Found possible material for a great kilt

[Raymond]

Hello All,

My name is Ray. I am looking at getting some fabric for my first great kilt and I found a website that sells fabric in bulk.

Here is what I am looking at...

https://www.fashionfabricsclub.com/p...-plaid-suiting

First, this is not an official tartan. I just like the color and I like the price. Here is what the site says about the fabric

Midnight Brown, Black & Ecru Glenplaid Lightweight Stretch Suiting Fabric with Soft Hand Suitable for Dresses, Slacks & Suits 70% Wool 28% Polyester 2 % Lycra 60" wide Hand Wash Cold or Dry Clean

Here is a second bulk cloth that I was looking at...

https://www.fashionfabricsclub.com/p...laid-outerwear

Charcoal, Black & Sterling Muted Plaid Wool Outerwear Fabric Suitable for Capes, Shawls & Jackets 80% Wool 20% Polyester 58-60" wide Hand Wash Cold or Dry Clean

I am assuming that the ends are finished and all I would have to do is "tassle" the two ends and sew them off to prevent them from fraying.

What is your opinion on the fabric, would these do for a great kilt?

I am a newbi to kilts. I also live in Costa Rica and I do not have access to kilts and such. So just running out and ordering one is not something that is practical, nor is having something shipped here to Costa Rica. It is a royal pain.

So please give me your input and let me know.

Ray

[Theyoungkiltman]

I would go with the second choice as you want a "harder" fabric for a kilt and a suiting fabric might be too soft and flexible to hold pleats as you need to have them in a kilt. If you can get anything at all in wool tartan/check that would be your best choice. Another thing to look at is the country of origin. Buying tartan from a reputable mill like dalgliesh or lochcarron will be much better in the long road and does not cost very much when you weigh out the benefits. It sounds as if you plan on making your own kilt, if so the amount you save on tailoring can be put towards shipping, etc... but if it is completely unfeasable for you to buy "real" tartan then go ahead! If you like it that is all that matters.

[Tarheel]

Welcome Raymond. Go with Theyoungkiltman's suggestion. As you are new I will announce you as a newbie and the Rabble will follow suit with, "You are in the right place." Take photos of your progress, don't fear mistakes or questions to these guys and enjoy yourself. Well met from Oxford, Mississippi.

[Raymond]

Hello Youngkiltsman - Thanks for the advise. I was liking that more than the other. It is cheaper too. As for making my own, I need to call the company and see if the weave ends are finished. If they are I can sew down the left and right flaps and then fray them out. Then it is one 8-9 yard piece of cloth that I can pleat myself and strap it on.

Does this sound about right?

Since this is my first and I am a newbi, I don't want to spend lot on a hunk of fabric that will sit and rot away. I figure this is cheap and comfortable enough and the wife likes me in it, I know of a good place to get true wool great kilt for about $300.00

Please let me know if that is a good price or not.

Here is the link to the store -- https://www.etsy.com/listing/1509304...ool-great-kilt

This is my other kilt that I am looking at from UT Kilts

http://www.utkilts.com/ut-deluxe-bla...-utility-kilt/

I wear cargo shorts every day and I would like a general everyday kilt. I work from home and just want some comfort.

What is a good everyday beat around kilt?

Ray

[Theyoungkiltman]

I cannot speak to the quality or value of the Great kilt as I have never heard of the seller. The second fabric you suggested is a great price for a mostly wool fabric. A good everyday kilt would be the economy acrylic from stillwater kilts or if you are confident that you can sew a kilt, a x-kilt can be made from many tough, hard wearing fabrics that you will not worry about dirtying or damaging.

[Benning Boy]

Raymond, if you haven't already done so, scroll down in this forum to the thread about wrapping the Braveheart kilt. You'll learn a lot about great kilts that may help you with your project.

Ebay is always an option for tartan fabric. I occasionally see acrylic tartan by the yard at reasonably low prices. It's probably the same stuff the Pakistani kilts are made of, and would be a good imitation of wool.

[HixwithanX]

I've been down this very same road and my advice is to avoid the suiting! It looks and wears like a lady's dress. Kilt fabric needs some weight to it if it's going to look like "man clothes."

Regards,

[Pleater]

The lightweight suiting fabric is not the right sort of material, you need something with a bit of body to it for any sort of kilt. The Lycra content might be a bit problematic - I have a kilt with Lycra content and it rustles as I walk.

The edges of the fabric - which will be top and bottom for a great kilt, might not be authentic, having a sturdy cord of man made fibre involved in it as reinforcement and locking the weft threads.

You can remove it, which is fiddly but very satisfying if it offends you to have it there. Often it is a contrasting colour and can be rather obtrusive. Other options are to make a rolled edge and hide it out of sight.

I don't believe that you want a Braveheart kilt but a proper great kilt - the Braveheart kilts are small kilts.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Raymond]

The lightweight suiting fabric is not the right sort of material, you need something with a bit of body to it for any sort of kilt. The Lycra content might be a bit problematic - I have a kilt with Lycra content and it rustles as I walk.

Well it is looking like the following is what I will take...

Charcoal, Black & Sterling Muted Plaid Wool Outerwear Fabric Suitable for Capes, Shawls & Jackets 80% Wool 20%
https://www.fashionfabricsclub.com/p...laid-outerwear

I don't believe that you want a Braveheart kilt but a proper great kilt - the Braveheart kilts are small kilts.

Here is what I mean... ( I like this guy, he is funny but has good videos) You gotta hand pleat it then lay down and strap it on.



Let me know what you think of the fabric - it isn't real tartan, but it is cheap and kinda work. Good enough to practice and run around the house in.

Ray

[Orionson]

Personally speaking, I'd go with the Fuchsia Pink Paisley Crepe de Chine.