8oz PV for games/casual?

**Joshua** · 25th February 11, 11:49 AM

Is 8oz PV too light for making a casual kilt? Would it require a much finer/heavier pleat to add weight to the garment?

I ask because I've found some 8oz fabric that I wanted to DIY a kilt with.

Keep in mind I do live in Florida and lighter fabric is usually a very good thing, but surprise gusts are not... even in my 11-ish oz. acrylics I have still been Marilyn'ed a few times.

EDIT: Question Part 2 - If it did seem to be a good thing, is there a kiltmaker on board that would take on the project of a 7-8 yard 8oz PV for a highland games athlete?

**Whidbey78** · 25th February 11, 01:17 PM

I'm not an expert, but in my kiltmaking experience thus far 11-12 oz is just about as light as you want to go under most circumstances. You could back the material with another fabric in the 6-10 oz range to add a bit of heft, but that's just adding a lot of work. It won't be as good as a heavier fabric afterward anyway. It's probably not worth the effort. I'd say hold out for a good deal on a heavier fabric. If you already have the cloth it's not totally useless. A lighter weight fabric has a lot of good uses, but IMO kilting isn't one of them. It would probably make a nice ladies skirt though.

**T-Bone** · 25th February 11, 03:08 PM

I would suggest ordering a lightweight PV from one of the advertisers here.

T

**Joshua** · 25th February 11, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by T-Bone

I would suggest ordering a lightweight PV from one of the advertisers here.

T

The tartan I want isn't carried by any vendors and isn't made by MM. Thanks for your suggestion tho... I've been barking up that tree for quite some time.

**Hothir Ethelnor** · 25th February 11, 04:51 PM

where are you trying to source your cloth. I have worked with some Canadian PV and Marton Mills and although I was able to make a decent kilt out of off-brand cloth it was prone to pilling and didn't stand up to much.

I'd not recommend it but it is doable.

**Joshua** · 25th February 11, 05:20 PM

This is a fabric marketed as "Poly Viscose" but it isn't (as far as I know, hell it actually could be) marton mills - although it does say "Made In Scotland" - it is being sold by Sears, of all places...

It's 8oz p/v in Davidson... double width. Honestly though, it would make a decent belted plaid skirt for my wife if she wanted to do ren faire stuff... so I'll probably still get it.

**Chas** · 27th February 11, 08:36 AM

Made in Scotland - can't be Marton Mills then, they are in Yorkshire.

Marton Mills
Pool Mills
Pool in Wharfedale
Otley
West Yorkshire
England
LS21 1TA

T +44 (0) 113 284 3364 (UK Local rate 0845 090 8121)
F +44 (0) 113 284 3044

email:web@martonmills.co.uk

Regards

Chas

**MacMillan's son** · 27th February 11, 09:55 AM

Here is a link to an ebay tartan supplier "Myclantartan" with high ratings.

http://shop.ebay.com/myclantartan/m....id=p4340.l2562

He is also a member here on Xmarks. Most of the tartan he carries is lightweight and may give you the best of both worlds. His prices are quite reasonable, albeit for 11oz wool. He also has a number of not so common tartans. I recently purchased some Shetland tweed from him and had a very good experience.

Good luck!

**xman** · 27th February 11, 12:05 PM

I have some 11oz 'Canadian' PV tartan here now which I was going to make kilts from, but it's a little lighter even than Marton Mills' cloth so I'm thinking now of skirts for my wife/nieces etc. One thing about it is that it is a little bit sheer. I would worry that the 8oz would be far too see through for your needs not to mention whispy in the wind. you may not be completely happy with the tartans offered by MM, but I suspect you would be less happy with a substandard garment. I'd suggest that you try and find something from MM that you can tolerate first. Maybe you could branch out into something a little more experimental for your second.