Tartan Fabric-> ALL MAKERS!

[MacWage]

I am beginning to make my own kilts and would like to know good sources for tartan fabric, wool, blends, cotton, visc., (canvas?) etc.

I would like kilts in tartan with some in worsted wool, some cotton (for my Southern heritage), and some washable wool-esque stuff. A choice of REAL TARTANS is important to me. So far, all I can find are worsted or Scottish Weaver (of Charlotte, NC) 11 oz. cotton. Are there other options?

What companies sell it?
How much a yard?
Do they sell to non-pros?
Is it any good to decent weight kilts (compared to 16 oz wool)?
Does it pleat well?

Any assistance is GREATLY appreciated!!!!!!!!

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Macwage, I may be mistaken, but you are asking much of the kiltmakers that post here. You are asking if they will share there sources of kilt material with an amateur/new competittor. I think that most would respond to polite, private inquiries about the source of a particular tartan, but you should be tracking down suppliers on your own if you are expecting to make kilts for sale.

I admit my opinions may be completely off-base since I am not a kilt maker, but they feel appropriate to me.

[MacWage]

NO! Not trying to be a competitor, just seeking help.
that's all!

If someone posted:
I work with a mill that makes great kilting blends. Email me and tell me what your looking for, I'll see what they have.

I'd be happy.

I know Matt (who I've met) and Bob Martin and Barb (whose books I have read) seem like great people who are encouragers of kiltmaking in general. I don't mean to insult or steal anything. Middleman brokers I can work though are fine. I like in the deep south. VERY FEW fabric stores here carry wool, PERIOD, much less wool that is kilt appropiate, fell and visually. I know of two. One in Abbeville, which has 2-4 tartan-ish wools and one in Gatsonia, NC (which is seasonal). Thus, I just don't have much access except by internet, which is difficult to impossible to feel the hand and look of a fabric or know if it has the right pull, is workable, or moves/swings right.

If kilts were in Polarfleece, I'd be in hog-heaven, but wool is virtually no where to be seen.

My intent is to learn from the vast knowledge on this forum and self ANY experienced kilt maker (of trad. or mod. kilts) is able or willing to help find real tartans in any kilt-appropriate materials besides worsted (which I can find plenty of).

THAT was my intent, nothing else. NOT to betray trade secrets. NOT to bypass anyone. NOT to "screw" anyone.

From the number of views, others are interested too.

So, is there anyone out there in this virtual realm that can help me find decent materials I can buy (through them even) so my home-made kilts are not embarrasing to other kiltwearers.

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

[herminator]

I buy my tartans here:

http://www.martonmills.com/index.htm

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Macwage, I was not trying to be too strong. I just was not sure of your intent. One problem you might run into is that most kilt makers are ordering tartan in larger quantities than I would expect an individual could handle for just one kilt. I know that some of the posts have referenced multiple 10's of meters for an order. Fairly costly, and you would have quite a bit left over, unless you wanted 8 kilts in the same tartan. Might work if your weight fluctuates drastically!

I think that LochCarron might have some smaller leftovers as well, but don't have the link off hand. The Celtic Croft, see link at top of the page, right hand side, also weaves their own tartan and they offer it for sell in managable quantities.

Also, Matt can get single kilt quantities in almost any tartan, maybe you can work something with him.

Good luck!

[Colin]

Also try Fraser & Kirkbirght they do the Xmarks tartan and Gordon is a member here. http://www.wooltartans.com/tartans5.htm and their US site http://www.thescottishweaver.com/

The remenants section is updated monthly and has a lot of good finds for the DIY kilter.

For the record, must of us know the majority of sources used by the kiltmakers, so they are not having to reveal any sources that have not already been brought out into the open numerous times. If a company has a source ththat has not been mentioned numerous times, it is their choice to reveal it or not.

[MacWage]

Macwage, I was not trying to be too strong. I just was not sure of your intent. One problem you might run into is that most kilt makers are ordering tartan in larger quantities than I would expect an individual could handle for just one kilt. I know that some of the posts have referenced multiple 10's of meters for an order. Fairly costly, and you would have quite a bit left over, unless you wanted 8 kilts in the same tartan. Might work if your weight fluctuates drastically!

