Handwoven Material

[figheadair]

Peter, et. al.,

Besides yourself, who else currently handweaves tartan for sale?

Cordially,

David

David, not sure. There are those that weave for themselves and I've seen some really nice stuff. The real problem is that it's difficult to get the right yarn, especially in the US and then, it's a hard living that doesn't pay the bills.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

And note that finding someone who weaves tartan does not necessarily mean they can weave cloth for kilts. I know of plenty of hand weavers who will happily make tartan scarves, sashes, shawls, table runners, stoles, etc. However, they have no experience at all in making cloth for kilting.

Last year I had the pleasure of making a kilt for a young man who hand wove his own material, and it was a real gem. I complimented him on the cloth and told him that it looked and felt just like Peter MacDonald's cloth (I've had to to alterations and once a complete remake of a kilt in your cloth, Peter).

He told me that Peter had given him guidance in the weaving, and I believe even supplied the yarn. :-)

[figheadair]

And note that finding someone who weaves tartan does not necessarily mean they can weave cloth for kilts. I know of plenty of hand weavers who will happily make tartan scarves, sashes, shawls, table runners, stoles, etc. However, they have no experience at all in making cloth for kilting.

Last year I had the pleasure of making a kilt for a young man who hand wove his own material, and it was a real gem. I complimented him on the cloth and told him that it looked and felt just like Peter MacDonald's cloth (I've had to to alterations and once a complete remake of a kilt in your cloth, Peter).

He told me that Peter had given him guidance in the weaving, and I believe even supplied the yarn. :-)

Lamont or Forbes, can't remeber which but the pics looked great and yes I suppied the yarn.

[Mike_Oettle]

Cygnus wrote of Rex’s Jamie Scarlett Clan Chattan: “Incredible! I think I'd be so worried about ruining such a fabulous work of art that I'd have it framed (in bullet-proof glass)!”

But wouldn’t that also be somewhat sacrilegious?
Both that kilt and the two by Figheadair are incredibly fine pieces of work, both in the weaving and in the pleating.
Regards,
Mike

[Cygnus]

But wouldn’t that also be somewhat sacrilegious?

It probably would be - I'm the sort of person that likes to save things and keep them pristine for "future generations" (i.e., a hoarder). My wife is the sort that buys high-quality things and uses them as long as possible before throwing them out or breaking them down and reusing the parts. When I look at these kilts, I see treasured heirlooms; if my wife looked at them, she'd see future throw pillows!
A kilt is for wearing, I'll give you that, but I'd be terrified I'd ruin such an incredible and irreplaceable garment!

[Maksim]

My wife studies to be a handicrafts teacher, and if all goes as planned, we'll be having a smallish (cloth width of max 100 cm) loom from her mother this fall. She's promised she'll teach me to weave, rugs at first, and cloth, when she herself learns it. So maybe some time in the far future, I'll have a cloth I can use for kilting.