Fellow Xmarks tartan owners....

[Blu (Ontario)]

I'm not sure if you noticed or not but in a recent thread posted under the Kiltmakers section...

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=18468

it was revealed that there are significant issues with the current run of Xmarks tartan fabric. These issues have absolutely nothing to do with Steve at Freedom Kilts and everything to do with the manufacturer. Since there are quite a few people that have kilts under construction and others that are making their own, I'd like to know how you are working around the problems. I'd also like to know if the first run also had the same problems. I also post this as a heads-up to those contemplating getting involved in future fabric runs.

Aside, I recently purchased a remnant from the the same mill and it was fine, thankfully.

Thoughts?

[Riverkilt]

Read the posts. Went and measured my sett. One was 1/8" smaller than the other two.

Have no clue on what to look for in a selvedge.

Whatever difficulties sewing up the kilt may have been for Kathy Lare, she never mentioned any problems, only what a beautiful tartan it was. So, if she did have any difficulties guessing she adjusted for them.

You can see from the pics in my gallery that her pleatwork is perfect.

I would guess, as experienced as she is for so many years, if there was a difficulty of any kind it was one she is well trained to cope with and adjust for.

Just dealing successfully with my corpulance was a wonderful treat for me.

The only way I was able to determine that one sett was 1/8" less than the other two was with a ruler. No way its noticeable, even at close range, without a ruler.

My X Marks cloth was from the first run.

Check the pics in my gallery, see what you think for yourself.

Having grown up in the cut and sew industry and laid out many thousands of layers of cloth for cutters, I know that any cloth from any mill, is liable to have an imperfection or two. Just consider the process involved and you'll understand why.

I didn't comment on the other thread because I'm not a kiltmaker and don't have the knowledge they do.

With all due respect to Barb, Rocky, and others I'm wondering if its really "that bad."

And, feeling some sadness that the mill who seemed to me to go the extra mile for us may be taking a hit they don't deserve.

But, not being an expert on tartan weaving gonna just back out and let the experts make the decision.

To be clear. Whatever Kathy Lare received from the mill to work with I'm extremely happy with the results of her craftsmanship.

See for yourself in my gallery if you haven't already.

Ron

[Riverkilt]

Here's a pic of a remanent of the first run of the X Marks the Scot tartan, now owned by Possingk, and hopefully soon a skirt for his wife without any problems.
The evaluation of the selvedge, sett size, and thread size aren't visible at this range. It does let you see a large chunk of the first run's tartan to see what it looks like at a short distance.

No intent of minimizing any kiltmaking problems. Only keeping things in perspective and avoiding any extreme problem solving.

If it doesn't show through your firewall try the gallery under "stuff."

Ron

[Gordon]

WOW! this is the first I am hearing of any problems with this tartan.(first or second run)

The xmarks tartan is 14 oz/yd and is not woven in an inferior way, furthermore we supply many organisations including pipe bands and do not encounter negative comments about the style of our selvedges.
Perhaps some of these kiltmakers quoted are 'married' to Scottish mills and are seeking to promote their own interests.

I take pride in our work, so if you have a specific complaint...contact me directly, rather than taking pot-shots from the weeds.

Gordon Kirkbright
Fraser & Kirkbright Weaving Co. Ltd.

[Blu (Ontario)]

Thanks for all the comments, Ron.

I know that my fabric is in good hands and that the finished "Tewksbury" kilt will be a thing of beauty and a joy to wear.

My initial post was certainly not intended as a rant, and I realize that things can happen in the manufacturing process, but I will have to trust the experience eyes of my kiltmaker on this one.

Run 2 of the Xmarks fabric is "water under the bridge". The issues are now out in the open. My hope is that once the problems are properly evaluated, that corrective action may be taken by the manufacturer to avoid a repeat.

blu

[Kiltman]

I made a kilt out of the first run. I think it was a good deal and have no complaints. It works a little differently than some others I've worked on, but that's not a problem. Thanks Gordon for a good product at a reasonable price. I'll buy more from you.

[Blu (Ontario)]

... Perhaps some of these kiltmakers quoted are 'married' to Scottish mills and are seeking to promote their own interests...

I'll leave that up to the various kiltmakers to answer.

I take pride in our work, so if you have a specific complaint...contact me directly, rather than taking pot-shots from the weeds.

I choose my words carefully. I do not doubt your craftsmanship or your pride in it. I do suggest, however, that a rational discussion to address these specific issues can lead to a positive result for all. I am not the only one affected by this. If in fact these issues are without merit, I shall ask that this thread be expunged from the forum forever.