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

**figheadair** · 13th August 12, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Harold Cannon

It looks like it may have been part of a joined plaid as I see what looks to be a stitch line running from top to bottom on the left.

Well done. There's more.

Then the shape looks like the fabric may have been converted to a modern womans skirt and this is a pleat cutout from the interior of the skirt under the waistband.

Oh no....

Originally Posted by Cygnus

The shape and size makes me think of a pipe banner, but I've never seen one in tartan before.

Interesting.... but no.

**figheadair** · 13th August 12, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by xman

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

6" ish and yes, there is dirt or something of that ilk.

**Tobus** · 13th August 12, 02:52 PM

I'm curious about the bits of fabric at the top and bottom that appear to be stitched to the piece, as if they were connected to something else. Almost like ties or something...

The staining of the piece suggests that it saw some pretty severe use. Meaning, it got wet and dirty. I almost hesitate to suggest this, but the shapes of the stains look like it may have been in contact with various parts of the human body. Sweaty parts. And the pieces of fabric that I presume to be the remnants of ties could have held it in place. Like a DIY inner kilt liner. Crazy theory, but it could make sense!

**Dixiecat** · 13th August 12, 08:42 PM

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.

As a whole, the piece is actually symmetrical. If you look to the right of the join you'll see that the white line is now in the opposite position and the twill goes in the other direction. Peter, is this an example of a tartan woven to be joined?

I can also see the single worsted yarns. Would the yellow be a faded green dye?

It looks like it's been pinned up, gathering the piece. At least I can just see a pattern to the holes. It could just as be as simple as moths getting into the folds I guess.

It also looks nicely woven. As in no thick/thin yarns and the sett is very symmetrical, white yarns aside.

I was going to say that the dirt looks suspiciously like water damage, but the stains to the left look like blood. If it was blood or old sweat, wouldn't moths go for that area first? So, I must be wrong on that.

Very interesting puzzle Peter, thanks!

**MacGumerait** · 13th August 12, 11:45 PM

The shape , size and stains may suggest something kitchen / cooking related ?

**figheadair** · 14th August 12, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by MacGumerait

The shape , size and stains may suggest something kitchen / cooking related ?

Or may be not.

**figheadair** · 14th August 12, 08:33 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

I'm curious about the bits of fabric at the top and bottom that appear to be stitched to the piece, as if they were connected to something else. Almost like ties or something...

Good observation. I'm not saying you're right but what to expand that further?

The staining of the piece suggests that it saw some pretty severe use. Meaning, it got wet and dirty. I almost hesitate to suggest this, but the shapes of the stains look like it may have been in contact with various parts of the human body. Sweaty parts. And the pieces of fabric that I presume to be the remnants of ties could have held it in place. Like a DIY inner kilt liner. Crazy theory, but it could make sense!

There's sort of a connection to you train of thought although the nature of the dirt is unknown.

Originally Posted by Dixiecat

As a whole, the piece is actually symmetrical. If you look to the right of the join you'll see that the white line is now in the opposite position and the twill goes in the other direction. Peter, is this an example of a tartan woven to be joined?

Excellent Dixiecat. But..... is the piece symmetrical? Is the line white? Yes it's an example of a piece to be joined - and therefore? And why would the twill run in the opposite direction?

I can also see the single worsted yarns. Would the yellow be a faded green dye?

Yes

It also looks nicely woven. As in no thick/thin yarns and the sett is very symmetrical, white yarns aside.

It's either symmetrical or not. It can't be mostly so. Nicely woven but look carefully and....?

**Dixiecat** · 14th August 12, 11:59 AM

If you disregard the very thin white (yellow?) lines as noted in previous posts, the sett appears to be symmetrical. If adding the very thin white (yellow?) lines into the sett, then no, not completely symmetrical until the piece was joined. The twill would run in the opposite direction if the piece originally was one long thin length, cut into two lengths (with left and right hand side), then one length is turned and then sewn along the length so that the two right hand sides are joined.

So, a joined piece could be a plaid, bedding, shroud (?) and curtains. Maybe those sewing pieces are remnants of curtain tabs?

The thin white lines, look white, and zooming in they still look white, albeit more creamy than white. If they were originally another colour, you'll have to tell us.