how many PV tartans?

**NewEnglander** · 26th October 10, 02:18 PM

I'm starting to have that kilt itch again. NO, not THAT kinda itch...the itch to buy a new kilt. And as I've started contemplating my options I've been wondering how to find the full list of PV tartans. I believe that our lad Rocky at USAKilts gets his PV from Marton Mills, but their website didn't provide a list that I could find. Anyone have any ideas on how I can find out all of the PV tartan choices out there? (and then whine and beg Rocky to start carrying them)

**Paul Henry** · 26th October 10, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by NewEnglander

I'm starting to have that kilt itch again. NO, not THAT kinda itch...the itch to buy a new kilt. And as I've started contemplating my options I've been wondering how to find the full list of PV tartans. I believe that our lad Rocky at USAKilts gets his PV from Marton Mills, but their website didn't provide a list that I could find. Anyone have any ideas on how I can find out all of the PV tartan choices out there? (and then whine and beg Rocky to start carrying them)

ask and you will receive! Marton Mills PV tartans - Balmoral range

**NewEnglander** · 26th October 10, 02:57 PM

Thank you most kindly, sir. I was looking under "highland" and the few of the names I randomly clicked didn't help.
79 choices! Joy!
Cheers!

**MacMillans son** · 26th October 10, 05:17 PM

Yes, "Schoolwear" on the top bar and then "Balmoral" on the side bar

**RockyR** · 27th October 10, 03:06 PM

MM stocks several that are either small setts or similar to others or are just made up for a particular school.

We carry about 3/4 of their tartans as STOCK and actually have 8 more custom woven for us that they do NOT have in their stock range.

If there's a particular one that they carry that you don't see on our site, drop me an email and I can order a couple yards for a kilt for you.

**NewEnglander** · 27th October 10, 03:46 PM

Thanks, Rocky. That's VERY cool to hear.
I was really just curious about what was out there since I'm such a huge fan of the 2 casual PV kilts I have from you.

**Tartan Hiker** · 5th November 10, 10:58 AM

I was going to start a new thread with this question, but it seems that here is as good a place as any to ask.

I have been wondering why weavers of PV don't just increase the thread counts in order to keep sett size reasonably large. My complaint with most PV fabrics has always been that the sett size is so small (due to the thinner threads) that when made into a kilt it just doesn't look quite right. Why not just add threads? If the thread count for each color were increased by the same proportion, the sett would increase proportionately.

**RockyR** · 5th November 10, 11:28 AM

The main (only) producer of PV tartans in the UK (I can't speak for Pakistan or Chinese weavers b/c we only use UK sources) weaves PV fabric mainly for the School Uniforms market. While we purchase thousands of yards a year, we're only a medium to small sized 'fish' in their tartan PV market. The biggest buyers are schools.

That being said, when making a piece of clothing (trousers, jumper, blouse, etc) from tartan cloth, there is a LOT of wastage b/c the lines must match up on the pattern in certain spots. To keep the wastage down for their biggest clients (schools), the mill weaves the tartans in a smaller sett size.

While it's not ideal, it still makes a nice kilt compared to other "pricepoint" fabrics.

i hope tihs helps to shed a little light for you.

**MacMillans son** · 5th November 10, 05:21 PM

I believe that increasing the sett size by increasing the diameter of the thread would also increase the weight of the material per yard, and thereby the cost per yard. Which would also influence the price point that the primary market (schools) is seeking to hit. Kids typically outgrow uniforms before they wear them out, so there may not be much benefit in the heavier weight material to offset the additional cost.

However that is just a guess.