Tartan of the month - October: What do yo see?

[figheadair]

Have a crack at this one.

[HeathBar]

What do I see?

I see some embroidery in the corner, looks like flowers. Can't make out if they represent initials.
I see two holes beneath the embroidery, likely from a pin that was worn regulary.

I see that the fringe edge some sort of lock stitch, probably to keep it from fraying more.

I've heard of embroidered initials in the corner of the front apron of some belted plaids. The location would make sense based upon the location of the fringe and selvedge. And the holes would make sense if it was some sort of kilt pin.

As for age or tartan, no idea. Though it does resemble the Caledonia tartan.

[figheadair]

Not sure what happened to the title. Mods can you remove the You are subscribed to this thread as I don't seem to be able to edit that out.

[Orvis]

The tartan bears a resemblance to the Glenbuchat tartan that you published a paper on, but it does not appear to be the same. I conjecture that it may be from the same area, however, due to the similarity. The worked eyelets and the embroidery (a wreath of flowers - or thistles?) and an indistinct center design - perhaps an armorial crest - might shed light on the tartan's owner if identified.

With regard to the tartan itself, the colors suggest that it is an 18th c. twill weave hard tartan made up for use in a plaid. While scarlet appears to be the base color in the large square, the blending of the scarlet yarns with the other colors seems to create a number of shades red-tinted stripes (optical illusion) that tone nicely together. The use of differing shades of the same color next to each other is an early feature. I see a row of stitching on the right edge of a half-sett with no herringbone selvedge, so I believe this was the joining edge of the plaid that has somehow become separated from its mate - perhaps it was separated so one half of the plaid could be used as a feileadh beag, or perhaps to be made up into an early tailored kilt. The two holes in the vertical white stripe may be the location where a bodkin pinned the plaid to the wearer's shoulder, but this is conjecture - the holes could have appeared at any time, but their positioning one above the other suggest that they were deliberately made. More than that I cannot speculate upon at present. Must...have...Laphroaig...

[Meggers]

Dang...you guys are really good at remembering tartans if you can have "name this tartan" contests.

[Father Bill]

Dang...you guys are really good at remembering tartans if you can have "name this tartan" contests.

Oh, hang on there, Meghan - it's not just to name the tartan, but to explain the entire garment. I love to watch these "unfold." (Dumb pun.)

[Meggers]

Oh, hang on there, Meghan - it's not just to name the tartan, but to explain the entire garment. I love to watch these "unfold." (Dumb pun.)

*grabs the popcorn and props up her feet*

have at it, boys.

[thescot]

I wonder if it's not a great kilt. The two holes that make up the bottom of the wreath were perhaps used for the broach pin which was stuck through the two holes below when it was lapped over. The wreath is obviously embroidered flowers, but it's hard to tell what, other than a small bloom, is in the center given the resolution we have.

An interesting problem.

[Ryan Ross]

I wonder if it's not a great kilt.

If it's a kilt at all, I'm sure it's a fantastic kilt.

[TimButterfield]

I rotated and zoomed a portion of the image. The embroidery is an initial with part of the darker thread missing leaving only white in that area. Given the kerning on the vertical and the gap near the bottom right, it appears to be an 'E' character. If this is accurate, it may help in naming. It would also make the holes have horizontal orientation and not vertical as in the original image.