11-ounce kilt question

[Moosedog]

Hello, All,

The Scotland Yard offers both 4-yard and 8-yard kilts in 11-ounce worsted. Does anyone own one, or have made a similar one? I am curious about how the 11-ounce works up and how they pleat them, etc. The description says "4-inch pleats" on both of them...I assume this is the depth of the pleat.

I'm not looking for a debate on weights necessary for a "proper" kilt...I am a fan of the heavier weights and for light weight usually go with P-V, I'm just seeking info on other's experiences with the 11-ounce wool in a kilt.

Thanks,
Moosedog

[BEEDEE]

I have two kilts made in 11oz wool from Fraser and Kirkbright. One knife pleat, the other a box pleat. No problems (so far) with the knife pleat but I do have wind lifting problems with the box pleat. Be careful rounding corners in a strong breeze!!.

Brian

[Moosedog]

Great, Brian, thanks for the feedback. Might I ask: what is the rough yardage in your kilts? And the pleat depth? Did you use any special construction methods (e.g. more reinforcement at pleats) because of the lighter-weight fabric. Oops, I realize I am full of questions today...please answer only if convenient.
Thanks,
Moosedog

[Riverkilt]

Hey Moosedog,

My very first hand sewn traditional kilt was an 11 ounce Macdonald Lord of the Isles Hunting from Lochcarron Mills sewn up by Kathy Lare of Kathy's Kilts www.kathyskilts.com

She told me that the 11oz is usually reserved for the lady dancers, but that it also made a good kilt. I've had it over two years and no problems.

No clue how many yards she used to sew it up for my massive girth, but the pleats are 2 1/2 inches wide and 3/4 inch of each pleat shows. If that makes sense.

Bottom line, 11 ounce is lighter than the heavier weights, but it still makes a great man's kilt and if you move your tail around it's gonna swing beautifully.



What pleats? The digital camera does struggle with a busy tartan...

Ron

[BEEDEE]

Great, Brian, thanks for the feedback. Might I ask: what is the rough yardage in your kilts? And the pleat depth? Did you use any special construction methods (e.g. more reinforcement at pleats) because of the lighter-weight fabric. Oops, I realize I am full of questions today...please answer only if convenient.
Thanks,
Moosedog

Bear in mind I have a 46"waist at the navel. I bought 6meters of double wide cloth, used virtually all in the knife pleat and about 5 meters for the box pleat. Machine sewed both kilts. Knife pleat has 3/4 in reveal and 2in pleats - 26 pleats in all. Box pleat has 11 pleats - ea 2 3/4 in. both kilts have deep reverse pleats on the apron side and 8 in fold over on the fringe side to provide more weight.



Hope this helps.

Brian

[Mark Keeney]

I have a few kilts that are made from 11oz. material. The are all 8 yard traditional wool kilts. They do have a good swing and are very comfortable. I would be very careful in very strong winds.

[James MacMillan]

OK - I have 19 kilts now, and one on order, but I never have completely grasped the concept of cloth weights.

How do you determine the weight of the cloth?

Is there some wierd formula? Or do you cut a square meter, foot, or yard and actually weigh it?

I have PV's in two weights. I think of them as haevy and light. I have wools in the same - heavy and light.

So I really don't know if I have 11 oz, 16 oz, 44 oz or what?

Could somebody de-mystify the process?

[Woodsheal]

I have an 8 yd. traditional from the KiltStore.net in 11 oz. Forde tartan. I love it! Comfortable in warm or cold weather, and the swing and look of any other 8 yd. kilt. Pleat depth is not dependent upon fabric weight, but overall yardage, sett, etc....

[Pleater]

I believe the weight of the cloth is ounces to one yard of the cloth as woven - so the width of the cloth would have to be taken into account.

Although we buy all fabrics in metres, I would assume it is weight per yard if it is given in ounces.

If the weight is given in grams then I would assume that it is the weight of a metre. It is not usual to mix the two systems.

[Riverkilt]

If I remember correctly its ounces per square yard, which eliminates the width worry.

Me, I just learn the "hand" (how it feels) of each weight. Its obviously pretty tough to tell the difference between a 14 oz and a 16 oz but easy between an 11 oz and a 16 oz.

Ron