searching for less costly fabric

[dpc1960]

I have a mind to get a kilt made in this tartan... except it's bloody expensive. Are there companies out there that specialize in re-creating a tartan pattern onto less expensive fabric?,,, and how do I find them?
$65 per yard is totally beyond my means!

http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar...s.aspx?ref=505

[New World Czech]

I have a mind to get a kilt made in this tartan... except it's bloody expensive. Are there companies out there that specialize in re-creating a tartan pattern onto less expensive fabric?,,, and how do I find them?
$65 per yard is totally beyond my means!

http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar...s.aspx?ref=505

Welcome to Xmarks. Yes there are mills that will do a run in PV or Acrylic but the setup fee and/or yardage minimum will end up costing you more. You might as well set your savings goal and go for the good stuff.

[Angstrom]

I work in the inkjet industry, and can tell you that digital printing of fabric is a huge growth market right now. Short runs of custom-printed fabric will soon become much more common.

Weaving is a whole different story.

[Pleater]

The problem with a printed pattern is that it might be off the grain of the fabric.

I made a kilt for myself from a printed plaid, and the lines run all katy cornered on the pleats, because they settle on the grain.

There are fabrics which are a woven pattern and are less expensive - perhaps you could get a kilt in a tartan less closely associated with your family, or one which is generally worn whilst waiting for a bargain to turn up. They do from time to time.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[dpc1960]

thanks all, I have come to the conclusion that I will have to bite the bullet and get the expensive tartan,,,, but the harder part will be finding a local person who can make the kilt for me.

[tulloch]

Get the kilt you want. Don't cut corners. Life is too short. If you smoke, stop and put the money in a jar. At the end of ten months you will have it. If you go to a local pub weekly for a few then stop going for some time. Put the money in a jar. In a few months you will have enough. When you go back to the pub you will realize they have never really seen you before.

Find a kilt maker. Have that person get the fabric for you. They probably get a discount.

You will never regret this. A good kilt is a versatile garment. Take care of it. Wear it for lots of different occasions.

Post photos, please.

[jhockin]

check out this site:

http://www.thescottishweaver.com/

[unclevenus]

Thinking that someone will come out of the wood work with more information for you. I like the Camel. This looks similar to the pattern that Thom(p)son uses. At $65, count your blessings. Mine starts at thirty dollars more than that.

[David Thorpe]

thanks all, I have come to the conclusion that I will have to bite the bullet and get the expensive tartan,,,, but the harder part will be finding a local person who can make the kilt for me.

Sticker shock is very common among those new to kilting. Quality tartan is not cheap, and traditional kilt-making takes many hours of skilled labor.
If you are looking for a less expensive Clan Campbell tartan, Black Watch is an official tartan of the clan and is widely available at many qualities and price points. If it's the colors that are the key factor, Thompson Camel, while not as ubiquitous as Black Watch is still available in a range of fabric options including poly-viscose from Marton Mills. Rocky at USA Kilts can hook you up with at least two different models of modestly priced kilts in this fabric.
If, on the other hand, you are set on the tartan in your link, don't let the locality of a kilt-maker be a problem. Reputable kilt makers, several of whom advertise here on Xmarks, are skilled at working with clients who because of distance they never see in person. They can guide you through the critical process of measuring and produce a kilt which will fit perfectly.

Your serve...

[piperdbh]

I suggest you send a PM to figheadair. He knows just about everything there is to know about tartan, and is familiar with the mills who produce it.