Iowa Tartan help needed

[TJ Kelley]

I grew up in Iowa and have recently found a Iowa state tartan that I really like. The colors are very sharp.

iowa.jpeg

Looking into obtaining the weave and having a kilt made is discouraging though. Although J. Higgins, Ltd. is listed as a kilt maker on the site who can make it, if I provide the material.

2 questions:
Any one have any experience with J. Higgins?

This web site requires a min order of 60 yards, does anyone have any idea where, who or how I would go about finding enough material for 1 kilt? I would have 2 made "one for my brother" if it would help.

http://www.haggis-iowa.com/iowa_tartans.html

Very much out of my league when it comes to anything custom and could use the rabbles help/suggestions.
Thanks so much.
—T

[Skiballa]

I have an 8 yard 16 ounce wool kilt made by J. Higgins, they do fine work, it'll be part hand / part machine sewn.

As far as a custom weave, either there will be large minimum order, or a very expensive smaller order, sorry, but I have no experience with that so far, hopefully someone will chime in with a some advice in that regard.

[macwilkin]

TJ,

I own an Iowa tartan kilt, but I went through Matt Newsome and a special weave via DC Dalgleish to get my tartan. I would talk to Matt or Rocky at USA Kilts. Don't get my wrong, Higgins is still a good "entry-level" kilt, but my second kilt I bought from them years ago was nowhere near the quality of the first one. My best friend had a similar experience with his two Higgins kilts. Others mileage may very. I think the HAGGIS folks are still waiting for another order.

You can see a photo of my Iowa kilt (taken on the ancestral farm in Wright County, just south of Clarion, Iowa) along with my article on Iowa's Scottish heritage here:

http://scottishtartans.org/iowa.htm

Whereabouts in Iowa are you from?

Regards,

Todd

[Hopper250]

I would guess you could see how many Iowans are around and put out a call for fabric, much as they did with the R'yleh tartan.

[macwilkin]

Might check with the Waukee High School Highlanders Pipe Band and see if they have any material left over from their order. I doubt they will, but it can't hurt to ask. The Pipe Major of the Iowa Scottish Pipes & Drums works with them, if memory serves me correctly:

http://www.iowascottish.com/index.html

[TJ Kelley]

Todd, thanks for the info. I will check with Rocky and Waukee HS.

I grew up in Clinton and lived in Davenport for 5 years after graduating art school in Denver.

I ran through Clarion, in 1980 or 81. Our High School Xcountry team would run across the state every summer relay style, each year a different route. One of those years we started in Dubuque to SiouxCity running on highway 3. I have also camped at Clear Lake, that close right? Beautiful area.

[macwilkin]

Todd, thanks for the info. I will check with Rocky and Waukee HS.

I grew up in Clinton and lived in Davenport for 5 years after graduating art school in Denver.

I ran through Clarion, in 1980 or 81. Our High School Xcountry team would run across the state every summer relay style, each year a different route. One of those years we started in Dubuque to SiouxCity running on highway 3. I have also camped at Clear Lake, that close right? Beautiful area.

I was just on Highway 3 a couple of weeks ago, running over to Clarion from Hampton -- we were staying in Iowa Falls and visiting mom's home town, Dows, for their annual Corn Days. (naturally) Clear Lake is about 35-40 miles as the crow flies. Most of my family are now over in Cedar Falls.

Let me know what you find out. It will be good to have another Iowa tartan out there. BTW, my dad is from Prescott, AZ, just north of you. <grin>

T.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I had the cloth woven for Todd's kilt and would be more than happy to have another length woven for you. No minimum order. See details on my web site:
http://www.newhousehighland.com/heirloom_about.html