Another Hunting Stewart thread

[Aspiringloser]

Alan's current thread about Fraser and Kirkbright's remnant Hunting Stewart got me thinking about my piece in my to do pile. Notice how the midway point between selvedges has a double yellow line. It's as if when the loom was warped, they started at each edge and worked in rather than the middle and worked outward. I've never seen this on any other tartan in my limited kiltmaking experience. Is this a common thing? By the way, this is Locharron 16 oz.

[davidlpope]

First time I've ever seen this, but it sort of makes sense on an asymmetric tartan. Can you post photos of the corresponding selvedges? It may be that they did this because they were counting on the fabric being split for kilts...

[Aspiringloser]

Sure, I'll snap another pic.

[The Wizard of BC]

This is not usual but common enough that you do see it. Especially on custom weaves or where the Tartan pattern must be in a particular relationship to the hem.

For example; When we had Stewart Hunting custom woven for the Canadian Scottish Regiment we specified that the yellow stripe had to be a certain distance from the selvedge edge on both selvedges.
In this case the result was very similar to your fabric. The yellows are not quite as close together but visually noticeable.



The reason is of course, that when on parade the kilts give a uniform appearance.



Notice in the second photo, how the kilts second and third from the right are noticeably different from the rest. These are two of the Regt's. older kilts. The rest are mine with the new fabric.

[Aspiringloser]

I was hoping you'd chime in, Steve. I know you see a lot of this tartan. Thanks for the input.

[RockyR]

MM also does this with their Stewart Hntg. It Makes it easier to split the cloth for single width kilts (since it's an asymmetrical tartan, that's how the cloth is most often ordered), but it does present a challenge for fly plaids!