In Search Of Manx

[Adoom]

Since recently finding out there is a Manx tartan, I've been on the prowl (pun intended) for some non-wool Manx tartan fabric...or a pre-made non-wool Manx kilt (if affordable).

Without going through the expensive exercise of having it woven for me, is anyone aware of a supplier of a Manx fabric?

[Bruce Scott]

Laxey Woolen Mills produce it in a variety of fabrics and weights:

"Laxey Manx Tartan is the Island's premier tartan produced for many years by Laxey Woollen Mills.

Today we have Laxey Manx available in viscose, cotton, light to medium worsted and the traditional kilt weight worsted material we use for our hand-made kilts."

http://www.manninkilt.co.uk/shop/sho...0Manx%20Tartan

https://www.visitisleofman.com/thing...mills-p1293121

[Lady Grey]

I’m also of Manx heritage and I’m attending Kilt Kamp
ive asked Steve if he can source the Manx Tartan for me but alas I haven’t heard back yet.
Perhaps with a few of us ordering, it may be worthwhile fiscally?
However as I live in Australia I only really need a medium weight wool.

When doing a heap of family research I was sent a picture of a second cousin from IOM in the kilt, unfortunately I seem to have lost the computer file.

I also have a copy of the Laxey Mill book that I can bring over to kilt Kamp if you’d like to have a look?

[LKM]

I think the question is why not wool? If it is price, sometime wool will be a better price then a less common tartan in PV or acrylic. If it is a wool allergy, then definitely avoid wool or wool blend materials. If it is comfort, the comfort of woven wool will depend on the type of wool/breed of sheep and the mill that works the wool.

This site shows that they have viscose for the Laxey Manx Tartan yet I do not know the quality:
http://www.manninkilt.co.uk

I see several options at USA Kilts, yet they are all wool:
https://www.usakilts.com/gallery/13-...?keywords=Manx

[Adoom]

I think the question is why not wool?

I know this question has come up many times in the past, and I don't want to start yet another discussion on an already over-discussed topic. As a general rule, I try to choose to not wear animal products.

I took a look at Manninkilts, what was odd to me is that they say they make a PV tartan, but then they only list wool kilts. But drilling down a bit and going to Laxey Woolen Mills, they list cotton tartan fabric for sale.

Does anyone have experience working with a cotton tartan?

http://www.laxeywoollenmills.com/cat...and_Tweeds.htm

[LKM]

Cotton does not normally hold a pleat for very long and gets wrinkled more often then other materials. From what I understand you will need to sew each pleat and it will need to be ironed more often. I have considered using some cotton before as cotton tartan material is inexpensive and easy to find where I live, yet I have not yet tried it for a kilt. Looking at the web site of Laxey Woollen Mills I see that two Manx tartans are listed as woven in cotton.

http://www.laxeywoollenmills.com/P1000040.htm
http://www.laxeywoollenmills.com/LWM-000040.htm

I can tell you that the PV from Marton Mills https://martonmills.com is perhaps the best quality PV you will find. If you want quality non-wool, this is the tartan mill I would recommend. I have considered making a special order from them yet I have not asked for a price on a PV special weave. They do have a minimum yard length for an order and I know USA Kilts and Freedom Kilts have worked with them.

[The Wizard of BC]

Lady Gray, I am very sorry but I do not seem to have received your request for information about the Manx Tartan.

Adoom - There are 13 differnt designs listed with The Scottish Register of Tartan under the name "Manx" "Isle of Man" and "Laxey" & "Laxsaa"

There appears to be quite a controversy over the many Tartans for the Isle of Man.

here is just a sample to give you an idea. This is not a simple topic with a simple answer.

Design No. 2031 is listed under the name Laxsee
Designed in 1985
Woven by St. Georges Woolen Mill.
Description "Laksaa is the Manx for Laxey. A place on the Isle of Man Sample in Scottish Tartans Authority' Johnston Collection."

Design no 2812 is listed under the name Manx Centenary
Designed in 1981
Description "Sample from Dr D G Teall & sample in Scottish Tartans Authority Johnston Collection. Manx refers to the Isle of Man, a large (221 sq miles) island in the Irish Sea which is a self governing Crown dependency with a population of about 70,000. The inhabitants are of Celtic origin. Centenary was 1881 - 1981. Laxey is an old mill village on the Isle of Man and this tartan is said to celebrate the centenary of the St George's Woollen Mill in the village. The grey represents the original grey flannel woven there and the blue and green are from the Manx Laxey tartan."

