Tartan Advice

[CaseyB]

I have recently returned from my first trip to Scotland where I have become completely enthralled with kilts! I currently have a somewhat poor quality BlackWatch kilt, but I would love to get a nice one made from a custom tartan. My brother has come up with a tartan that I think it pretty nice, but I would like some advice from some folks who have more experience than I have (which is just about everyone) about the feasibility of it. Here's the computer mock up:



My specific questions are as follows. The software he used to make it says that it has a 291 thread count, how does that translate into physical sett size in a medium weight fabric? How do you think it would look as a kilt? What is your opinion of the tartan and what advice would you give before settling on it? I look forward to your input!

Casey

[xman]

... 291 thread count, how does that translate into physical sett size in a medium weight fabric? How do you think it would look as a kilt? What is your opinion of the tartan and what advice would you give before settling on it? I look forward to your input!

Should be about a 6 3/4" sett in medium weight. I would like more colour, but otherwise it looks to me like it should work well enough. others with much more expertise than have I should weigh in shortly.

Welcome!

X

[Amble]

Dear CaseyB - As xman says, the 291 thread count would translate into 6.8" sett for 13 oz. fabric or an 8.1" sett for 16 oz. fabric. I think black, grey, white and red make a classic combination and would make a handsome kilt. My only comment is that many of the squares look to be the same size - I guess around 12 or 14 threads wide. I generally find that designs are more pleasing to the eye when made up of thread counts of more variable widths for each colour. For example, try widening or narrowing the dark grey or light grey areas. Alternatively, you could add more colour by making the red wider and narrowing the black or white areas for a more interesting effect. The idea is to get away from the look of many small squares of the same size.

[figheadair]

I'd suggest an ecru (natural) rather than a bleached white as the latter will make the design very harsh.

[ForresterModern]

another option to punch up the color scheme a bit would be to use a slightly brighter red that what appears to be a maroon in the thin white-flanked stipes.

[Jock Scot]

Have a look at the Balmoral(restricted) tartan and the Moffat(not restricted) tartan to give you an idea about black, grey and thin red striped tartans.