Circus/rainbow tartan/plaid wanted

**kiltmaker44** · 28th July 10, 09:08 AM

Hello everyone,

I am looking for some relatively inexpensive very brightly coloured tartan or plaid fabric (cotton is fine) suitable for a clown outfit I am making for a highland dance choreography number. I know there is a Rainbow tartan registered, but it would be too pricey for our purpose. Any thoughts?

**davidlpope** · 28th July 10, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by kiltmaker44

I am looking for some relatively inexpensive very brightly coloured tartan or plaid fabric (cotton is fine) suitable for a clown outfit I am making for a highland dance choreography number.

At the risk of seeming a little oversensitive, I'm not sure that the idea of clown-kilts will be that well-received. Even for those of us who are non-Scots, there's a lot of significance tied to the traditional dress of the Highlands. I'm a bit worried that this will seem to be in bad taste, sort of like asking for brightly covered material to make "clown yarmulkes"...

That said, most fabric stores have a pretty wide range of generic tartans/ checks, some of them in heinously bright colors.

David

**sydnie7** · 28th July 10, 09:40 AM

Pink and orange?
Pink and orange
Patchwork?
Patchwork(other colors available)
You could also try eBay.

BTW, I read this as a "clown outfit in plaid" vs. a clownish kilt, but could be wrong (and often am).

**ctbuchanan** · 28th July 10, 09:42 AM

Ye gads - with all the Scots and Tartan Army guys wearing those crazy bonnets with the red hair etc. all over Europe it's hard to imaging people getting too upset over a clown outfit if its all done in fun and not malicious.

Just my 2 pennies worth.

**kiltmaker44** · 28th July 10, 10:29 AM

Not to worry, I am not planning a kilt. Just some tartan/plaid in other parts of the dance costume.

**MacLowlife** · 28th July 10, 10:53 AM

Well, three suggestions, 5 words:

Burberry
(loud) McLeod
Modern Buchanan

To my mind, the "I got hit by a Burberry Tartan Bomb" look is as comical as anything you can do, but for sheer exuberance, it is hard to fight the cheerful colors of yellow and black McLeod or Buchanan Modern.

Nobody rioted when the Bay City Rollers overdid it, so I expect you can have a tartan clown with no cultural repercussions. I do hope so.

**Detroitpete** · 28th July 10, 11:00 AM

Also--not sure of how a Rainbow tartan might be taken in this display considering its association with the LGBTQ community????

A kilted-clown doing a highland dance--does sound a bit fun to watch though. Do you have them tossing cabers too?

**Zardoz** · 28th July 10, 11:01 AM

The 'Scottish Weaver' has a few tartans in cotton, depending on what you consider 'relatively inexpensive'.
http://www.thescottishweaver.com/Cot...anPlaidFabric/

**Bugbear** · 28th July 10, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by Detroitpete

Also--not sure of how a Rainbow tartan might be taken in this display considering its association with the LGBTQ community????

A kilted-clown doing a highland dance--does sound a bit fun to watch though. Do you have them tossing cabers too?

Not that there's anything wrong with LGBTQ clowns.

I think sydnie7 has the best suggestions, good luck.

**kiltmaker44** · 28th July 10, 11:31 AM

The orange and magenta might be just right. Especially since I know just where to get pumpkin orange velvet. I'm sure I could throw that into the mix somewhere. Now I just have to convince DD who seems to think a clown should be read and white (she has a combo of the dress and royal stewart in mind I think).

We are a long way from final decisions so if anyone has more suggestions post-away!