a gift

**hot_rod29** · 10th July 10, 12:14 AM

A little background. Since I'm doing research on the kilt fabric I want for my wedding (Stewart Hunting Modern) I already have or am in the process of ordering some swatches. Then I decided to make this practical necessity into a gift. My mom is an avid tartan junkie, but almost exclusively for Stewart tartans since that is her family. I looked around and am going to order several additional swatches from scotweb that represents the best of the heavy weight kilt fabrics IMO in the various Stewart tartans from HoE, Lochc, ect. Since my fiance doesn't care THAT much about the various patterns can't really get her opinion if this is a suitable Christmas gift. What does the rabble think?

I'm trying to find a fabric sample book to put them in (to use as a coffee table book). But am so far not having luck. I have seen a few leather bound sample books at some tailor shops that used to look nice. Anyone have ideas for finding an empty book, or even one with other tartans?

I like the Idea of giving my mom a gift that is probably something that the rest of the family (at least the cousins we hangout with) will envy. And if anyone else likes the idea feel free, that's why I posted it.

**BoldHighlander** · 10th July 10, 01:22 AM

I think it's a wonderful idea, and I'm sure it's something your mother will greatly treasure!

**Chas** · 10th July 10, 04:20 AM

I would find a bookbinder - one of the old fashioned sort. Work with him to have a book built from scratch. Pages from other books can be incorporated so that ancient and modern can be mixed together. It would end up as a totally unique heirloom.

Regards

Chas

**Paul Henry** · 10th July 10, 04:25 AM

Originally Posted by Chas

I would find a bookbinder - one of the old fashioned sort. Work with him to have a book built from scratch. Pages from other books can be incorporated so that ancient and modern can be mixed together. It would end up as a totally unique heirloom.

Regards

Chas

Did someone mention bookbinder...

Hotrod,I'd be very have to chat to you about albulm type things, obviously I'm a bit far away , but I might be able to give you some ideas.The thought that you would want some extra space as well to add new versions would be good as well, but your idea is a lovely one

**dutchy kilted** · 10th July 10, 04:57 AM

Great idea!

May I reccmmend Tony Haverstick in Lancaster, PA?

http://www.waterstreetbindery.com

He has done everything short of a Guttenberg bible and might be able to help you out.

**MacMillans son** · 10th July 10, 07:24 AM

Or, if you want something even more hands on, scrapbooking is quite popular in some parts of the country and there are specialty stores dedicated to that hobby. The books can run from very plain to heirloom quality, and would give you and your wife/family an opportunity to work together on the arrangements.

With the plethora of Stewart tartans available it is sure to be lovely gift to view, and hopefully will get much practical use as well with the next generations of kilt wearers!

Great gift idea!

**artificer** · 10th July 10, 07:27 AM

I think it's a lovely gift idea, and second the notion of getting it professionally bound (perhaps in the classic 'library' navy, oxblood, or sage green leather).

A few blank pages at the back would be excellent, for small keepsake type items that fit the theme.

Please keep us up on how this develops.

**billmcc** · 10th July 10, 08:35 AM

If professional binding is out of your reach, there are many places (online and off) that sell scrapbooks and supplies. I just did a Google search on scrapbooking supplies and got over a million hits.

You could expand on your idea and include things like a Stewart coat of arms, clan badge, brief clan history and such.

**hot_rod29** · 10th July 10, 09:48 AM

I thought it was a good idea, but it's always nice to have some validation.

I don't know why i didn't think of scrapbook supplies, since my mother-in-law to be is heavy into that. I still intend to loose mount the fabric swatches, like you would in a sample book, so you can get the full impact of the difference between each weaver and the heft and feel of the materials. The idea of having other items in the book is a great one since I was struggling with exactly how I wanted to identify what each sample was and who the mill was.

I appreciate the ideas and if anyone else has thoughts chime in. and thanks for the offer paulhenry expect a PM from me.
I'll keep posting with what is going on and final decisions. Just waiting for scotweb to be open when I'm not at work so I can call and add the other swatches to the ones that are already ordered.

**Old Hippie** · 12th July 10, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by hot_rod29

I appreciate the ideas and if anyone else has thoughts chime in. and thanks for the offer paulhenry expect a PM from me.

When I was attending graduate school at the University of Iowa, I spent a lot of time in that institution's excellent system of libraries. (A whole library for engineering, another for the social sciences, others for other disciplines -- Heaven!) The university also hosts a bookbinding program, which, along with the library science programs, is contained within the libraries.

I only spent time at three universities in the US, so I don't know how widespread such things are, but it may be worth a look if other options don't come through for you.

I recall several fascinating informational displays through the years, showing many historical ways of constructing books.

:ootd: