Quote Originally Posted by OC Richard View Post
Donald C Stewart says in The Setts of the Scottish Tartans

"Changes of fashion are to be observed in the relative proportions...many of the thread-counts in Logan (1831) seem weak when compared to recent examples: the fine lines are finer, and the open spaces more open...

Unfortunately there has been a tendency in recent years towards a thickening of the patterns, giving a clumsy and congested effect. Greater refinement does not always entail weakness."
Stewart's prose sings rolling off the tongue, but I have NO idea what he means, precisely.

I cannot imagine the "discussions" when someone seeks to register a new tartan. Just HOW different do the thread counts need to be? Must there also be variations in the sequence of stripes? If color is not a determinant, how are comparisons with already registered tartans initiated?

I REALLY appreciate the time you take to try to bring us newbies up to speed on an incredibly complex subject.