65 Wool 35 Poly Pleating?

**gilmore** · 8th November 06, 05:53 AM

I have a chance to get some material in one of my clan tartans at a good price, but it is 65% wool and 35% polyester. Does anyone have experience in making kilts out of a blend like this? I am especially interested in hearing about how sharp the pleats might be, and how well they would hold up and stay sharp.

Thanks for any information or suggestions.

**auld argonian** · 8th November 06, 06:00 AM

I know that I have a couple of suits in material that's that blend and I've found them to be good wearin' and they stay looking neat even after being packed in a bag for more time than I would like.

I'm just curious about how heavy the material is. The pants of the suits that I mentioned have no problems with the creases holding but the material isn't as heavy as I would expect kilt material to be...did you luck out and find a heavier weight?

Best

AA

**gilmore** · 8th November 06, 06:16 AM

It is said to be 13 ounce, "same weight as a 13 ounce wool." I would guess that is heavier than most pants' wool. Would that be characterized as medium to heavy weight?

**JimB** · 8th November 06, 07:13 AM

Have you got a good source?
I'm having a hard time finding relatively inexpensive fabric in any tartan.

Personally, If I were you, I would jump all over it if the price was right.

**Wulfestieg** · 8th November 06, 08:52 AM

The great kilt I've had for years is a 65/25 blend. Once pleated up, it holds together incredibly well, with nice sharp pleats. I would think that it would make a fine dress kilt material.

**gilmore** · 8th November 06, 09:17 AM

Do you mean 65/35?

**Wulfestieg** · 8th November 06, 12:24 PM

Yeah, 65/35. Silly fingers.

**switchblade5984** · 8th November 06, 02:35 PM

where did you get it! inquiring minds want to know!

**beerbecue** · 8th November 06, 02:36 PM

I have a kilt in 55/45 that does very well....

**Pleater** · 8th November 06, 05:04 PM

I have a wool/poly and although you do need to take care with the temperature of the iron - test a spare bit so you don't melt the polyester fibres, the man made fibre actually seems to help maintain the pleats.

I don't do all the sewing down and shaping of trad kilts, I just press the shape in once the waistline is done, and I was rather pleased by the way a hot press worked on this - and more than once as the kilt has been made smaller twice. I just ironed the fabric at progressively warmer tempertures until the creases came out, did different pleats, pressed them in, and there was no sign of the previous incarnation.

I have a good quality iron which helps a lot with this sort of sewing.