Perhaps I was a bit abrupt in dismissing American Heritage. I used one word to say in one sentence what I stated better in another. American Heritage is morbid. It looks like the sound of Taps. During 28 years of service I've stood at attention too many times with tears in my eyes hearing Taps played to commemorate a death or other solemn occasion. That tune breaks my heart. A tartan designed to look like the sound of Taps mustn't have come from a happy place. It's more about death than life. Indeed in times of war, more live than die. Why aren't their spirits woven into a tartan?

On the other hand, American District, American Bicentennial or such are tartans that look like the sound of Reveille when the flag soars or To the Colors when the flag is lowered slowly and folded with honor. These are tunes about living and carrying on.

I'm surprised joyous American tartans aren't a stock item with any kilt maker, or so it seems. They seem to me to be something that many would want to wear. P/v tartan seems the most practical form of it to me. The colors would be bright, it could easily be maintained. It could be made up into 7-9 yard kilts, or into more casual kilts. Given the number who have expressed reluctance to wear Scottish tartans because the don't feel Scottish enough, or clanish enough, those of us of the rabble who are US citizens are American enough that we needn't hesitate to wear a glorious red, white and blue tartan celebrating life in America, and not death.