My new Tewksbury tank is here! (w/pics)

**Tobus** · 28th April 12, 05:57 PM

I placed an order from Barb Tewksbury back in December for a traditional 8-yard, 16-oz, knife pleated (to the sett) kilt. The tartan was to be a custom weave of weathered/reproduction Colquhoun from DC Dalgliesh. Originally I had ordered 18 yards of single-width cloth. But right about that time, DC Dalgliesh decided to make reproduction colours a standard for certain tartans in double width. Mine was one of the first they made. So I changed my order to 9 yards of double-width.

4 yards of it went into this 8-yard kilt, and I have 5 more yards of double-width tartan now, waiting to be made into a waistcoat, day plaid, and other future projects.

But anyway, it's been a long wait for the cloth and then the kilt-making, and I tried not to let the Jonesing get the better of me. Finally, Barb let me know that it was finished, and now I'm one of the happiest kilt owners out there!

Here are a few pics of it from various angles (sorry, the wind is blowing pretty good today, so it's not laying like it should in all the pics).

A couple of close-ups of this gorgeous tartan:

One of the really neat things I love about this kilt is that the straps are dark brown leather and the buckles are brass.

I am stunned by the quality of this kilt. This is my first "real" tank that is actually hand-sewn and made with all the correct structural parts inside. (Many of you will remember my recent issues with another 8-yard kilt having to be retrofitted by Steve because it was stretching.) Barb's craftsmanship is just outstanding. Now I can see why hers is considered the gold standard by many. I am in love with this kilt!

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 28th April 12, 06:05 PM

Awesome! And the wind just shows that you are out and about in the real world!

**2a5t2f7** · 28th April 12, 06:08 PM

That is a beautiful tartan and an even more beautiful kilt. The entire outfit is first rate. As English Bloke would say, "Crackin".

**unixken** · 28th April 12, 06:27 PM

Originally Posted by 2a5t2f7

That is a beautiful tartan and an even more beautiful kilt. The entire outfit is first rate. As English Bloke would say, "Crackin".

I could not agree more. It's exciting to see such a great example of everything done just right.

**David Thorpe** · 28th April 12, 06:34 PM

Stunning! Heartiest congratulations!

**artificer** · 28th April 12, 06:50 PM

A well crafted hand-made kilt is a thing of beauty, and yours is certainly top-hole!

The tartan is gorgeous, and Barb's handy-work is simply amazing.

You wear it well. Enjoy in good health. Congratulations on surviving the "LONG Jones" for custom tartan and custom craftsmanship.
It certainly looks like it was well worth the wait.

ith:

**knotty** · 28th April 12, 07:00 PM

Very nice lookin. The is something classic about the look of weathered Tartans

Craig

**creagdhubh** · 3rd May 12, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by knotty

Very nice lookin. The is something classic about the look of weathered Tartans

Craig

Agreed.

Heavyweight Macpherson 'reproduction' tartan from D. C. Dalgliesh. My next 'tank' in the queue, courtesy of Barb Tewksbury.

Just as with Tobus, I can't wait to share my enthusiasm of my new Barb T. kilt with the 'rabble!'

Cheers,

**Tobus** · 3rd May 12, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

Late to the party, but let me add my compliments to the handsome tartan, the wonderful kilt, and the E P I C whiskers!

Cheers

Jamie

Ha, thanks, but I think 'epic' is going a little far! To me, epic would be more like Santa Wally's beard, or a dashing old-world style like yours (and Rex Tremende comes to mind as well). Mine's getting some length on it, though, so what I lack in style I can make up for in pure scruffiness. It's weird that the hair on top of my head is fine and straight, but my beard is naturally curly. It makes it difficult to tame, as it naturally wants to look like a mildly furry animal clinging to my face.

But hey, maybe I've finally reached the Victorian-era bearded Highlander look. Somewhere close to the fellow at top-center in this photo (or between that and the fellow at top-right):

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Tobus,

Congratulations mate!!!

What a smart looking kilt with an equally smart looking tartan! My first 'tank' made by our own Barb T., is currently in production and I simply cannot wait to receive it! The only thing that I did differently is in regards to the actual construction of the kilt. I opted for the kilt to have no belt loops (as I do not wear a belt with any of my day attire), my tartan is pleated to the line (looks best in my opinion with the Macpherson 'red-based' tartans), and only 2 straps in brown leather, and 2 buckles in brass - but of course, these details are simply my preferences.

As you eluded to in regards to your 'weathered' Colquhoun tartan, I too thought the brown and brass buckles would look splendid with the heavyweight, Macpherson 'reproduction' ('weathered') tartan from D. C. Dalgliesh. I have the same colour in the Lewis style kilt hose and I must say, yours looks great with the 'earthy' colour scheme of your kilt. Well done, you MUST be a very happy man.

P.S. - There's no doubt that Barb is a true artist, as well as a kilt-making genius!!!

Cheers,

Thanks Kyle. I've been waiting to see what yours looks like when it comes in. When I think of reproduction colours, I usually imagine the predominantly blue/green tartans. But yours being predominantly red, it should look very cool!