how much tartan fabric?

**scotchmaster** · 23rd May 11, 01:04 PM

Hey all how much double width tartan fabric would a kilt maker need to make a traditional tank? Their is an auction on ebay for 3.7 meters. I am wondering if this enough it is of 13 oz. Fraser Gathering the only Fraser tartan I don't have a tank in.

**sydnie7** · 23rd May 11, 01:07 PM

That's just over 4 yards. If it is double-width fabric, not a huge sett, and you are not a gentleman of substance, should do the trick for a tank.

**slohairt** · 23rd May 11, 01:08 PM

Depending on your measurements, that should be enough. 3.66 metres is 4 yards. Fraser Gathering (either Hunting or Red) has a sett of 13.9 cm, or a bit under 5.5 inches.

**paulhenry** · 23rd May 11, 01:09 PM

3.7m is probably fine, the idea that a "tank" has to be 8 yards iis exactly that! very few traditional kilts are exactly 8 yards some are more, some are less. Of course it does depend on the size of the wearer and possibly the sett as well, but yes 3.7 will be fine!

**piperdbh** · 23rd May 11, 03:37 PM

You could also have 4-yard kilt made and have some tartan leftover for a half-plaid, Matt Newsome-style.

**Calico** · 23rd May 11, 04:04 PM

8 yards is a general rule to equal a tank, as PaulHenry says it is not a fixed number.

But "tank" also implies 16 oz fabric here on XMarks. 13 oz = medium weight (uparmored humvee, not tank). Again, since we made up the term "tank" we can define it however we want. But it was intended to mean the heaviest (non-military) weight pure Scottish wool in an "8 yd" length, and hand sewn.

Obviously, its use is very flexible, though.