Playing around with some new tartan designs

**TheOfficialBren** · 26th June 16, 07:15 AM

Here are two new designs that I played around with today. Simple designs with an "old school" flair.

What do you think?

They're not for any specific purpose other than fun.

**Tarheel** · 26th June 16, 09:10 AM

I like the yellow stripe. I believe as that tartan ages (weathers and fades) it will gain even more character.

What sett size are you considering?

**TheOfficialBren** · 26th June 16, 09:51 AM

Thank you, sir.

Not really a major consideration for weaving unless my family likes it and even then only at a later date.

If I did I'd like it to be a very large sett. I much prefer larger setts in general.

This was merely an exercise in form since I'm new to the fine art of tartan design. It's been something to pass the time during my off hours whilst on deployment.

**OC Richard** · 27th June 16, 03:55 AM

Very nice, they have a nice traditional look to them, seems to me.

There's a thing about early 19th century tartans having narrower lines and wider open spaces, giving a more open look, and modern ones having fatter lines and a more congested look.

You'll see the same tartan woven then and now, and note the difference, sometimes.

Yours strike me as "old school" for that reason.

What tartan generator are you using, if I might ask? It looks great.

**TheOfficialBren** · 27th June 16, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

Very nice, they have a nice traditional look to them, seems to me.

There's a thing about early 19th century tartans having narrower lines and wider open spaces, giving a more open look, and modern ones having fatter lines and a more congested look.

You'll see the same tartan woven then and now, and note the difference, sometimes.

Yours strike me as "old school" for that reason.

What tartan generator are you using, if I might ask? It looks great.

Thank you, Richard. Very kind of you, sir. I'm using the Scotweb tartan designer. It's an excellent tool a wise investment on Nick's part.

I agree that they do have an old school feel to them. The more I look at them the more I like them and do favour the older style over the newer style of tartan design. What started as a creative exercise might just upstage some earlier drafts that I came up with for a new family tartan. We shall see.

**MacGumerait** · 27th June 16, 10:33 PM

Very nice Bren , I like them both , can't quite put my finger on which I like best .

I also agree with you on large setts , quite fond of them myself .

Cheers , Mike

**figheadair** · 28th June 16, 01:04 AM

The trouble with playing around with traditional design formats is that it's very easy to re-invent the wheel.

I'm away from home for a few days and don't have access to my full records but I'd be amazed if one or both don't already exist. The one with the yellow stripe is so similar to one of the settings suggested for the 64th (Loudoun's) that it would not be accepted for registrattion in the STR for example.

**TheOfficialBren** · 28th June 16, 06:03 AM

Ah! Thank you for the heads up, sir. I love the elegance of the older styles but I can see your point, especially coming from someone like you who has probably seen every tartan under the sun!

Might you have any suggestions for modifications? Thank you.

**slothead** · 28th June 16, 07:38 AM

I like 'em! Especially the one with the yellow stripe. Let us suppose you decided to have them woven (or have anything woven), where would your preference be for weaving?

**figheadair** · 29th June 16, 03:50 AM

The Manroth tartan is even closer to your desogn with the yellow stripe.

The problen with decorated blue, green and black setts is that there are a lot of variations on a theme already in existance. That said, so long as your design is unique and you don't want to register it in the NTR (there's no requirement) then something similar is not a problem unless it's likely to be confused with a tartan protected by Design Registration.