Cutting turnout fabric?

**Taygrd** · 17th November 10, 07:02 AM

Sounds like it has kevlar in it so it my be a PBI blend or the like. Post a pic of the fabric and I will see if the fabric can be identified since there are several out there. I think contacting the manufacturer is the best bet, or you can do an online search for companies that repair bunker gear and ask them. Cowboy Cleaners in San Antonio, TX is one.

**Foyt20** · 17th November 10, 07:34 AM

If the inside of the building is reaching 1000 degrees, the person inside the turnouts is probably cooking, and trying their darndest to get the heck out of the structure.

I would try contacting a turnout maker, and see if you can mark the fabric, and have them cut it for you.

Kevlar is a crazy material.

**techdragon** · 17th November 10, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by Jerry

If you can't cut, it seems to me that it would be very difficult to pleat and sew. I would also guess that a finished kilt would be very heavy.

Oddly enough... that isn't the case. The fabric itself is medium weight - definitely less thick, rigid and heavy than my heavy weight cotton. It has a nice movement to it and even a little swish. The physical weight of the five yards is about 2.5lbs.

I think it will pleat up nicely once I can figure out how to cut it effectively. I am going to call the manufacturer today to see what they suggest.

-Jeanie

**techdragon** · 17th November 10, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by Taygrd

Sounds like it has kevlar in it so it my be a PBI blend or the like. Post a pic of the fabric and I will see if the fabric can be identified since there are several out there. I think contacting the manufacturer is the best bet, or you can do an online search for companies that repair bunker gear and ask them. Cowboy Cleaners in San Antonio, TX is one.

I still have the tag from the fabric - Millenia 7.5oz. 60"w/ Super S.T.

Here is a poor cell phone photo of the damage to it as we tried to cut a scrap.
http://yfrog.com/n5lpjcij

**Whidbey78** · 17th November 10, 09:04 AM

You need a lightsaber.

There are scissors specially made for cutting kevlar blend fabrics. The lower blade is kind of serrated and actually holds the fabric while the upper blade does most of the cutting. I used them in the navy. We also had quilted nomex all over the aircraft flight station(and in our PPE which is horrible to deal with). I'd bet nomex is one of any number of materials in the fabric, but it cuts fairly easily...I have a harder time with cutting light cotton than I ever did with nomex. I don't miss wearing that stuff, that's for sure.

TenCate doesn't say what the blend is beside kevlar on their site.

There are several companies making shears for cutting kevlar based fabrics, and they aren't terribly expensive. The only problem is that other things in the fabric could be tough enough to ruin those shears too. I haven't kept up on advances in that area for about five years since I don't work with it anymore and I'm sure that there is some crazy super tough stuff out there.

**ljarvis** · 17th November 10, 09:15 AM

I am working on getting the Fabric to have the same thing done. The fabric has kevlar in it. That is what is used to make bullet proof vests. The bag pipe band in the Indianapolis In fire department has this type of kilt. From what i understand they have some lady in florida that makes them for the guys. I dont think sewing will be a problem just cutting. Also i dont think that heat would be a good way to cut the fabric. When it gets very hot it gets brital. It chars and that is part of the way that it adds protection to the fire fighter in very extream conditions like a flashover or a back draft. Most of this fabric is fairly light in weight. It is the outside part of a three part system that protects the fire fighter. Below this outside fabric is a thermal liner and a vapor liner. All together they provide the protection. The kilt will only need the fabric that is on the outside so it will not be to heavy.

**Harold Cannon** · 17th November 10, 10:09 AM

ljarvis is totally right about the heat deal! You may want to try a pair of inexpensive EMS shears. They can be purchased at almost every medical supply place or if you are good friends with an EMT or firefighter they can usually get you a pair. They are amazing! You can cut a penny and then cut very fine fabric with no problem. I have a few sets around the house being a firefighter myself and use them for everything even leatherwork when im making sporrans.

**Taygrd** · 17th November 10, 10:12 AM

Heat is definately not the way to go since it does get brittle and turns black/brown. It also looks like it has "rip-stop" in it as well so you may not be able to make a "fringe" on it. Southern Mills made it and it has been discontinued since there have been advancements in FF gear. I called a friend who sell rescue equipment. Looks like the kevlar cutting shears will be your best bet or some type of heavy duty EMS trauma shears. I have cut turnout cloth with that before and they are fairly cheap and disposable. Post picks when you complete it please.

**T-Bone** · 19th November 10, 08:11 PM

You might try kitchen shears. I've used them for cutting Amsteel cord when all else failed. Being serrated aides in their cutting effeciencey.

The EMT shears as mentioned above would be another choice of mine...it seems that all new EMT's use them for cutting pennies in half.

**techdragon** · 22nd November 10, 09:44 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I ended up doing pretty well on the cutting with my husband's metal shears and my serger - I think I dulled the blade pretty darn good though

Here are some of the finished kilt photos - There are more up on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/altkilt/ for those who are interest (and I hope to get a few back from my customer when he gets it). He mailed me old hardware that was cut off of gear they were throwing out so that is where the cross latches and the key clip came from. I went with an asymmetrical design for the pockets and front apron and then used reflective tape to match the uniforms.

Thanks again,
Jeanie