Making a day plaid (aka laird's plaid)

[Tobus]

When I ordered my Reproduction Colquhoun tank from Barb T. a while back, I went ahead and got extra yardage for future projects to ensure that the tartan matches exactly. This is double-width cloth, and I have 5 yards of it (plus the scraps left over from the kilt-making process). One of the projects I wanted to do was to make a day plaid or laird's plaid.

Since I know there's a lot of confusion on terminology, what I'm planning to make is shown below:

The fellow at front center:


Several examples worn by MacDonald chiefs:


On the left:


I've done several searches on this forum and found discussions about how to wear them, etc., but what I can't seem to find a decent answer on is whether there's a correct size to make them. Does it really matter? I've seen references to them being 60" long or 72" long, which seems to be a pretty significant difference. Or should I just tailor it to my height so that when folded length-wise over my shoulder and draped evenly, it falls to a specific point on my body?

As for construction, since I have double-width cloth, it should be fairly simple. Just cut it to length, fringe the ends (I will purl the fringe to about 4" lengths), and that's it. My only real dilemma is on the length to cut. Got any pointers?

[Chas]

A long time ago, I read a quote that roughly said that "the plaid should be big enough for a man and his beloved to sit comfortably and have a picnic".

You will have to carry it all day, so I would go for the biggest size that you can comfortably carry around on your shoulder for any length of time. If you work out the length/weight and carry that weight around in a pillowslip, on your shoulder for a couple of hours, you will probably get a good indication of how well it will work.

The other thing is that if it turns out to be too long it can always be shortened, but not the other way round.

Would be nice to see pictures when it is done.

Regards

Chas

[Cygnus]

I just read a section from Adam Frank's The Clans, Septs, and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands about day plaids and remember him giving dimensions. If somebody else doesn't beat me to it, I'll look it up when I get home.

[Harold Cannon]

Here you will see the description and diagrams for folding and wearing it so it can be used as a cloak if needed.

My Laird's plaids are about 5 yards long. A smaller man could get away with less. I would say 4 yards would be plenty for you.

[Tobus]

My Laird's plaids are about 5 yards long. A smaller man could get away with less. I would say 4 yards would be plenty for you.

I did a double-take when I saw that, but it might make sense. Using 4 yards and folded in half length-wise, it would be 6 feet long, which would be about 3 feet of drape in front and behind (when worn over the shoulder). I guess I'll just have to play with it and see how that looks if I unfold the length and wrap it around my chest. 12 feet seems awfully long for that, but maybe it's not.

Are those images for a full (belted) plaid, or a day plaid? Using 4 yards of double-width cloth seems like it would be enough for a belted plaid, and I was under the impression that a day plaid was much smaller... like the size of a blanket, as Chas pointed out.

[Harold Cannon]

It is for a day plaid. in the upper pictures you can see how it is unfolded off of the shoulder (while wearing it ) to make a cloak.

[Harold Cannon]

I am sorry I put the wrong text. Let me see if I can find the correct instructions.

[Harold Cannon]

Here is the correct text.

[SlackerDrummer]

In a thread from a while back, Jock Scot measured the vintage plaid from his trunk of kit and it came in at 54 inches wide and just under 12 feet long.

[creagdhubh]

Tobus,

I have worn day plaids many times before and mine are all 4 1/2 yards long and 54 inches wide. Both ends are purled fringed 5-6 inches in length. I am 5' 10" tall, around 155 pounds, and my plaids have always worked quite well for my height and build; however, I have never really been overly concerned with that. I think Harold is correct in saying that you should be fine with 4 yards of tartan. I also tend to fold the plaid in half lengthwise, then again by its width and throw it over my left shoulder with the fringe hanging in the front. I never have the fringe hanging on my back. Much like the fashion depicted in the first two photos you posted.

Cheers and best of luck,