Design 2184 is listed under the name Manx Dress
Designed in 1981
Description - "Presented by Dr.D.G.Teall - Past President of the Scottish Tartans Society. He lived on the isle of Man."

Design 2816 is listed under the name Manx Heritage
Designed in 1996
Description - " Produced by the Manx Museum in 1998 as a commemorative and promotional tartan. Manx refers to the Isle of Man, a large (221 sq miles) island in the Irish Sea which is a self governing Crown dependency with a population of about 70,000. The inhabitants are of Celtic origin."

Design 2817 under the name Manx Hunting
Dated1980
Described as - "Produced after agreement between Mr C Ewan Kelly who marketed the Manx National tartan and Dr Gordon Teall. The former had a preliminary sketch which Teall developed in consultation with Loccarron of Galashiels who first wove it. Count taken from a plaid owned by Dr Teall. The following is an accompanying poem. Dark grey - the rocks; the heart of Ellan Vannin. Grey green - her rugged valleys, hills and moors; Clear blue - the sky above the land of Mannin; Grey blue - the sea around her shining shores; Bright gold - the gleam of cushag flowers a-blowing; Pure white - the mist that lingers for a whole. These woven on the Loom of Love are showing, the soft lived fabric of Manannan's Isle. Blue is quite the wrong shade."


Design 2818 under the name Manx Laxey Blue
dated 1978
description - Designed and woven by Robert Wood, owner of St George's Woollen Mill in Laxey after the weaving of the Manx National tartan was taken out of his hands by Miss Patricia Mcquaid after a difference of opinion. This is now the only tartan woven by that mill. Manx refers to the Isle of Man, a large (221 sq miles) island in the Irish Sea which is a self governing Crown dependency with a population of about 70,000. The inhabitants are of Celtic origin. Presented by Dr. D.G. Teall in 1981 He was a Past President of the Scottish Tartans Society.

Design 2819 under the name Manx Laxey Red
Dated 1981
Description - "Yet another Isle of Man tartan. Data from Dr D.G.Teall. Manx refers to the Isle of Man, a large (221 sq miles) island in the Irish Sea which is a self governing Crown dependency with a population of about 70,000. The inhabitants are of Celtic origin. Date from D.C. Stewartt's NOMINDEX."

[Lady Grey]

Steve I will re-send my Kilt kamp registration and request asap

Manx Laxey Blue is the generally accepted tartan as far as I know

https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/ta...tails?ref=2818
http://www.laxeywoollenmills.com/LWM-000041.htm

Like the Australian Tartan there seems to be in-fighting amongst designers and mills as to what is what!

[The Wizard of BC]

The Manx national Tartan referred to above is listed with The Scottish Register of Tartans as no. 2822

STA ref:	185
STWR ref:	185
Designer:	McQuaid, Miss Patricia
Tartan date:	01/01/1946
Registration date:	This tartan was recorded prior to the launch of The Scottish Register of Tartans.
Category:	District
Restrictions:
Registration notes:	Manx refers to the Isle of Man, a large (221 sq miles) island in the Irish Sea which is a self governing Crown dependency with a population of about 70,000. The inhabitants are of Celtic origin. D.C. Stewart's Nomindex notes. This seven-colour tartan was designed by Miss Patricia Mcquaid as the Manx National Tartan at the instigation of the Rt. Hon the Lord Sempill (probably John, trhe 18th Lord Sempill). Lord Sempill's connections with the Isle of Man are not known.' The colours were explained as follows: The Light Blue of the Sky, The Dark Blue of the Sea, The Green of the hills & valleys, The White of the Cottages, The Purple of the Heather, The Yellow of the Gorse in bloom, The Red of the flowers of the Fuchsia

The Manx National #2 is registered under no. 2823

STA ref:	none
STWR ref:	186
Designer:	Not Specified
Tartan date:	Not Specified
Registration date:	This tartan was recorded prior to the launch of The Scottish Register of Tartans.
Category:	District
Restrictions:
Registration notes:	Thread count of the sample donated by Dr. D.G. Teall in 1987. Differs in threads only. Dr Teall was a past President of the Scottish Tartans Society.

[Lady Grey]

Registration sent again (and a copy in forum email)

I Agree Cotton will not make a kilt.
(If I ever figure out attaching pictures again, I’ll post a Long women’s summer skirt based on a kilt)
To get pleats you need to stitch each pleat aka Xkilt - casual style.
It won’t look like a kilt and unfortunately I’ve yet to discover a PV version of the Manx Tartan.

What about a cotton shirt or lining a Jacket in the cotton tartan? That would look rather nice.