Hemp kilts: wrinkles?

[Alan H]

for you gentlemen out there with kilts made from hemp, what are the upsides and downsides of this material? How does it do in terms of wrinkling?

I have thought about doing one last X-Kilt, and I have some digicamo for it, but I'm inclined to give the digicamo to someone else and make a kilt from hemp.

You know, environmental sustainability and all that.

[Alan H]

BTW, I know there are different weights, weaves and blends with hemp...hemp/cotton/...hemp/silk, etc. so if you happen to know what you've got, that would be great, if you'd let us know when you respond to this thread.

[ccga3359]

Don't own one but have seen enough RKilts, I do have one of his shirts. It's a light but soft canvas. Very rugged, warmer in cool weather, cooler in warmer (than regular canvas I assume). I don't think the selection is availiable due to the US agriculture laws, which is a shame. Hemp Traders is a wealth of info (for a product they sell) and will mail out a swatch.

Note: Wompet has the only hemp RKilt in a natural colour, think sails on a pirate ship, arrgh!

[kilted_brewer]

I have one of Robert's Hemp RKilts that I love. The fabric does wrinkle pretty easily, particularly if you sit on it for any length of time (and sitting at a desk is how I do my job), so I give it a quick press before each wearing. It would probably be ideal for walking and standing uses, long drives or sitting all day less so. But the weight of the fabric seems to match up pretty well with the beefy and tough leather straps and buckles that are also part of this beautifully constructed kilt (thanks, Robert!). Someday, I'd like to have another one in all black hemp (mine is blue--periwinklish--with brown leather). It's a big hit with hemp fans, and other sustainability-types (once they know or guess it's hemp).

[Wompet]

Rob ↑ is right about the wrinkling, but it doesn't wrinkle as easily as canvas or cotton twill.
Grant has the warmth/coolness pretty well described. The kilts are a heavier fabric than the shirts, of course.
Robert uses 100% hemp; I don't remember the exact weight the fabric he used in mine ... I want to say 11 oz but I'm not sure.

Oh, and the real reason my hemp RKilt makes Grant go "arrgh":
The dye on the leather ran a little during the initial washes ... one of the stains looks like lipstick on the hem of my overapron.

[Howard Clark]

I have a hemp R-kilt. It does wrinkle more easily than strome tartan, but not as easily as cotton twill. I like it. I am looking forward to the weather warming up a bit so I can wear it more. I think it is 10-12 oz per yard weight, just by the feel of it. But I could be wrong.

[Wompet]

I thought I noted the weight in my thread, but I guess not.
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/r...x.html?t=22715
I had completely forgotten about the cat ...
Anyway - that's as wrinkled as it gets. A quick wash and line drying gets rid of them though.

[Canuck]

I've been away all day so I will chime in now.
The hemp fabric I use is 10 oz weight. Wompet's is 13 oz.
It does wrinkle but not as much as cotton, It has a good swish and extremely durable. In other words it has a fine hand. I have been caught in a few rain storms and have found that it wicks the moisture away from the body and I don't get cold when it's wet.
When I iron the kilt I put a tablespoon of vinegar in the steam iron, that helps hold the pleats better.
I prefer it it to poly blends because I like natural fibres. As a result it can get messed up. Having said that it does have a bit of a memory like wool and can sort itself out. The 10oz does it far better than the 13oz.
As for weight of leather. the 2.25oz is per square foot 18oz per square yd.
Cheers
Robert

[NancyMan]

I have a Mach 5 in natural hemp. Superbly designed and masterfully executed by Mr. P. This is a very beautiful kilt and definitely stands out in my collection. But I've got to say that it wrinkles like stink and this is likely made all the more glaring by its colour. I've tried to be very careful with my sweep when sitting, but that has availed me naught. This one, alas, needs a pressing prior to every wearing and another half way through the day. Love the fabric, but find the maintenance a chore.

[Alan H]

Hemp/recycled polyester blend, in a twill..

http://www.earthfriendlygoods.com/it...will-10-oz.htm

$17 a yard. I might have to try this. Hopefully the poly blend will help with the wrinkling and drape, but because it's recycled polyester, my enviroconscience will rest easy.

Hmmm.

and get this....bamboo fabric, charcoal twill.

http://www.hartsfabric.com/52015.html

$19 a yard