Weigh in on Weights

[The Wizard of BC]

We weigh fabrics for Kilts by the ounces per fabric yard where 1 fabric yard is equal to a piece of the fabric 60 inches wide X 36" long.

1 fabric yard = 2 Kilt yards.

1 fabric yard is also 2160 square inches of fabric. So if you don't know what the weight of the fabric in your Kilt is you can simply measure along the Hem of the Kilt in inches and then multiply that by the total length of the Kilt from top of Waistband down to the Hem.

Then you will need a postal scale or something which will record the total weight of the kilt in ounces.

Let's say that all the planets are aligned and your Kilt has exactly 8 kilt yards of fabric when measured along the hem. That's 288 inches.
Then let's say your Kilt is exactly 24 inches long.
24" X 288" = 6912 square inches.
Now divide by 2160. 6912 / 2160 = 3.2 fabric yards.

Now put your kilt on the postal scale. If it weighs approx. 3.2 pounds your kilt is made from 16 oz. fabric.
If it weighs approx. 2.6 pounds your fabric is 13 oz.
If the Kilt weights about 2 pounds your fabric is 10 oz.

[Geoff Withnell]

We weigh fabrics for Kilts by the ounces per fabric yard where 1 fabric yard is equal to a piece of the fabric 60 inches wide X 36" long.

1 fabric yard = 2 Kilt yards.

1 fabric yard is also 2160 square inches of fabric. So if you don't know what the weight of the fabric in your Kilt is you can simply measure along the Hem of the Kilt in inches and then multiply that by the total length of the Kilt from top of Waistband down to the Hem.

Then you will need a postal scale or something which will record the total weight of the kilt in ounces.

Let's say that all the planets are aligned and your Kilt has exactly 8 kilt yards of fabric when measured along the hem. That's 288 inches.
Then let's say your Kilt is exactly 24 inches long.
24" X 288" = 6912 square inches.
Now divide by 2160. 6912 / 2160 = 3.2 fabric yards.

Now put your kilt on the postal scale. If it weighs approx. 3.2 pounds your kilt is made from 16 oz. fabric.
If it weighs approx. 2.6 pounds your fabric is 13 oz.
If the Kilt weights about 2 pounds your fabric is 10 oz.

Would not a kilt from 16oz material weigh more than 1 lb/fabric yard due to lining, steeking, straps, etc?

Geoff Withnell

[fluter]

Would not a kilt from 16oz material weigh more than 1 lb/fabric yard due to lining, steeking, straps, etc?

Geoff Withnell

Ah, but we also removed part of the fabric in the pleats! So within the bounds of hand-waving approximation, we're close.

The steeking is heavy duty thread. There's a strip of stabilizer (broadcloth, canvas) between the buckles, some hair canvas which is probably close to the weight of the pleat cut-outs, lining is pretty light. Hmmm.

[Geoff Withnell]

Ah, but we also removed part of the fabric in the pleats! So within the bounds of hand-waving approximation, we're close.

The steeking is heavy duty thread. There's a strip of stabilizer (broadcloth, canvas) between the buckles, some hair canvas which is probably close to the weight of the pleat cut-outs, lining is pretty light. Hmmm.

Ahh, we are talking SWAG method here. OK, I'm not a kilt maker, just a kilted engineer, so I was curious.


Geoff Withnell

[fluter]

Ahh, we are talking SWAG method here.

I personally was waving my hands. My approximation of a 13-ounce, roughly 24' x 25" kilt, is 3 pounds. The Wizard, besides being an engineer, probably has better a better scale than I. Come to think of it, I have a better scale than before, I should do it over.

If you haven't perused The Book, I predict that you'd find it fascinating.

[Geoff Withnell]

I personally was waving my hands. My approximation of a 13-ounce, roughly 24' x 25" kilt, is 3 pounds. The Wizard, besides being an engineer, probably has better a better scale than I. Come to think of it, I have a better scale than before, I should do it over.

If you haven't perused The Book, I predict that you'd find it fascinating.

I own a copy! Wonderful!

Geoff Withnell

[fluter]

to tidy up our digression, I wrote:

My approximation of a 13-ounce, roughly 24' x 25" kilt, is 3 pounds. The Wizard, besides being an engineer, probably has better a better scale than I. Come to think of it, I have a better scale than before, I should do it over.

The kilt is in fact 23 feet 3 inches including facings and such, and 45.9 ounces/1300g. So 3 pounds was a pretty good WAG. Like Steve's example, it's about 3.2 fabric yards. Actually weighing my remnant of 3,000 square inches, I make it to be nearly 14 ounce fabric. I had not remembered that it actually is 60 inches wide, I thought it was a few inches less.

A SWK standard, just about 6 yards (therefore 2.4 fabric yards), weighs in at a smidgen under 29 ounces: pretty respectable. It hasn't much internal construction, nor pleat cut-outs; that's basically the rectangle of fabric plus two straps, and the kilt pin I did not remove (blanket pin type from SWK). Two straps, because I removed one.

So to address the question of "delta swing" you'll see considerably more with 8 yards of 13 ounce, and with 16 ounce: just stand back.

[The Wizard of BC]

Let me add just a couple of comments here.

The Polyester/Rayon blend fabric woven by Marton Mills and known as P/V weighs in at 12oz per fabric yard.

The average Acrylic Kilt produced in the middle east averages between 6 and 9oz per fabric yard but is thicker by far than an equivalent weight wool or P/V. Think polar fleece. Light but poofy.




And a note to anyone thinking of a wedding where the Kilt may be worn.

There is one unbreakable, inviolatable rule when it comes to wearing Highland Attire at a wedding.

Never, and I mean never---outshine the bride!!!!

When you start with the Kilt,,add hose,, Ghillies,, Sgain,,Dress Sporran with Silver Cantle,,PC Jacket with Silver Buttons,,Bow Tie,,,Perhaps a Fly Plaid with Silver Brooch....It doesn't take long before the only thing anyone in the audience will notice is the glare off all the bling and the colors and splendor of the Kilt outfit.
And you will spend your honeymoon sleeping on the couch.

Remember, this is her day, not yours. Tone it down as much as possible and let her shine.

[Draelore]

Back to the topic at hand.

I personally perceive modern colored kilts as more formal than ancient or weathered kilts as the bolder colors make a nice contrast with the black jacket. I have also noticed that the heavier the material the nicer the kilt looks to others, so heavier kilts are perceived as more formal.

For a wedding you would probably want the heaviest full (8 yd) kilt that you can afford in the closest tartan to the Brides colors that you can stand after all you will have the kilt for a good long while.

Also, unless most of the bridal party is wearing highland dress, you can get away with being more formal than the occasion would normally allow (e.g. a prince charlie jacket at an afternoon wedding or a Montrose Doublet at an evening wedding). After all you are going to stand out like a peacock amongst the hens, enjoy yourself (just remember that pictures last for decades)