How would one go about requesting Poly-V in a specific tartan?

[Joshua]

Hi all...

For those who read my intro, you might know I'm into the games a bit and have thrown a little in my past...



That being said, I've recently became the owner of a nice PV SWK and it has helped me realize just how woefully poor my old sportkilt was. Knowing that I can't "have my cake and eat it too" I was wondering... how hard would it be to get one of the PV weavers out there to run a few swaths of Davidson, or *manswoon* Double Davidson, so I could have one of these fantastic vendors out there make me a games-worthy kilt in a tartan associated with my family name, that won't break the bank or make me cry when caber-tacky gets on it?

[Paul Henry]

It won't be easy to get, sorry to say if it is not already in production. Marton Mills produces some of the very best PV tartans, and I dare say they would do a run in a special tartan, but it would be an enormous length, enough for dozens of kilts at least, sorry

[The Wizard of BC]

Josua,

Unless Jerry has changed his manufacturer recently I think the kilt you purchased from him is woven from Acrylic, not P/V.

P/V is short for a Polyester and Rayon blend.

The only weaver of true P/V I would trust is Marton Mills in the UK. I know that their minimum order on a special weave is far less than most mills. I have requested as little as 14 meters double width, or 3.5 kilts worth.

But it is always best to call them and speak to Holly their designer. She is very helpful and willing to go the extra step. This way you are speaking directly to the mill and not a middleman.

From Florida dial 011 for international calls.
Then the country code of 44
Then the number 113-248-3364.

Please remember the time difference. They are 5 hours later than you.

[gary meakin]

If you do find that a minimum is required, you might try getting in touch with the Clan Davidson Society and see if anyone there is looking for a kilt.

[Joshua]

Josua,

Unless Jerry has changed his manufacturer recently I think the kilt you purchased from him is woven from Acrylic, not P/V.

P/V is short for a Polyester and Rayon blend.

The only weaver of true P/V I would trust is Marton Mills in the UK. I know that their minimum order on a special weave is far less than most mills. I have requested as little as 14 meters double width, or 3.5 kilts worth.

But it is always best to call them and speak to Holly their designer. She is very helpful and willing to go the extra step. This way you are speaking directly to the mill and not a middleman.

From Florida dial 011 for international calls.
Then the country code of 44
Then the number 113-248-3364.

Please remember the time difference. They are 5 hours later than you.

Thanks!
I know that my SWK is acrylic. The quality got me thinking, if I had the choice (and I honestly have no choice, but to have a choice since no one makes a synthetic Davidson) between acrylic and PV I would go PV.

Truthfully, I think I could use enough tartan for more than 3.5 kilts, seeing as I would probably have a belted plaid, a 9-yard quasi-tank, a 5-yard for games, a kid kilt for my son, a kilted skirt and shawl for my wife made up.

[Paul Henry]

Marton Mills are very helpful,and really will try and supply you fabric if they can.
They will weave what they call "Karl mayer"sample lengths of about 13 ms of many of their fabrics and when they are asked for specials, but my experience is that the costs are very high for the small lengths, infact on their latest price list they charge the same for PV as they do for wool .
An example of their PV (Balmoral)would be £35/m double width against £5.65/m double width on their standard range.
This is not to say don't do it, sometimes if you want a special fabric it is worth spending the extra.