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  1. #11
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    I bought a kilts4less kilt a few years ago.

    In my opinion, based on 45 years wearing kilts, and working in a Highland Outfitters, where we had sample books from a number of the major Scottish weavers, where I got very used to the feel of 13oz and 16oz kilting cloth, my kilts4less kilt was not made of "wool" as the term is generally used in conjunction with UK made kilting cloth, that is, 100% wool.

    I am convinced that the "wool" of the kilts4less kilt was a wool/acrylic blend woven in Pakistan or India. This comes from decades of experience handling UK woven wool fabrics and Pakistani kilt fabrics.

    Now, what I don't have any experience with whatsoever (because it didn't exist when I worked in the field) are the modern non-wool kilting fabrics such as are woven by Marton Mills.

    The wool woven for kiltmaking has a selvedge made so that no hem is used.
    Proud Mountaineer from the Highlands of West Virginia; son of the Revolution and Civil War; first Europeans on the Guyandotte

  2. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by OC Richard View Post
    I bought a kilts4less kilt a few years ago.

    In my opinion, based on 45 years wearing kilts, and working in a Highland Outfitters, where we had sample books from a number of the major Scottish weavers, where I got very used to the feel of 13oz and 16oz kilting cloth, my kilts4less kilt was not made of "wool" as the term is generally used in conjunction with UK made kilting cloth, that is, 100% wool.

    I am convinced that the "wool" of the kilts4less kilt was a wool/acrylic blend woven in Pakistan or India. This comes from decades of experience handling UK woven wool fabrics and Pakistani kilt fabrics.

    Now, what I don't have any experience with whatsoever (because it didn't exist when I worked in the field) are the modern non-wool kilting fabrics such as are woven by Marton Mills.

    The wool woven for kiltmaking has a selvedge made so that no hem is used.
    Apart from the hem issue, how can I tell if it is wool?

  3. #13
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    If you have a thread left over, set fire to the thread. How it burns and how it smells will tell you if there is any synthetic fiber involved. Wool will burn slow and have that distinctive odor of burning hair. Synthetics will tend to flash burn and melt or disappear with no ash left over.

    https://www.fabricmartfabrics.com/Burn-Test-Chart.html
    Last edited by Riverkilt; 10th May 20 at 10:23 AM.
    Ol' Macdonald himself, a proud son of Skye and Cape Breton Island
    Lifetime Member STA. Two time winner of Utilikiltarian of the Month.
    "I'll have a kilt please, a nice hand sewn tartan, 16 ounce Strome. Oh, and a sporran on the side, with a strap please."

  4. The Following 2 Users say 'Aye' to Riverkilt For This Useful Post:


  5. #14
    Join Date
    6th July 07
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    Quote Originally Posted by Red1leader View Post
    Apart from the hem issue, how can I tell if it is wool?
    I doubt if I could honestly tell, but Trading Standards-------- for those outwith the UK, an official body who are responsible for goods being what they are supposed to be-------- most certainly would.
    " Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the adherence of idle minds and minor tyrants". Field Marshal Lord Slim.

  6. #15
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    Wool will dissolve completely in household bleach, the chlorine smelling one.

    Anne the Pleater
    I presume to dictate to no man what he shall eat or drink or wherewithal he shall be clothed."
    -- The Hon. Stuart Ruaidri Erskine, The Kilt & How to Wear It, 1901.

  7. #16
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    16th April 20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Riverkilt View Post
    If you have a thread left over, set fire to the thread. How it burns and how it smells will tell you if there is any synthetic fiber involved. Wool will burn slow and have that distinctive odor of burning hair. Synthetics will tend to flash burn and melt or disappear with no ash left over.

    https://www.fabricmartfabrics.com/Burn-Test-Chart.html
    Ok so took a little from the internal edge an sure enough it is Synthetic.

    Here is the description from the site:
    "
    8 yard Ex Hire stock clearance offer ALL one price £99 All Excellent Condition some are as new Priced to clear Various Waist sizes

    Description
    8 yard kilts in excellent or as new condition
    Bespoke leather straps
    Various Waist sizes
    Drops 23, 24″ and 25″ available all small hemm
    2″ adjustment either way on waist straps
    Medium weight wool
    N.B. To measure yourself for kilt waist size, simply take a tape around your middle at 1″ above the line of the belly button, and have it as tight or as loose as you would want to wear it. That’s your Kilt waist size, it can vary somewhat from pants size.
    "

    I guess "Medium weight wool" is not real wool.

    Need to change the title of this thread to My first fake kilt.

  8. #17
    Join Date
    29th July 19
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    Consumer Protection From Unfair Trading Regulations 2008

    Quote Originally Posted by Red1leader View Post
    Ok so took a little from the internal edge an sure enough it is Synthetic.

    Here is the description from the site:
    "

    I guess "Medium weight wool" is not real wool.

    Need to change the title of this thread to My first fake kilt.
    If it’s the main material from which the kilt is made and not the thread used to sew it together, it looks like a ‘Misleading statement that might affect the transactional decision of the average consumer’ (similar to what we used to call a ‘false trade description’). You might want to ask for a refund on those grounds or consult your local Trading Standards service.
    Last edited by Nemuragh; 11th May 20 at 01:44 AM.

  9. #18
    Join Date
    16th April 20
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    I always try to see the bright side and want to give the supplier the opportunity to explain first before involving authorities.

    It may be a genuine error due to the current restrictions

    Here is the result of the burn test, and yes it was from the fabric under the waistband.

    Click image for larger version. 

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ID:	38701

  10. The Following User Says 'Aye' to Red1leader For This Useful Post:


  11. #19
    Join Date
    29th July 19
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    Quote Originally Posted by Red1leader View Post
    I always try to see the bright side and want to give the supplier the opportunity to explain first before involving authorities.

    It may be a genuine error due to the current restrictions

    Here is the result of the burn test, and yes it was from the fabric under the waistband.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_20200511_095214.jpg 
Views:	11 
Size:	91.2 KB 
ID:	38701
    A good way of approaching it. Good luck.

  12. #20
    Join Date
    16th April 20
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    Soke to the supplier by email and they are surprised about the fabric as they have sourced the ex-hire kilts from the same company for many years without issue.
    They have offered a full refund, even with the changes that I have made.

    I am in negotiations with them to see if they can supply enough fabric in the same tartan, straps, and buckles, etc, so that I can make my own kilt.

    I will, of course, need to purchase The Art of Kilt Making but I have been thinking about this for a while and with another 6 weeks of furloughed lockdown I have the time.

    As I say it is always good to talk to the supplier when things go wrong, sometimes you get good customer service as well as a good result

    Will let you know how it goes, need to find the great tome for sale now...

  13. The Following 3 Users say 'Aye' to Red1leader For This Useful Post:


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