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

[Harold Cannon]

In that case, because of the shape, I would venture to say that it was a joined plaid that was turned into chair seats and backs. Possibly for a dinning room chair(s). A joined plaid would have enough fabric to do a good number of chairs so that seems to be a plausible idea.

[Tobus]

In that case, because of the shape, I would venture to say that it was a joined plaid that was turned into chair seats and backs. Possibly for a dinning room chair(s). A joined plaid would have enough fabric to do a good number of chairs so that seems to be a plausible idea.

Based on everything so far, I think that's the most logical conclusion. The stains and wear would suggest it has been sat upon, possibly with food or drink spilled on it. The wrinkles in the fabric would be typical for a seat when the padding is compressed during sitting. The size and shape of the piece would be about right for a seat cushion. The stitch line would be about right for where the fabric folds over the (back?) edge of a seat cushion. And the bits of fabric could possibly have been there to tie the cushion down to a frame.

[figheadair]

Here's a closer view of one of those errant pieces.



And the pale line is....?

Not chair covers, so....?

[xman]

Here's a closer view of one of those errant pieces.



And the pale line is....?

Not chair covers, so....?

There's another, more skillful join there! Maybe machine sewn? And I don't know what that 'tab' is.
The pale line is Light Blue?

[SlackerDrummer]

Lining in some sort of luggage or storage basket?

[Tobus]

Hmm. In the enlarged detail, that small piece of cloth looks like a backing-piece. I think I can see a square pattern of tight stitches in the middle of it. So perhaps it was supporting something else on the other side of the cloth. Could be a backing for a button, but the stitching doesn't seem to look like it would match a button. It really does look like there was a ribbon or tie attached at that point.

I keep going back, though, to the staining, fading, and wrinkles. The center of the piece, where the dye is faded and the large stain appears, does not have any wrinkles. Yet it is surrounded by wrinkles, suggesting that perhaps this piece of cloth was used to wrap around an item or a part of the body.

Could it be a swaddling cloth? That might explain the stains, fading, wrinkles, etc.

[unclevenus]

Possibly an old table mat/cloth or drink wool coaster?

[figheadair]

Possibly an old table mat/cloth or drink wool coaster?

Eek! That's a very retro-1970s thing. I'd be horrified to find a truly old piece of cloth being used thus; from you may gather that the answer is no.

[figheadair]

I've mentioned in relation to previous pieces that speculation on the use of a fragment is generally nothing more than that - speculation. The first question is what was it originally and if there is evidence of reuse then what might that have been? The latter can be summised from such things as shape, any sewing or the context in which it was found or is now used. There're educated guesses and there are wild flights of fancy. The first step in the research process should be to establish the facts. With that in mind.

Lining in some sort of luggage or storage basket?

No.

Hmm. In the enlarged detail, that small piece of cloth looks like a backing-piece. I think I can see a square pattern of tight stitches in the middle of it. So perhaps it was supporting something else on the other side of the cloth. Could be a backing for a button, but the stitching doesn't seem to look like it would match a button. It really does look like there was a ribbon or tie attached at that point.

Look again at that small piece. You've missed something.

I keep going back, though, to the staining, fading, and wrinkles. The center of the piece, where the dye is faded and the large stain appears, does not have any wrinkles. Yet it is surrounded by wrinkles, suggesting that perhaps this piece of cloth was used to wrap around an item or a part of the body.

Could it be a swaddling cloth? That might explain the stains, fading, wrinkles, etc.

Could be but see the introduction comment to this post. And so the question is....?

[figheadair]

There's another, more skillful join there! Maybe machine sewn? And I don't know what that 'tab' is.
The pale line is Light Blue?

Definitely not machine sewn join and yes, the pale line is light blue.