"Flash of color" in pleating to the stripe

[artificer]

In order for this to work well, the section of the tartan that you pick has to be just to the right of the color that you want to have "flash". If you don't do this, the pleat reveal won't directly overlie the color that you want to have flash.

So, it would work if you pleated to the dark green block to the right of the light green (i.e., to the "no stripe"). With a sett of 8", the dark green block is certainly wide enough. How much of a flash there is will depend on how much color contrast there is in the actual tartan. You won't know that until you actually have the woven piece in hand.

Wow. That would make for a VERY dark block across the back (but then I hear dark colours are slimming ) The contrast between the very dark green and the acid green is actually quite stark.

Hmm. More things to think about. Thank you, Barb.

[Calico]

The contrast between the very dark green and the acid green is actually quite stark.

The contrast would be even greater if we sew reflective safety tape inside the pleats!

(example here: http://www.amazon.com/Reflective-Tap...8079306&sr=1-4

[kc8ufv]

The contrast would be even greater if we sew reflective safety tape inside the pleats!

(example here: http://www.amazon.com/Reflective-Tap...8079306&sr=1-4

Though not inside the pleats, I have seen kilts with the reflective safety tape...

[glasgow32]

Thats pretty cool.

[Santa Wally]

Awesome effect. Barb, thanks for "revealing" the secret to creating the flash. Your photos illustrate the flash perfectly.

[Sharkman]

That's really an awesome effect. I really like that!

Barb,

When I get rich and famous I would be very happy to have you make me something like that, it's a great look!

[kiltedmapleleaf]

That is an impressive look

[Barb T]

The very first Highalnd Games that I ever went to was the Glengarry Highland Games in Maxville, Ontario. It was before I'd ever made a kilt - in fact, I'd never seen a massed bands before in my life. It's the memorable and fateful day that our daughter, at age 10, saw the Highland dancing competition and said to me, "Oh Mom! That's what I want to do!"

Anyway, one of my main memories of the day (and you have to understand that I am a fibers arts junkie) is someone wearing a kilt in who knows what tartan walking by and it was pleated to the stripe with a fabulous flash of color inside the pleats. I have no idea what tartan it was, but I can still see it in my mind. I thought - wow - that is totally cool. At the time, you could have knocked me over with a feather if a prophet had walked up and said, "Some day, you will post a picture of a kilt that you yourself made that has that fabulous flash of colors." And "post" would have meant nothing because the Internet hadn't been invented yet. How could anyone have every predicted at that time that I would have so many friends that I have never met face-to-face?

[Father Bill]

Barb, you've been a significant friend to all of us, seen and unseen, by the gifts you have given us and continue to give. Thank you!

Bill+

[BCAC]

There are a few photos around of the "Antartic" tartan pleated like this (Ron "Riverkilt" comes to mind) to a really good effect.