sources for fabric for us home-builders

[Alan H]

OK, I've decided that my first kilt will be a tartan after all. Black makes sense, but the world at large is accustomed to dealing with plaid tartans/kilts, and black might be too radical. Eh, what, radical?

Not me.

ANY-way. Black will probably be my second or third kilt.

OK, so I'm looking for a source of reasonably priced tartan materials. 100 % wool, even midweight wool isn't gonna do it, not for my first tartan. I can't see destroying $300 worth of imported wool, you know? Wool blend or viscose would be good. Anybody got any sources that will sell me 5-6 yards?

Also, I find that I really like the Irish tartans, and I'm particularly fond of the All Ireland Blue. Also, I can wear that one guilt-free, as it's not specific to any particular family name. There's an Irish mill that weaves it in heavy 16 oz wool, and also in 13 oz, but that's a bit much for my pocketbook. Anybody know of any place that produces that tartan in a less pocketbook-damaging material?

BTW, I just picked up a several absolutely gorgeous leather belts and wonderful buckles at a garage saile for fifty cents each. I spent a rip snorting two bucks. These belts are real leather, quite plain, brand spanking new, and gorgeous. I'm set for tartan belt leather for at least three tartans, plus a big, wide black belt.

Alan

[bubba]

You have choices. First, and my recommendation, go to the local fabric shops and check over the clearance stuff. I got some great wool plaid at Hancock Fabrics for $4 a yard and awhile back I found a wool Gordon Dress there. Second, you can get a nice looking MacKinlay tartan from Best Fabric on the web for $5 a yard in ployester/rayon blend, which is easy care. http://www.bestfabric.com/cgi-bin/sh.../SID=131132263 The pic is pretty bad, I have better in my Gallery. It's very nice stuff to work with.