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

[Tobus]

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

Well, now that I look at it in minute detail, I see some very odd patterns. I'm re-posting the photo below for reference. At the very top of the small piece, the twill of the red line seems to reverse itself every couple of threads, sort of like a herringbone pattern. But that doesn't match anything in the larger piece of tartan. So is this piece not from the same cloth as the larger one?

Also, what is that just below the folded-back portion of the small piece? It almost looks like a reinforced "keyhole" style button-hole stitch. Possibly even two of them, side-by-side. But I can't tell if the fabric was cut for the button-hole. Is that what this is, or is it just a repair?

[figheadair]

Well, now that I look at it in minute detail, I see some very odd patterns. I'm re-posting the photo below for reference. At the very top of the small piece, the twill of the red line seems to reverse itself every couple of threads, sort of like a herringbone pattern.

Every couple of threads? Sort of like?

But that doesn't match anything in the larger piece of tartan. So is this piece not from the same cloth as the larger one?

Look at the colours of both pieces. And the answer is...?

Also, what is that just below the folded-back portion of the small piece? It almost looks like a reinforced "keyhole" style button-hole stitch. Possibly even two of them, side-by-side. But I can't tell if the fabric was cut for the button-hole. Is that what this is, or is it just a repair?

Not a button hole, nor a repair. What esle is visible in this picture?

[Tobus]

Every couple of threads? Sort of like?

The only thing I can think of is that this particular portion looks like a herringbone tweed pattern.

Look at the colours of both pieces. And the answer is...?

The colours look the exact same to me, on my computer screen. Perhaps these are two different weaving styles from the same mill, using the same thread?

But now that I look even more closely, I see on the main piece of fabric that it has a regular set of vertical 'bumps' in the pattern. Roughly spaced at about the same thread spacing as the reversed twill on the small piece. You can see it distinctly running vertically down the fabric from just to the left of the small piece.

Is this tweed? I'm not exactly sure what differentiates or defines tweed as such, but it sure looks like it has some of the same characteristics as tweed.

Not a button hole, nor a repair. What esle is visible in this picture?

Well, um, I see a selvedge on the folded-back portion of the small piece. I also see an errant blue thread that seems to run from the center of the small piece straight down the main piece of fabric. I can't tell if it's just a weaver's mistake or a thread that got snagged or what. I'm not even sure it's relevant.

I feel like one of those people who look at 3D posters but can never see the 3D image.

[figheadair]

The only thing I can think of is that this particular portion looks like a herringbone tweed pattern.

That's because it is herringboned.

The colours look the exact same to me, on my computer screen. Perhaps these are two different weaving styles from the same mill, using the same thread?

Herringbone from a mill?

Is this tweed? I'm not exactly sure what differentiates or defines tweed as such, but it sure looks like it has some of the same characteristics as tweed.

Absolutely not! Tweed = a wollen cloth woven from a mixtured yarn.

Well, um, I see a selvedge on the folded-back portion of the small piece.

And so...?

I also see an errant blue thread that seems to run from the center of the small piece straight down the main piece of fabric. I can't tell if it's just a weaver's mistake or a thread that got snagged or what. I'm not even sure it's relevant.

If you look carefully you'll see that it's a trick of the light and that the 'error' only runs down the larger piece. It is a threading error where the sequence has been missed out and so the effect is a jump two places as opposed to the usual one.

[figheadair]

Here's another close up that shows the colours better.

[figheadair]

No more thoughts or observations?

[xman]

Darned, with the same thread I think!

[be da veva]

I'm game to try a bit...
Looking at the last picture, I notice the twill going in opposite direction yet the tartan matches (exept for the light blue thread). Was it simply flipped over and the sewn together? (like a mirror image)
Do we know why here are holes in it? (moth holes, bullet holes, hard uses or simply busted threads?)
As for usage, could it have been used as a cushionned seat in a carriage or an old open car? (meaning out in the opened air and not indoors) Maybe even under a saddle?

[Tobus]

Darned, with the same thread I think!

I'm (quite obviously) way out of my league here, but I think you may be right. I see numerous places where it looks like the cloth has been repaired using the same thread. The twill is distorted and the thread looks much tighter than other areas. Either it was just a really poor quality original weave, or a hand repair.

As to the other issues for which figheadair has been trying to steer me towards an answer, I'm all out of guesses.

[Friday]

When I first saw the piece I thought it could have been a clan battle flag or pennant. I appears that the sewing lines on the right could have been for a pole sleeve and is now opened up. The tabs could have been to secure the flag to the pole. The holes and stains from being used in battle.

However, now I am not sure.

Has any body identified the tartan? This might help.