Piper's plaid - turning out awesome !

[Eric D Scott]

After purchasing 4yrds of Ancient MacGregor tartan my wife and I (okay more my wife) got down to making a pipers plaid to go with my new doublet and soon to be delivered horse hair sporran. I am almost ready to update and debut my new uniform for being the drum major of my band. My pipe major just calls me the "over dressed show pony with a loud voice" (I'll forgive him - it is funny).

Anyways, I'm impressed with my wife's skills when it came to making this plaid. I was very pleased with the ease of pleating and getting everything just right. Now it's my turn to finish the plaid, and before July 1st when I have to parades and I will be wearing my new uniform for the first time. So my job is to fringe and pearl the ends of the plaid ... Somehow i believe she had the easiest job!

I'll post some pictures once I get started on pearling. So far I've only stripped about an inch of one end, 5 more inches and then the other end before I get started.

Is there an easier way to strip the weave? Somehow I believe it can only be done the old fashion way! Lol

[MacGumerait]

[QUOTE=Eric D Scott;1175430] My pipe major just calls me the "over dressed show pony with a loud voice" (I'll forgive him - it is funny).


Eric , just tell the pipe major , those are regulation requirements for a DM .

Byyyyyyyyyy the center .... quick... march !!!!!!!!!! There you go , it was even loud while I typed it .

I have never fringed and purled the end of a plaid , but I know some who have and to my understanding it is a bit of chore . I think you are probably correct regarding the old fashion way , but I could be wrong .

Congrats to your wife and yourself on making the plaid . Look forward to seeing the pics .

Best , Mike

[Steve Ashton]

Sush, don't tell anyone.

I use a wire dog brush to tease out the yarns when fringing and purling.



If I am going to purl the ends I usually pull out a 6" - 7" fringe.

[David Thorpe]

Interesting method, Steve. I use an awl to get one or two threads at a time. Clamping both ends of the piece to the table with some tension helps too.

Thompson Dress Blue?

[tulloch]

Hey, Eric; I am finishing one now. I have a piece about four feet wide so I tore it in three places about 8" up and did it in four segments. I have a friend who loaned me a lovely little tool for doing the purling. Fast and easy!

[Eric D Scott]

Steve - awesome pictures and idea! I've been using just my hands and a seam ripper ...

Tulloch - I have thought about cutting it in small sections, but was afraid of making a mistake ... And for the purling tool, I'd love to see a picture if that's possible.