I think that LochCarron might have some smaller leftovers as well, but don't have the link off hand. The Celtic Croft, see link at top of the page, right hand side, also weaves their own tartan and they offer it for sell in managable quantities.

Also, Matt can get single kilt quantities in almost any tartan, maybe you can work something with him.

Good luck!

The small quantities is one reason I am seeking for people who have remnants (sp?). I have tried the 4 yard box pleat kilts favored by kilt experts and frequent wearers Newsome and Martin. For such, I only need 2 yards of double width (56-60 inches) fabric. I am interested in various tartans, especially of the price is right. I am looking for a royal blue and red tartan, as well as a red and navy one (to go with my Atlanta Braves and reproduction mid-late 50s Atlanta Crackers baseball jerseys -> Yes, the Crackers was a real team, which won 22 championships from 1895-1965, the best record in the minors and second -only to those Yankees- best in all baseball. It was also the ONLY attempt to integrate the Southern Association league-in 1954, against the law in many states, - and played the first inter-racial games in the segregated states in 1949, in a direct challenge to the grand dragon of the Klan, who threatened to blow up the ballpark, WINNING 1 of 3 exhibition games against Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers. But enough about that . . .). There are several must have clan tartans and number of other I would like due to high respect for friends, historical persons, and miitary units, and some that I simply think are pretty.

(If anyone has a random 2 yards laying around I may like, send a private message.)

ALL my kilts are for personal joy and I direct interest to other MUCH more experienced makers, especially those who have helped me improve my own skills.

Thanks to any and all links to sellers of remnants! THIS IS GREAT! (and my intent)

[elijah]

I use http://www.thescottishweaver.com

[Alan H]

Rocky, remember those swatches I sent around when we were looking into who might weave the first run of X Marks tartan? That was N. Bately's stuff.

Their polyviscose is nothing as good as Marton Mills, not even close. It's got to be about 7-8 once at best, and the selvedge is awful.

Their weight classifiactions were way off, I think all the kiltmakers commented on that. Their "16 ounce" was more like a 13 ounce, their 13 was more like an 11. The kilitng selvedges weren't even as good as what I'm seeing from Fraser and Kirkbright. Folks did like th quality of the material, away from the edges, though.

In my experience, Bately, as a company was communicationally dysfunctional. But that's just my experience....

Those are hard words, but that's what I remember.

[RockyR]

Elijah,

The Scottish Weaver (aka Peter Wilson) is the US rep for F & K. Not everyone knows that, so I figured I'd clarify it for ya'.

Rocky, remember those swatches I sent around when we were looking into who might weave the first run of X Marks tartan? That was N. Bately's stuff.

Their polyviscose is nothing as good as Marton Mills, not even close. It's got to be about 7-8 once at best, and the selvedge is awful.

Their weight classifiactions were way off, I think all the kiltmakers commented on that. Their "16 ounce" was more like a 13 ounce, their 13 was more like an 11. The kilitng selvedges weren't even as good as what I'm seeing from Fraser and Kirkbright. Folks did like th quality of the material, away from the edges, though.

In my experience, Bately, as a company was communicationally dysfunctional. But that's just my experience....

Those are hard words, but that's what I remember.

Hey Alan... this is no reflection on you and ALL the work you did getting this whole XMARKS tartan thing going. Please don't take offense to these comments...

If you remember, I didn't speak negatively about Batley. Since I wasn't getting material and you wanted to go with F & K, I went with it. I actually use Batley on a regular basis and personally think they're head and shoulders above F & K.

I agree that Batley's PV was (is) crap, but their wool is fine! As a point of clarification, they only HAD 11 oz (they call it "Cuillin") and 14 oz (they call it Torridon) wool. They NOW have (beginning this past January) a 16 oz category, but at the time you got the swatches, they were only 11 and 14 oz. Also, I'm not sure why you think their selvedge edges were poor, but they're MUCH better than the ones I've seen on F & K's Xmarks tartan.

As to the comminication issues... I've not had a problem. I email them and receive answers immediately (especially about bills I owe them ).

I'm not trying to rip on any particular company or anything... I'm just making observations I've noticed through dealing with several different mills. Honestly, I have no vested interest in where the next batch of Xmarks tartan comes from as I'm not on the list of those getting the material. I'm just trying to get the people here the best material for the money.