Inexpensive cloth

[Jerry]

I'm thinking of trying to make a kilt for myself. Since the only sewing experience I have had was sewing on rating badges and ship's patches on my Navy uniforms, I'd like to know what cloth is available that would be both inexpensive and make a decent kilt? I'm interested in learning both traditional and modern kilts.

[bubba]

I usually check the local Hancock Fabrics store. Now and then they have some decent fabric for kilts at cheap prices, 3 to 5 dollars a yard, on clearance.

[Pleater]

Before cutting into a quality fabric you might like to try out your method using a bed sheet - a flat single size will usually give you enough material and you can get a navy or other dark colour, plus the edges are already hemmed.

I have used a 'Habitat' sheet in 100percent cotton. I used some of the spare central strip as the under apron to increase the length of material. I sewed the pleats from waist to hem to keep the crease - a fabric with some polyester can probably be pressed and will keep the fold - but be careful not to overdo the heat as man made fibres go hard when melted. It is better to have the fabric in softer folds which require pressing at intervals than ruin all your hard work.

You might need to practise a bit to get the pleats evenly spaced and well pressed. If you make a cotton kilt first it is something to wear around the house, even if it does not turn out all that smart.

Good luck

[mbhandy]

Hi Jerry,

You might try:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZgoban062302QQhtZ-1

I got some 16 oz blended wool and after I washed it, it will make two nice 5yd. kilts. One for me and one for barter.

MrBill

[Shay]

My first one was McJoann's clearance cotton. Doubled for weight, all in all maybe a buck or two a yard!

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

Joanne's or Hancock's or Wal-mart will probably have some material in a suitable pattern/tartan/solid for a first kilt as a practice run. If you are really good, it will be acceptable for wearing in public, and if not, you won't know on the first one, so you'll wear it in public anyway!

Seriously, you can find some inexpensive fabric at any fabric/sewing outlet. Just buy something you would not mind wearing if made professionally, not made by you. You are looking for cheap fabric that has the POTENTIAL to look nice, your skills are in making it look good when assembled are another matter entirely!

[MacMullen]

KCW, where you been? My MacMullen's Scottish Ale is ready for drinking!

Even if you can't find what you're looking for at McJoann's, it pays to keep checking back. My wife and I checked several days every week for tartan fabric, even drove to other towns with fabric stores - nada - until the day that my wife told me, "If we don't find any fabric today, I won't have time to make the kilt." What did we find at JoAnn's? Exactly 4 and 2/3's yards of Black Watch Poly/Viscose (Rayon), which is the precise amount that she needed. It wasn't there the day before. And only $3/yd, or thereabouts.

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

KCW, where you been? My MacMullen's Scottish Ale is ready for drinking!...

Hey MacMullen, you know how it is, holidays, traveling, family, traveling, more family, traveling, etc.. Was away from any easy internet access, then when I got back last week, I was busy with work, house projects, etc.. Have to see when I can show up at your place for that free beer! Saw your daughter on the other thread and she is a cutie!

Later,
RJI

[Southern Breeze]

I used a inexpensive cotton twill for my first practice kilt. I got it at Wal-Mart.

[minimalistix]

I usually check the local Hancock Fabrics store. Now and then they have some decent fabric for kilts at cheap prices, 3 to 5 dollars a yard, on clearance.

Got some camo. fabric at handcocks for like $1.50 yard that I'm going to try my hand at making a kilt. (Don't tell the tartan police though)