What's Your Favorite Universal Tartan?

[Grizzly]

Okay, I know how this is going to sound, but.... with a lining that pretty, how does one manage to keep the kilt ON? I'd be wanting to show it to everybody.

Yes that would be interesting, I could just unbuckle the front apron as the lining extends the whole width. Although that would still appear to a casual observer that I was just about to divest myself.

In which case it will stay safely buckled unless I get extremely lucky. Makes a much more interesting chat up line, as in "would you like to see my Jacobite monument" rather than "would you care to see my etchings"

[PiperChick]

Grizzley, all kidding aside, the lining of that kilt is quite unique. I've seen Paul Henry's site, and I've seen some unique kilts and linings in his gallery. Is that one a piece of fabric that you supplied, or something he had available?

[Grizzly]

In my previous discussions with Paul he mentioned that he was able to obtain fabric that he could get printed to order. The lining for this particular kilt was from one of my own photos that Paul was able to get printed to to a cotton fabric. It was then sized to an appropriate width/depth to be used for a lining. To say that I am impressed with the result is a massive understatement. It is beautiful, I am so pleased with the result and it is even more special as it is my photo. It's fantastic when you have such a skilled kiltmaker.

[PiperChick]

What a great idea. I love it. What a nice tribute to a place you've loved. Truly a one of a kind gem.

I have a place like that - the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland. It's near where my grandmother lives, and it stole my heart in 2008. It's the place I've most wished I could have had my pipes with me.

[HarveyH]

I have a place like that - the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland.

Seeing your exchange, did you know that there is now a Giant's Causeway tartan which is raising money for the Causeway.www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tartanDetails.aspx?ref=10430

Paul Henry had a sample, as the Causeway is one of the favorite places from his childhood. I'll see if I can get a photo from Paul and post it.

[PiperChick]

Harvey, I didn't know that. And a kilt in that tartan would be amazing, for a number of reasons.

My grandmother is originally from the Pittsburgh, Pa area. She was my grandfather's 2nd wife (he was widowed very young) and the only grandmother I knew on my paternal side. My grandfather passed away in 2000 or so in the midst of what I can only describe as set of years that was an avalanche of incredibly difficult times for my whole family. But my grandmother, being the strong soul that she is, through a strange quirk of fate, found love again. She met an old love from her days before my grandfather. He was widowed, and so was she. They had fallen in love in the 1950's, but because of religious differences, they did not get married. Tom is Irish Catholic. By 2002, they had fallen in love all over again. They petitioned the Catholic church both in the US and in Ireland, and were married 12-12-02. She sold the house and moved to Ireland. Her husband, Tom grew up in Derry, and moved just over the border into the Burnfoot area of County Donegal as an adult. This is where my grandmother made her her new home.

To say that she found happiness is an understatement. It was a tremendously brave thing for any woman to do, much less one of 70+ years. She left behind family, friends, job, and country to begin a new life. To say that my family was going through a painful time simultaneously is also an understatement. But she lead by example and lent us her strength when we needed it.

I saw The Giant's Causeway on a trip to Ireland in 2008 to see her. It was strange to see the grandmother I had always known in my grandfather's house in Pittsburgh in a completely foreign environment. It truly was an amazing thing, though, and she had transformed. She suddenly seemed 20 years younger. She glows and smiles in a way that the years prior had not allowed her. She was as vibrant and active as any 40 year old, and as happy as any newlywed. She'd made new friends and had a new adopted family while Skyping to the US to keep in touch with the old.

If you've ever visited The Giant's Causeway, you know the breathtaking beauty of the place without my having to describe it. Seeing that beautiful place in my beautiful grandmother's new home epitomized strength for me, and made me understand the courage of change. If you ever doubt that beauty and strength can coexist, I give you two examples. Both are in the northern region of Ireland. And I defy you to decide which of the two is stronger or more beautiful.

A tartan from there would be amazing. It would be one with a great deal of meaning for me, especially if the proceeds help to protect it.

[Kilted Cole]

Alright....That's it! I just got a new kilt in the mail today...and THIS IS MY FAVORITE UNIVERSAL TARTAN!

[BCAC]

Seeing your exchange, did you know that there is now a Giant's Causeway tartan which is raising money for the Causeway.www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tartanDetails.aspx?ref=10430

Paul Henry had a sample, as the Causeway is one of the favorite places from his childhood. I'll see if I can get a photo from Paul and post it.

Your link didn't work for me so I had a look myself. It is a nice tartan but the register doesn't say anything about it being made to raise money for the causeway?

http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/qRe...nts%20causeway

[English Bloke]

... My grandmother is originally from the Pittsburgh, Pa area...

What a terrific story... Cheers for tellin'.

[artificer]

Alright....That's it! I just got a new kilt in the mail today...and THIS IS MY FAVORITE UNIVERSAL TARTAN!

Not so much a "Universal" as an "Alternate Dimensional" tartan

:cthulhusmiley: