MacArthur Tartan and Marton Mills

**Sheep In Wolf's Clothing** · 4th June 07, 04:25 PM

I am so close to making my dream kilt, and boy am I jonesing to do so.
I have wanted a MacArthur Modern kilt since I found tartan 14 years ago.

The only thing that has been holding me back is money. So for the last six months I have been pricing tartan from various mills. One problem, the MacArthur tartan is not a very popular tartan. The only one I could find really in my price range is from Marton Mills. I ordered a swatch; it's 16oz 110% wool. It seems very nice but I have heard that the selvedge is not always that great. Has anyone worked with their JURA line?

Are there any other mills that do fill small orders? I have checked DC Dagliesh and Fraser & Kirkbright but it seems that I have to order much more then I need (because they don't carry MacA Mod normally). I did wander over to the sites of the big 3 mills (H of E, Lochcarron and Strathmore) but their prices were way out of my league!

Thanks for any advice,
Sara

**Mark Keeney** · 4th June 07, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by Sheep In Wolf's Clothing

The only one I could find really in my price range is from Marton Mills. I ordered a swatch; it's 16oz 110% wool.
Sara

Wow extra wool.

Sorry I don't have any experience with their wool but I'm sure someone has.

**macwilkin** · 4th June 07, 06:26 PM

Look no further than our own Matt Newsome:

http://kilts.albanach.org

T.

**Sheep In Wolf's Clothing** · 5th June 07, 08:50 AM

Oh, I might have not been clear, I plan on making my kilt. I just wanted to know if any of the kilt makers on this forum have worked with this cloth before I went ahead and bought some.
Thanks
Sara

**Barb T** · 5th June 07, 12:46 PM

I just made a kilt from Marton Mills 16 oz tartan. It is very nice stuff. The selvedge isn't as good as most of the Lochcarron tartan I've used, but it's perfectly acceptable (I'm being picky). They price their tartan very reasonably and have a nice range of tartan, many of which others don't carry.

DC Dalgliesh is the only mill of which I am aware who will weave a single kilt length on a custom basis. I've had them do this many times, and the tartan is wonderful. It's also not as expensive as you'd think, given the labor, but it is more than Marton Mills charges for their in-stock tartan.

I just finished a US Air Force tartan kilt for my daughter, and it was a Dalgliesh custom weave. I'll get her to put it on, and I'll take a photo.

Barb

**BEEDEE** · 5th June 07, 01:15 PM

PM Rocky at USA Kilts. I believe he uses Marton Mills. He is making a County Antrim from their Irish Crest range right now for me.

Brian

**Sheep In Wolf's Clothing** · 5th June 07, 02:57 PM

Barb- A picture would be great. I really wanted my new kilt by Maxville (I am running the MacArthur Society of Canada table this year). But on your recommendation (you are my kiltmaking hero) I might wait and keep saving and go with DC Dalgliesh cloth. You posted some information about them in another thread,
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ight=Dalgliesh

is that information still good? Thanks for the advice.

Brian- Thanks for the advice. I might still PM Rocky. I hope your kilt turns perfect for you, after seeing Rocky's work I am sure it will.

Well I guess that there is no rule against two kilts. I could do with an Ancient MacArthur for Christmas!!

Thanks,
Sara

**The Wizard of BC** · 5th June 07, 04:47 PM

I also use the Tartans from Marton Mills. The most recent was a 16 oz. Thomson Blue made for an RCMP officer.

I second Barb's comment that when compared to Lochcarran no other mill can meet the perfection of their selvedge except perhaps Dalglish but Marton Mills has a very nice and acceptable selvedge on their wool fabrics.

It is only some of their P/V that has the fringed selvedge.

Buy with confidence.

**davidlpope** · 5th June 07, 05:15 PM

I recently ordered some tartan from Marton Mills and Batley Mills. Review and link to pics are here:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=27348

In my opinion, the Batley fabric, for the price is probably the better pic. the finish and selvedge are a little nicer.

Cordially,
David

**Riverkilt** · 5th June 07, 11:30 PM

Gotta tell you, if its your clan tartan and you've lusted after it for 14 years you'll thank yourself for buying quality goods to make your kilt from...

There's nothing like the feeling of strapping on your own clan tartan...can only imagine the extra pride of having sewn it yourself.

Don't skimp on the important things.

Ron