PV versus Wool

**RockyR** · 5th December 07, 01:17 PM

Originally Posted by Crusty

I think the only way you could make it clearer is if you were standing in front of us with a sample of each fabric in your hand....

Hence the reason I offered to send a swatch out if anyone sends me a SASE. See... we're pretty amenable to help inform consumers...

Originally Posted by Crusty

As long as we're discussing synthetics... I have a kilt that is labeled as viscose/acetate... is there a common American name for acetate, like rayon/viscose?

and is this fabric more like acrylic or PV?

I'd have to see it and touch it to tell you.

**James MacMillan** · 5th December 07, 01:42 PM

Ooooooooooooooo who pushed Steve's button. But he's right.

But, there are also good and bad PV. Cheap fabric, makes for cheap kilts. Good fabric, hadles by a good kiltmaker, can make a good kilt.

Source, conversation, research, questions, more research, talking to customers, reading everything here that you can, will at least make you a smarter consumer.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

**Mark Keeney** · 5th December 07, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Crusty

As long as we're discussing synthetics... I have a kilt that is labeled as viscose/acetate... is there a common American name for acetate, like rayon/viscose?

Acetate is used in America too. Taffeta and some satin and a lot of lining material is acetate. Acetate is strictly dry clean only.

**beloitpiper** · 7th December 07, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by The Wizard of BC

Is that plain enough for you?

But my $30 PV kilt is so terrible!

(ducks for cover)

**slohairt** · 7th December 07, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by beloitpiper

But my $30 PV kilt is so terrible!

(ducks for cover)

But is it PV (Polyester-Viscose) or is it acrylic? Mistaking the two is like mistaking taffeta for satin!

Considering that PV is priced anywhere from $11-$25 dollars per metre I would guess your kilt to be Acrylic.

**cessna152towser** · 5th December 07, 11:48 AM

I'd say PVC is next best thing to wool and the pleats are easy to care for.
PVC kilts are reasonably heavy, compared with say acrylic or polycotton.
They are much harder wearing than my polycotton kilts.
I have two PVC kilts - one bought off the shelf from a retailer in Scotland and the other built by Rocky at USA Kilts. Of the two, the USA kilt is a far better quality finish and looks much smarter.

**Moosedog** · 5th December 07, 01:16 PM

Well, actually, even if your kilt is not made from Marton Mill's PV it can still be made of PV--there's a lot of it out there. But it is probably a lighter-weight PV that most have not found satisfactory for kilts.

Moosedog

**RockyR** · 5th December 07, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by Moosedog

Well, actually, even if your kilt is not made from Marton Mill's PV it can still be made of PV--there's a lot of it out there. But it is probably a lighter-weight PV that most have not found satisfactory for kilts.

Moosedog

correct.

There's actually a Canadian company (not sure of the name) that weaves 8 oz PV in the Canadian tartans (provinces and Maple Leaf). It's VERY light weight.

Batley (mill in the UK) weaves PV, but it's not as nice as MM's and their tartan selections basically double MM stuff, so I buy from the better source.

I have heard of some companies that sell Pakistani kilts that claim their product is PV. I don't know if they are ACTUALLY PV or another synthetic fabric, but the quality is poor.

**Moosedog** · 5th December 07, 02:06 PM

One other note to add--the PV kilts I have (all made of Marton Mills stuff) tend to soften a bit with wear and washing. So the "hand" will change a little over the life of the garment, in case you are looking at swatches, which will be of new fabric.

Moosedog