Arrival of my first tartan!

[AlabamaCelticLass]

This is my first real post here, and since both of the Lasses Wear threads are closed, I figured "Miscellaneous" would be a safe bet

I purchased 6 yards of homespun Anderson (modern) tartan from Celtic Croft... I am very impressed! It was one of the less expensive tartans at $30/ yard (54 inch width) and due to being homespun, the description stated that it would be more loosely woven than premium tartans and would have small imperfections. However, I love the more historic look and feel, and I could not be more pleased!

I also purchased 3 yards of wool fabric from a local general store, which gets fabrics directly from the manufacturers and has exceptional prices- a third the cost of other fabric suppliers here, and a far better selection and quality.

For years I have wanted to make a historic Highland costume, so my plan is to use the wool for the skirt, 3 yards of the tartan for an arisaid, and also make the other items- linen shift and kertch, fitted bodice, etc.

I am so excited, I had to share with someone! (None of my friends get it.)

[Richrail]

Very cool, can't wait to see the finished product.

[Tarheel]

First and foremost, we get it! These fabrics will make great combinations of the items you've described. Once your friends see the ensembles, they will be more receptive.
They will find their own way with the family heritage thing. We get that part here also.

[figheadair]

Not to detract from your recent purchase, it looks very nice, but I was interested in the term Home Spun. One might assume that that meant that it is made from hand-spun yarn, which it is not. Looking at the Celtic Croft site I note that they describe the cloth as woven by hand on old-world looms and that it is hand woven.

I'm not sure what an 'old world loom is' and doubt that anything that might just qualify, for example a pre-1850 loom, was used to weave this cloth. Similarly, at 54" wide I very much doubt that the cloth is 'hand woven', especially at that price. Smoke and mirrors

[Dughlas mor]

Congratulations on your purchase. That Anderson tartan looks lovely. From all I have heard, Celtic Croft`s "Homespun" cloth is a good product at a good price, and a nice alternative if one doesn`t want to spend $70.00 or $80.00 per yard on fabric. It should work beautifully for an arisaid. I hope we get to see some photos when your project is completed.

[AlabamaCelticLass]

Congratulations on your purchase. That Anderson tartan looks lovely. From all I have heard, Celtic Croft`s "Homespun" cloth is a good product at a good price, and a nice alternative if one doesn`t want to spend $70.00 or $80.00 per yard on fabric. It should work beautifully for an arisaid. I hope we get to see some photos when your project is completed.

Photos will be a definite!

[AlabamaCelticLass]

Not to detract from your recent purchase, it looks very nice, but I was interested in the term Home Spun. One might assume that that meant that it is made from hand-spun yarn, which it is not. Looking at the Celtic Croft site I note that they describe the cloth as woven by hand on old-world looms and that it is hand woven.

I'm not sure what an 'old world loom is' and doubt that anything that might just qualify, for example a pre-1850 loom, was used to weave this cloth. Similarly, at 54" wide I very much doubt that the cloth is 'hand woven', especially at that price. Smoke and mirrors

I agree with you, and I thought the same thing. Everything I have read has stated that looms of that time period were usually not more than 30" wide... which would be why, to make great kilts and arisaids, two pieces would be sewn together to make it that wide... if I am correct.

[figheadair]

I agree with you, and I thought the same thing. Everything I have read has stated that looms of that time period were usually not more than 30" wide... which would be why, to make great kilts and arisaids, two pieces would be sewn together to make it that wide... if I am correct.

By 1850 there was double width power looms weaving tartan, and possible some older wooden handlooms too, like thwe one at Kilbarchan. The point about the latter is that they were wood and none survive for commercial production.

[Pleater]

What is puzzling you about the shift pattern?

My 'thing' is English smocks but I might be able to help.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[AlabamaCelticLass]

What is puzzling you about the shift pattern?

My 'thing' is English smacks but I might be able to help.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

Where do I start?? LOL!

I'm used to modern sewing and I've done a good bit of southern American Civil War costuming, which is pretty modern too since they had sewing machines in the 1860s (and I used modern patterns like Simplicity, etc.)

I had to figure out what a lot of the terms were that she was using, like gores, running-back stitch, placket, etc. I also was not familiar with gussets or stroke gathers and some of the hand-sewing techniques. I guess I'm spoiled by modern patterns providing quite a few diagrams... I'm a bit of a visual learner. And there were no pictures on her site of the construction process on an actual garmet. Oy.... I'm glad I did my first practice one on an old bedsheet, because it's a hot mess! I'd post a pic but you might think It's the first thing I've ever sewn

In all honesty... I got so frustrated I threw back a shot of whisky and just ran it through the machine to get it done. haha

I'm totally new to acutally sewing 18th c. garments. I've been doing as much research as possible. My husband and I are going to a ren fair this weekend so I'm just doing what I can to get through that, even though it will lack much historical accuracy. Hope to have that fixed by Oct. for the Stone Mountain Highland Games. I will try to attach the pictures the maker of that shift pattern sent me yesterday.