Forgive a Newbie Question, but a yardage query

[J3Piper]

Hi All,

A newbie question from someone who has ordered a copy of The Book but is too curious to wait till it arrives for my answer, please bear with me.

When I purchase yardage in other fabrics, a two-yard piece would be measured along one selvedge edge for a total of 72 inches.

However, when I hear references to say, a "four-yard kilt" are y'all cutting a 72" long piece of fabric that is say, 58" wide in half to then seam them together with the selvedge edges and tartan matching?

Is the "four-yard kilt" referring to the 144" length of the now pieced fabric along the selvedge edge minus the seam allowance and fabric lost to match the tartan, or does the 144" refer to the useable yardage after piecing and matching useable yardage length?

And would 3.5 yards of useable fabric measured at the selvedge length have a chance of providing a good outcome for a kilt with a waist and hip each smaller than 35"?

Thanks for your patience and time,

Valerie

[New World Czech]

Yes for a double width fabric you would cut/ripe and join hiding the join in a pleat. The yardage reference for a kilt is nominal and actual yardage can vary depending upon the waist/hip measurement and tartan sett size you are pleating.

[Pleater]

There are a few tartans which are not symmetrical, so they have to be cut all in one piece so as to have the pattern matching - sellers usually know what they are doing with these, and cut the required length correctly, half the standard width.

A piece of double width fabric 3.5 yards long should be enough to make a kilt, no problem - well, unless the sett of the tartan is a huge size and the piece cut so as to be wasteful.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[J3Piper]

Thanks for the confirmation --just wanted to be sure. I apologize because my first four searches didn't have the right phrase plugged in, so the answer was lurking all along in another section of the form. Ack! A least I am that much closer to being rated "not a spambot" with the additional posts.

Cheers and thank you! The two yards of fabric should be fine once I get the slice and join worked out. Not that I'll purchase the fabric till after i get the book in m hands tomorrow, but....

[J3Piper]

Hi Anne,

Thanks for your input, much appreciated. Two yards of the Texas Bluebonnet tartan should be manageable in this case. If not, I'll have an expensive (but very nice) bagpipe stand cover and the experience that comes from not getting what I expected. <grin>.

[Standard]

Make sure you know when you order if the tartan is single width or double width fabric.

[Pleater]

When you make a 4 yard you do need a heavy fabric - I am not sure what weight the Bluebonnet tartan is made but the shorter the length the more the weight required to get a kilt with the necessary 'oumph'.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[J3Piper]

Thanks for the tip. It's double width, 13 oz., but I need to confirm the size of the sett before I will be comfortable ordering it.

Best,

Valerie

[Off kilt-er dude]

Don't forget that the depth and size of pleats also affects the sexy swing of the kilt! Best of luck to you!

[J3Piper]

I'm partial to kilts pleated to the line for that very reason, but I may go with a box pleat on this one, given the limited yardage. Or I may order yardage with some to spare -- that may be worth the wait instead of wondering if I will have sufficient. The temptation is I have a week off in mid-September to concentrate on this project if I go for the two-yard double width piece right now. Still reading my way through The Book (got it yesterday afternoon) and what a stunning and informative guide! I think it's best if I finish it before deciding on the fabric.

Thanks to all for your suggestions.