help on weaving tartan

**Patty Logan** · 4th May 20, 02:09 PM

hi everyone, being the curious person i am i wandered how tartan was weaved. because of covid-19, i was looking for a new hobby to do and found weaving. has anybody weaved tartan before? i have made a potable loom from a old picture frame and some nails but im unsure what kind of wool i would need and other materials to make it. any information would help. thanks!

**RCNVR** · 4th May 20, 07:52 PM

Unfortunately I do not have the skill but you might try asking the Mission Weavers and Spinners Guild. I know they are a bit far away but they do weave a tartan though not the fabric used for a kilt as far as I know. Scroll down a bit on the page and you can find a bit about the tartan. They might be able to give you some more information.

Good Luck

**Barb T** · 6th May 20, 11:31 AM

Kilting tartan is a twill weave and requires a 4-harness loom. Doesn't mean that you can't weave tartan on a 2-harness loom - it would just come out as plain weave. If you PM me, I'll put you in contact with a person who hand weaves outstanding kilting tartan.

If you're just interested in weaving some tartan and aren't planning to make a kilt from it, how you proceed depends on whether you want to weave a specific tartan or whether you want to simply make a plaid fabric of crossing stripes. Either is fine - can you tell us a little more about what you want to do and how big a piece you want to weave?

**Patty Logan** · 6th May 20, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by Barb T

If you're just interested in weaving some tartan and aren't planning to make a kilt from it, how you proceed depends on whether you want to weave a specific tartan or whether you want to simply make a plaid fabric of crossing stripes. Either is fine - can you tell us a little more about what you want to do and how big a piece you want to weave?

im trying to weaving some logan tartan, the size doesn't mater since im just starting and will work my way up in size when i get more comfortable

**figheadair** · 6th May 20, 02:41 PM

Originally Posted by Patty1059

im trying to weaving some logan tartan, the size doesn't mater since im just starting and will work my way up in size when i get more comfortable

You may want to start with something a little less complicated and then work up to Logan.

**Patty Logan** · 6th May 20, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by figheadair

You may want to start with something a little less complicated and then work up to Logan.

maby i should start with Ogilvy or Alberdeen?

**Barb T** · 6th May 20, 05:38 PM

Can you tell us a little about the loom you have to work on, how big a piece you want to weave, etc.?? figheadair is the be-all and end-all in handwoven tartan expertise, so I'm just offering 2 cents as a by-stander!