total weight of a kilt

[egreen_1979]

Hello all,
New to the forum and gained so much knowledge in my time here reading everyones posts. I recently purchased my first 13oz 8yd and I was wondering what the average total weight of a kilt this size would be. I weighed mine on a digital scale and it came to 2lb 14oz. I was sorta surprised, figuring it would be closer to 6lbs. I realize less than 8yd were used (never took the time to measure it accurately) considering I have a 34" waist.

Any thoughts on this?

Thanks,
Eric

[davidg]

The weight is traditionally specified as ounces per linear yard. So, eight times 13 is roughly what you will get if you have 8 yards of tartan. However, the 8 yard kilt you have is really only FOUR yards because it has been split down the middle. So the new maths is 8 x 13 / 2 = 3.25 lb which is only 6 ounces different to what you weighed

Why the difference? Well, the length of the kilt may be less than full half width to start with and that will lose a good few ounces. Then the buckles will add some. Finally, your weighing equipment is unlikely to be absolutely correct. But not far out though and no surprise as long as this is wool

[Chas]

David - beat me to it!

Hi Eric and welcome.

Regards

Chas

[Paul Henry]

David beat me to it but just to add... the weight of kilt fabric is normally taken as a linear yard by the double width of cloth, so that means essentially 4 linear yards will equal 8 yards for a kilt. However, and it is a big however , depending on how the kilt is made, the final weight could be much greater, allowing for the canvas, linings, and buckles and straps, or perhaps even lesser if it is a short drop length of kilt.And also a kilt labelled 8 yards might not actually be that exact measurement, as it means"about" 8 yards are used, which is largely determined by the size of the sett of the tartan.
But it doesn't sounds to be so wrong to me

[Peter Crowe]

Hi Eric,
I cannot add anything that David has not already said, except from extending my own welcome to XMTS, from a Scots expat in Massachusetts.

[Father Bill]

Indeed! Welcome to the Great Rabble!

[fluter]

I made a 13-ounce/8 yard with an overall length of 25 inches. It's just about 3 pounds "on the hoof."

Just a wee bit was trimmed from each end, so it's very close to 4 yards worth of fabric. The left-over piece from the lengthwise split is about 7 inches x 4 yards. I don't think that i ever weighed that piece, hmmm; now I'm curious.

Even when a mill produces single-width cloth, we still refer to the weight as if it were double width. E.g. 16-ounce fabric might be 8 ounces per running yard. Often the weight is also specified in grams per square meter.

[ForresterModern]

If you are curious as to how much length of tartan was utilized in the making of your kilt just measure along the lower selvedge of the kilt itself, remembering to add about 6-8 inches in for the doubled over fringed front apron edge and then a little bit more for the waistband and buckle loops. Most of my "8 yd" kilts come in somewhere around 7.25-7.75 yards, although one actually comes in at 8.2 yards, and a couple others that were made from 8 meters(3+ extra inches of fabric per yard so more like 8.75 yards) of fabric also come in at 8 yards or somewhat over, the biggest at 8.6 yards (very efficient usage of all the available tartan). And being a tall guy at 6'5" with a total kilt length of 26 inches you can bet those babies weigh in at well over 3 pounds a piece. And I know it every time I strap one on.

jeff