Greetings from Chicago

[fearlessRich]

I'm never very good at these introductions, so I'll be brief.

Took up weaving as a hobby last winter and have a few projects under my belt. Recently, I was asked to weave a tartan for use in making a kilt. I've started warping my loom to do a test swatch of the tartan first, to see if we like the sett we chose (I think sett is the correct term?). If we like it, then I'll get the yarn needed to make the cloth for a full kilt.

I've done a lot of reading, and searching the Web almost always leads to X Marks The Scot, so here I am.

I wish I could say I've got an interesting story about my Scottish heritage and I'm recreating my family tartan, but I don't and I'm not. Found a sett I liked and I'm going from there.

I promise to do research before asking painfully obvious noob questions!

Thanks for having me.

[kilted redleg]

Welcome fearless from the gateway to the highlands of the great state of New York hope you enjoy being here as much as I do and having you here!!

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the "Great Rabble"!

[Tomak]

Hello and welcome from Southern California.

[Kiltedjohn]

Sounds like a fascinating hobby. Welcome from a Scotsman living in middle England.

[KnittedReenactor]

Welcome my fellow brother from the shadow of the Sears Tower! First question: 1060 W Addison or 333 W 35th?
Most questions have been covered at least one, some many times, so be sure to look back through the sub forums or google site search what you're looking for.
What tartan are you weaving? And are you planning on making your own kilt in addition to the fabric you were asked to make?

[WalesLax]

I wish I'd known there was a weaver in Chicago when I was in Chicago! Formerly of the 60613, I now travel extensively for work but call Long Island, NY home (because of my proximity to JFK, LaGuardia, and NYC).

What part of Chicago are you in?

I have been looking to update the University of Chicago tartan and get it woven, or get my curling club's tartan woven; I would love to know more about your work, if you would be interested, etc.

Rob

[DyerStraits]

Welcome From The Highlands Of Highland Park!

[Tarheel]

Well met and welcome Rich. I hope all the weavers and designers will get in touch with you soon. I think you may be able to share as much info as you think you will receive here. Please share any progress with the tartan as it goes. Glad your here.

[Digger1]

You've set yourself an ambitious project, but the results would be truly rewarding if you can persevere. I'm fairly new to the forum myself, but have spent considerable time amongst the weavers on Lewis and Harris and recall many of their stories about the trials and tribulations of doing their "qualifying" weaves for certification (they must demonstrate proficiency at three cloth weaves; "standard" or plain tweed, herringbone patterned, and tartan cloth) on their home based looms. Pretty much all of them related that their initial attempts at the tartan cloth were oft times "dismal", but all but one that I know of eventually "made the grade"....so hang in there!