Weight of fabric

[Jimmy Carbomb]

Before we go through this again, do a "search" through the general section on material weight. You'll find the definitive thread on the subject.

[RockyR]

It's 1 full yard at the FULL WIDTH OF THE BOLT. most bolts come in 56 to 60 inch widths.

[LordDamax]

That makes no sense though... what if for some reason it's woven at a smaller width? Doesnt change the weight of the fabric or how dense or heavy it is. Now I can see "The weight of 1 yard at 60" wide" but "1 yard at the full bolt width" doesnt make any sense.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

When someone is discussing the weight of kilt cloth (usually 10 oz for light weight, 13 oz for medium weight, 16 oz per heavy weight), they are talking about the weight per linear yard of 54" wide fabric (double width).

Even if the fabric is single width, the weight will still be given as if the fabric were double width. For instance, 28" wide fabric of heavy kilt cloth will still be called 16 oz, not 8 oz.

M

[LordDamax]

Ok, difinitive answer, thanks MAC. 1 yard of 54" wide fabric, weigh it, there is your fabric weight.

[Kiltman]

Mac,
I'm always glad when you weigh in on subjects. I don't always agree, but I always find a reasoned, historically informed answer.
Thanks

[RockyR]

When someone is discussing the weight of kilt cloth (usually 10 oz for light weight, 13 oz for medium weight, 16 oz per heavy weight), they are talking about the weight per linear yard of 54" wide fabric (double width).

Even if the fabric is single width, the weight will still be given as if the fabric were double width. For instance, 28" wide fabric of heavy kilt cloth will still be called 16 oz, not 8 oz.

M

huh... I had read it was the full width of the bolt, but having a "standard width" makes sense. You learn something everyday.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

huh... I had read it was the full width of the bolt, but having a "standard width" makes sense. You learn something everyday.

Well, yes and no....

For instance, in Lochcarron's old cataloges, before they went to weavign all of their heavy weight cloth in double width, they used to have some tartans available double and some single. Their double width, heavy weight cloth, was listed at 16 oz. Their single width, heavy weight cloth, was listed at 8 oz. But the cloth was the same weight. An in parenthesis, they put some kind of note explaining that 8 oz at 28" is the same as 16 oz at 54".

Then take Dalgleish -- their catalog lists 28" cloth at 16 oz, but again, they mean 8 oz at 28" wide.

So, I'd say *technically* weight should be given at the full width of the cloth, but for the sake of clarity, most people assume a 54" width regarless of how wide the cloth actually is.

Aye,
Matt