I like asking other questions

[toadinakilt]

So...I was thinking of just going with a nice black denim for my kilt making project...that way if it works, it'll be nice and comfy, and if it doesn't, it'll be nice and not heartbreakingly expensive.

A casual cloth, but in an eight yard kilt. With plenty of swing and sway. I like the idea. But my question is...

What the heck is Bull Denim? I went to denverfabrics.com, and found black heavyweight bull denim. Does this look like a good choice? I know I'd have to sew in the pleats, don't mind doing that...

Anywho. I'm just a newb that doesn't want to be a newb anymore

[Eujeankilt]

What the heck is Bull Denim? I went to denverfabrics.com, and found black heavyweight bull denim. Does this look like a good choice? I know I'd have to sew in the pleats, don't mind doing that...

Jeff at Pittsburgh Kilts uses Brushed Bull Denim. He's got pictures on his page. In fact, I've sent for a few samples because I'm thinking of ordering one. It's a fairly heavy fabric (13 oz?) and he claims it wears well and is very soft.

Dale

[Pittsburgh Kilts]

"Bull Denim": A 3x1 twill weave piece dyed fabric, made from coarse yarns. Weights can vary from 9 ozs/sq yard up to the standard 14 ozs/sq yard. It's basically a denim without indigo!

The softness of the denim I use comes from the brushed finish, not just the weight of the denim.

The "heavyweight" bull denims at Denver Fabrics show a weight between 11 and 13 oz. That will definitely make a sturdy kilt. It will also be a challenge to sew at points where you have more than 6 layers to go through. But it's quite possible.

[The Wizard of BC]

Jeff brought up a very good point about the Bull Denims.

I make kilts from them all the time. Both the heavy weight in 14-16oz range and the medium weight in the 9-13oz range.

If it were not for the over lift of my industrial machine they would not be able to be sewn. for example - When attaching the waistband, there are in places, between 6 and 8 layers of fabric in the pleats. The waistband is 4 layers. There are 2 layers of interfacing. and where you jump a beltloop it adds 4 more.

Those 18 layers add up to, on average, between 3/8" and 1/2" of fabric. My first Bull Denim kilt cost me 6 broken needles on the waistband alone.

Then, when finished, a 2" pleat kilt in waist of 36", hip of 42" and drop of 23" weighs 7.28 lbs.

This kilt looks awsome when first finished. Then you wash it the first time and need to spend 40 min. ironing it back into shape.

Even with 6.68 yards of fabric a bull Denim kilt will not swish. The fabric is just too bulky. It moves much better than a duck canvas one, but nothing like a looser weave wool kilt.

I'm not trying to discourage you from making a Bull Denim Kilt, but I would never attampt to wear one and pass it off a formal wear. (call me a heretic but I think the pic of the UK's with tux jackets is just WRONG!)

If you still want to make a Bull Denim Kilt I will help in any way I can. (and I'm sure Jeff will offer the same) just PM us. I love my Bull denim kilts. I work in them. I wear them much of the time while in the shop. But never with a jacket and tie.

What I'm saying is, know your intended use for the kilt. Know your machine's capabilities. Have fun.

[toadinakilt]

I wasn't intending to wear denim as formal wear. As a musician, I'd probably be slaughtered by all my musician friends, if I didn't beat myself up first

On that note, thanks you guys.

Is there any other casual type fabric that would work on a 6-8 yard traditional style kilt?

I just like the look and feel of traditional types to American casual types.
Well...I take that back. Casual is cool too. But until Jimmy Carbomb (was it Jimmy?) puts together a resource on making casuals, I only have Barb's book and some patterns to go by. And those are Traditional types.

I'm thinking...dark urban camo traditional cut, with some sort of really awesome black leather sporran...

[The Wizard of BC]

Jim may be putting together some referances for Kilts, but what I think you are refering to is the Book to be released some time in 2006 intitled
"The Art of Contemporary Kitmaking"
I am writing it, and Barb T. has agreed to act as editor and publisher.
As a companion work to Barb's book this will deal with machine sewn, Contemporary styled, modern fabric Kilts.

More details will be posted as soon as we have them.