Fraser and Kirkbright: experiences with their tartan

[Thistle Stop]

For anyone who may be interested to know: I just this moment received some fabric samples in the post from Marton Mills in England. They enclosed swatches of their Jura quality tartan (16 oz.) and their Bute quality (13 oz.). The weights seem to be true, in the swatch books. They sent a cut sample of Bute, as well, showing the selvedge, but nothing to show the selvedge on the Jura (the swatches have pinked edges all round). The Bute selvedge is quite even, with no loose threads showing, which is good, but it is also quite visible and 'shiny'. Some of the shiny quality might get better with wear, but the selvedge does not compare favourably with the N. Batley 'heavyweight' cloth they call Torredon quality -- which is close in weight to what Marton Mills call their medium weight (Bute) -- the Batley Torredon quality is NOT 16 oz./yd., as they claim. Besides having a questionable selvedge, the MM Bute is a bit light for kiltmaking, in my opinion, in the cut sample, though the swatch book samples seem a little better, which is odd. They are more tightly woven than the cut sample. I'd definitely go for MM's Jura in preference to the MM Bute. But I would need to see the Jura selvedge before ordering from them. If it is acceptable, then I'd prefer the MM Jura to the Batley Torredon, just because it's heavier by a couple of ounces per yard.

[beerbecue]

Oh, I just cleared out my browser cache, logged out, logged back in, and I still see the picture.

What is there for those of you who don't see it???

[Alan H]

Beerbecue, I still see it...in both of your posts, actually.

Cyndi, the only hangup with Marton Mills is that their minimum order is enough to make curtains for all of Buckingham Palace! I''m interested to read your comparison, though, since I've snooped their website enough times, but never actually seen the stuff..

I wonder what Glen Affric's stuff is like. They're the ones who make the California tartan.

[chasem]

I see the image in both posts as well

[Colin]

I see the image in both posts as well

me too

[Thistle Stop]

Beerbecue, I still see it...in both of your posts, actually.

Cyndi, the only hangup with Marton Mills is that their minimum order is enough to make curtains for all of Buckingham Palace! I''m interested to read your comparison, though, since I've snooped their website enough times, but never actually seen the stuff..

I wonder what Glen Affric's stuff is like. They're the ones who make the California tartan.

Now I can see the selvedge image, thanks.

Marton Mills will do as little as 5 metres, but they call it a 'sample length'. The next increments are 15 m and 25 m.

[Thistle Stop]

Alan, do you have contact info for Glen Affric Weavers? (Or does anyone on the forum have it?)

[Alan H]

Now I can see the selvedge image, thanks.

Marton Mills will do as little as 5 metres, but they call it a 'sample length'. The next increments are 15 m and 25 m.

EH??? *blink* that's not what they told me....PM coming your way!!