Maple Leaf Tartan

**ccga3359** · 22nd February 07, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by McClef

A step closer!

Looking at the CAD piccie is increasing the jonesing!

I just noticed that your dancing banana just so happens to be wearing our Maple Leaf tartan McClef! In preperation I've ordered and just received today my maple leaf kilt pin. My camera crapped out so I can't show a pic but suffice to say imho I think it will set my kilt apart from the forest of Maple Leaf kilts. When is the next pub night so that I can see and hold the sample Pete?

**RockyR** · 22nd February 07, 05:12 PM

Yes... there is a selvedge on BOTh sides of a double width piece of fabric. When you make an "8 yard kilt", typically, you order 4 yards double width, cut it and splice it together.

The problem is with "A-Symmetrical tartans" (tartans that aren't mirror images of themselves). Most tartans have a 1234321 kind of color scheme. Some tartans are A-Symmetrical which means they have a 12341234 type color scheme. When they're asymmetrical, you can't join them like you described unless you HEM them.

BTW... in most swatch books provided by mills, they put an * beside the asymmetrical tartans to remind you to order single width.

**RockyR** · 22nd February 07, 05:13 PM

BTW... I'm not criticizing anyone... just pointing out how the Maple leaf tartan is asymmetrical and pointing out things to look out for.

**McClef** · 22nd February 07, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by ccga3359

I just noticed that your dancing banana just so happens to be wearing our Maple Leaf tartan McClef! In preperation I've ordered and just received today my maple leaf kilt pin. My camera crapped out so I can't show a pic but suffice to say imho I think it will set my kilt apart from the forest of Maple Leaf kilts.

Well the flashes of colour the banana kilt displays also reminds me of the St Davids (Brithwe Dewi Sant) tartan too.

I will have to give thought to what the kilt pin should be for my Maple Leaf, maybe it will help the jonesing a little!

Something suitably Canadian preferably!

**ccga3359** · 22nd February 07, 06:03 PM

Originally Posted by McClef

Well the flashes of colour the banana kilt displays also reminds me of the St Davids (Brithwe Dewi Sant) tartan too.

I will have to give thought to what the kilt pin should be for my Maple Leaf, maybe it will help the jonesing a little!

Something suitably Canadian preferably!

here's mine but in brass;

**ccga3359** · 22nd February 07, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by RockyR

If you get the Maple Leaf tartan in wool, you have to order single width or have it hemmed... it's an A Symetrical tartan, so you can't use the selvedge unless you use single width. Same goes with certain other tartans... Hntg Stewart, Buchannan, etc. Hope this helps...

Rule of Thumb: When in doubt, ask the mill BEFORE you buy.

I knew the Ontario Provincial tartan I'm jonesing was asymetrical, I didn't notice the ML was too. Cool, it's very subtle, I like it. I also like a challenged kiltmaker, did that sound right?

**MacHummel** · 22nd February 07, 06:22 PM

As for your question about assymmetrical design of the Maple Leaf Tartan, as Kilted Stuart mentioned, it will retain this but have a more convenient sett size for pleating most casual or traditional style kilts easily. As it is such a popular tartan it should not be a problem to leave a single piece of fabric intact to retain its classic aesthetic value. It truly is a spectacular tartan, whichever way it is pleated and by leaving the piece of fabric as is, you can avoid the headaches of splicing. I also love the challenge of creating something beautiful, especially when the customer appreciates the level of difficulty to create their piece of art. Canadians and avid kilt wearers who share the love of this tartan should not falter but instead embrace its intricacy.

**Kilted Stuart** · 22nd February 07, 07:53 PM

So what your saying RockyR is that if you wanted to splice the two you would have to turn the second piece of the double width and splice leaving a selvage on the bottom of half and a cut on the other, thats what makes you have to hem it. So the best and easiest way would be to cut the length from a full piece and then make the kilt.

Sorry for all the questions, I'm here to learn.
I appreciate the info. I can't always bug some other kiltmakers to answer what is probably the most basic of questions.I already ask my neighbor too many questions as it is. Like I said, I don't make them, I wear them.

Kilted Stuart

**Tartan Hiker** · 22nd February 07, 09:41 PM

MacHummel...Might you be willing to part with 4 yards of fabric for a DIY'er who would love to turn it into a box-pleated hiker?

Bill

**Barclay** · 23rd February 07, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by ccga3359

here's mine but in brass;

Grant - that's AWESOME! Would you be willing to give up the name of your source if I promised never, ever to wear it in Burlington and surrounds? That is a great, great pin! I don't wear bonnets often, but I could even see that pin worn on a balmoral or glengary.

Bill, you realize that if you get a Maple Leaf we'll have to coordinate our hiking schedules so as not to be on the same trail in the same tartan.