Fabric specifications

**funlvnman** · 22nd July 08, 06:50 PM

Hi Gang,
What does the "oz" specification mean in regards to a kilt? I assume it is something similar to the "threads per inch" used for fabric.

Thanks
Rich

**McMurdo** · 22nd July 08, 06:54 PM

oz=ounces as in 13oz wool 16oz wool etc.

**funlvnman** · 22nd July 08, 07:01 PM

Thanks McMurdo, I guess I didn't ask a clear question. I knew oz is an abbreviation for ounce. I'm looking for a definition of how ounces is used when specifying a kilt. Does it mean 8 oz per square foot? or something like that.

Usually when I am trying to be specific, I use the tried and true units of "Whatnoughts per fortnite"

Thanks again
Rich

**ChattanCat** · 22nd July 08, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by funlvnman

Thanks McMurdo, I guess I didn't ask a clear question. I knew oz is an abbreviation for ounce. I'm looking for a definition of how ounces is used when specifying a kilt. Does it mean 8 oz per square foot? or something like that.

Usually when I am trying to be specific, I use the tried and true units of "Whatnoughts per fortnite"

Thanks again
Rich

oz of a tartan material is the weight for a piece 36" long by 60" wide. A 16oz tartan material will weigh 1 lb for a piece of material that is 60" wide x 36" long (1 yard)

Hope this helps,

**The Wizard of BC** · 22nd July 08, 08:51 PM

Please remember that this system is by no means the standard or universally used.

Some weavers use a one method and some use another method. It is always best to ask.

The 60" width we talk about is approx the width of a bolt of fabric. Some are a little wider some a couple inches narrower. I've seen fabric as narrow as 54" and as wide a 63".

This amount of fabric is what we call a "Fabric Yard" don't confuse it with a "Kilt yard" This is the length of the piece of fabric it took to make the kilt regardless of it's width. To make an 8 yard Kilt you start with 4 "Fabric Yards"and split it in half. Then you join the pieces and the result is 8 "Kilt yards".

If you do not know the weight of the fabric used in your kilt here is a rough guide to use.

1 Kilt Yard = 2160 square inches
1 square inch =.0074 ounce

Measure the Kilt yardage in your Kilt along the hem in inches. Then multiply that by the total length of the kilt in inches. This will give you the square inches of fabric in your kilt.
Multiply that by .0074 and then divide by 2160. The result will be approx. the weight of your fabric.
Things that will throw off the numbers are the weight of the Straps & Buckles and the hidden canvas and interfacings built into the kilt.

But it's a good rough guide.

**Aldisimo** · 23rd July 08, 02:37 AM

YIKES! I was told there would be no math . . .

**Carolina Kiltman** · 23rd July 08, 01:59 PM

As Spock would say, "interesting" I thought it referred to the weight of the fabric per square yard, not a running yard, but then there is a lot of mis-information floating around. In any case, the higher the number, the weightier the fabric. It seems to me that it would be more logical (per sq yard) as widths of fabric do vary. I have purchased cotton in as narrow as 39" and s wide as 108", all carrying the same weight designation, and they seemed to be of similar weight. Maybe it is different for dress goods, and perhaps wool tartan fabric is a law unto itself.

**Bugbear** · 23rd July 08, 03:34 PM

It looks like one fabric yard is equal to 1.66... or 1 and 2/3 square yards in area, so the fabric weights are being given in square unit measurements if you re-combobulate them...
The Wizard is using 16 oz per fabric yard in his numbers up there.
Seems like everyone just says yard for fabric yard and kilt yard, so it's a little confusing. Hope that helps.