Piper's plaid - turning out awesome !

**Eric D Scott** · 11th June 13, 06:33 PM

After purchasing 4yrds of Ancient MacGregor tartan my wife and I (okay more my wife) got down to making a pipers plaid to go with my new doublet and soon to be delivered horse hair sporran. I am almost ready to update and debut my new uniform for being the drum major of my band. My pipe major just calls me the "over dressed show pony with a loud voice" (I'll forgive him - it is funny).

Anyways, I'm impressed with my wife's skills when it came to making this plaid. I was very pleased with the ease of pleating and getting everything just right. Now it's my turn to finish the plaid, and before July 1st when I have to parades and I will be wearing my new uniform for the first time. So my job is to fringe and pearl the ends of the plaid ... Somehow i believe she had the easiest job!

I'll post some pictures once I get started on pearling. So far I've only stripped about an inch of one end, 5 more inches and then the other end before I get started.

Is there an easier way to strip the weave? Somehow I believe it can only be done the old fashion way! Lol

**MacGumerait** · 11th June 13, 11:05 PM

[QUOTE=Eric D Scott;1175430] My pipe major just calls me the "over dressed show pony with a loud voice" (I'll forgive him - it is funny).

Eric , just tell the pipe major , those are regulation requirements for a DM .

Byyyyyyyyyy the center .... quick... march !!!!!!!!!! There you go , it was even loud while I typed it .

I have never fringed and purled the end of a plaid , but I know some who have and to my understanding it is a bit of chore . I think you are probably correct regarding the old fashion way , but I could be wrong .

Congrats to your wife and yourself on making the plaid . Look forward to seeing the pics .

Best , Mike

**Steve Ashton** · 11th June 13, 11:26 PM

Sush, don't tell anyone.

I use a wire dog brush to tease out the yarns when fringing and purling.

If I am going to purl the ends I usually pull out a 6" - 7" fringe.

**David Thorpe** · 12th June 13, 05:19 AM

Interesting method, Steve. I use an awl to get one or two threads at a time. Clamping both ends of the piece to the table with some tension helps too.

Thompson Dress Blue?

**tulloch** · 12th June 13, 01:02 PM

Hey, Eric; I am finishing one now. I have a piece about four feet wide so I tore it in three places about 8" up and did it in four segments. I have a friend who loaned me a lovely little tool for doing the purling. Fast and easy!

**Eric D Scott** · 12th June 13, 02:38 PM

Steve - awesome pictures and idea! I've been using just my hands and a seam ripper ...

Tulloch - I have thought about cutting it in small sections, but was afraid of making a mistake ... And for the purling tool, I'd love to see a picture if that's possible.

**Lorna** · 12th June 13, 05:06 PM

A few years ago I spent the better part of a Labour Day and a National Geographic "Dog Whisperer" marathon purling a plaid for my son. It sure is worth the effort. Good Luck!

**Eric D Scott** · 20th June 13, 04:31 PM

Okay, so after a week of work (less 4 days due to a sore back or parades) I have got one end of the plaid fringed. Wish I was further along, but what can you do. The goal is to have the plaid ready for Canada day as I have 2 parades that day and plan to wear all my new kit that day and surprise the band ... Although I probably won't get it purled until after that day, you never know.

**Eric D Scott** · 21st June 13, 05:48 PM

Started the other end tonight. It takes around an hour to do one of these sections. I didn't want to do it his way, but honestly I will gladly sacrifice one or two treads to save 15-20 mins!