal forge and I would like to be able to have that breeze when standing around a fire that can burn iron (as in lessen the amount of iron, not just carbon) out of steel. Is anyone familiar with this fabric?

I know that poly viscose is a popular low(er) cost fabric for kilts but I have a dislike of "plastic" clothes. It is not out of the question but I want to explore other options first.

**James** · 13th August 05, 11:12 PM

Serge--the old British Battle Dress was made of this material-very tough-very fire proof and closely related to sandpaper when first worn.

It might be a bit too thick and unwieldy for a kilt-to take the pleats etc.

However if I may use the 'S' word, it would maqke a superb tough all weather practical man's skirt.

James

**yoippari** · 14th August 05, 12:02 AM

I don't think I'm ready for a skirt. If I mention kilt to anyone (friends, family) they ask, where would you wear it? any special occasion? I'm not even sure how they would respond to a skirt, and my dad, I don't think he would respond.

billmcc · 14th August 05, 11:27 AM

Yoippari,

Your definition of "plaid" is incorrect. For a good explaination of the terms "plaid" and "tartan" read this thread:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=12420

I don't know of any flame resistant fabrics suitable for a kilt, but I do like my pv Casual from USA Kilts. I am no cloth expert but, in my opinion, PV does not look or feel like a synthetic material.

**LordDamax** · 14th August 05, 01:22 PM

As for snaps replacing the 'belt/sporran' on a utilikilt... if you DONT wear a belt with a UK it'll fall around your ankles (or at least sag funny), the snaps only hold the apron closed and in a proper position. As for the sporran... wear one anyway.

**yoippari** · 14th August 05, 02:22 PM

Ok, so plaid can be any material that is basicly a blanket that can be worn as a robe or skirt of some kind. Oops, I said the "s" word

.

I'm not so worried about whether it feels like a synthetic material but what it does when it gets hot. It melts... to your skin. Besides being a waste of money for a nice kilt that will be destroyed, just like any other non heat resistant material, it would have longer lasting problems than just leaving you with out a kilt on. If I can't find a practical, heat resistant material that will withstand scale and the odd ember bouncing off of it (or sometimes sticking to it), then I simply won't wear it near a forge.

The scale itself is not THAT hot by the time it lands on something. When it hits my arm the pieces are really small, like a millimeter across, and so it only leaves a small welt behind. The kilt might be a bit more exposed to the scale than my arm due to how low it is.

**bubba** · 14th August 05, 02:52 PM

How bout a leather RKilt?

**yoippari** · 14th August 05, 03:11 PM

Because I don't have that kind of money. I also don't want to spend that much on my first kilt, even if I could spare $750CND ($618USD).

**bubba** · 14th August 05, 05:15 PM

For practical purposes you'll want at least a full front leather apron working at a forge or anvil. Clothing under that the best material is wool since wool isn't flamable. There's a blacksmith in my area and his choice is wool trousers and a heavy cotton shirt. Your best bet is a wool kilt and leggings for working at a forge.

**yoippari** · 14th August 05, 05:50 PM

So a heavy wool will not get holes in it from stuff like scale or embers like you might get close to a camp fire? A leather apron is not always practical. During the summer months a tank top and jeans are often prefered. I do have a sheet of leather that just needs to be cut and have straps attached to make a apron. However the leather only reaches from my knee caps to my lower chest.

Originally Posted by bubba

For practical purposes you'll want at least a full front leather apron working at a forge or anvil. Clothing under that the best material is wool since wool isn't flamable. There's a blacksmith in my area and his choice is wool trousers and a heavy cotton shirt. Your best bet is a wool kilt and leggings for working at a forge.