Tartan of the Month - Aug 12: What do you see?

[figheadair]

As I said last month, this will be the last Tartan of the Month teaser and I've got something extra special. By now you should have got the hang of this and be able to work through much of it without too much help . So, what do you see and what can you deduce?

Oh, and there's one person that can't play as they have inside knowledge. You know who you are.

[David Thorpe]

Interesting. At first glance it appears to be symmetrical, but the thin (2-thread?) white line on the edge of the red-guarded blue stripe make it evidently otherwise. Curiously, this line is on the right in the first two (leftmost) repeats, but on the left edge of the rightmost, while all of the three horizontal repeats shown have it on the top edge. Very strange.
The colors make it appear to be either very old or an "ancient" reproduction, with the general appearance (as well as your previous entries) suggesting the former. Also notable are the shape of the left side, the repair?, seam? or pulled thread? on the right side and the two tabs? at the top and bottom center.
The constancy of the fringe depth suggests that the shape is no accident and has something to do with the use of the piece.
I'll contemplate while those with far more knowledge and experience chime in.
BTW, I have enjoyed these exercises in the short time I've been here and participating. Thank you for the effort.

[Baldybrown]

I'm probably way off base, but this looks like it was once a pocket.

[figheadair]

I'm probably way off base, but this looks like it was once a pocket.

The shape might suggest that so it's not completely off the scale as an idea but for the size. The piece is about 18 inches wide as viewed.

[figheadair]

David,

Some good initial observations.

Interesting. At first glance it appears to be symmetrical, but the thin (2-thread?) white line on the edge of the red-guarded blue stripe make it evidently otherwise. Curiously, this line is on the right in the first two (leftmost) repeats, but on the left edge of the rightmost, while all of the three horizontal repeats shown have it on the top edge. Very strange.

So why might that be?

The colors make it appear to be either very old or an "ancient" reproduction, with the general appearance (as well as your previous entries) suggesting the former.

I'm not known for doing modern

The constancy of the fringe depth suggests that the shape is no accident and has something to do with the use of the piece.

That's a reasonable deduction. I wonder what others will make of it?

[David Thorpe]

Interesting. At first glance it appears to be symmetrical, but the thin (2-thread?) white line on the edge of the red-guarded blue stripe make it evidently otherwise. Curiously, this line is on the right in the first two (leftmost) repeats, but on the left edge of the rightmost, while all of the three horizontal repeats shown have it on the top edge. Very strange.

So why might that be?

Could it possibly be a (gasp) weaving error?

On the subject of use... I know nothing about how bagpipe bag covers are constructed, but the shape might work for that?

[figheadair]

Could it possibly be a (gasp) weaving error?

No.

On the subject of use... I know nothing about how bagpipe bag covers are constructed, but the shape might work for that?

No holes for the drones etc.

[xman]

Right, the tabs on top and bottom would appear to fit into interior corners like that of a sofa.

The darning implies that the piece was in use and not just a museum piece. Why mend an artefact?

[figheadair]

Right, the tabs on top and bottom would appear to fit into interior corners like that of a sofa.

Getting there.

The darning implies that the piece was in use and not just a museum piece. Why mend an artefact?

Absolutely.

[xman]

6" sett size then. There appears to be some stains of soot or something dark.