Time for a New York State tartan?

**Brian K** · 26th April 10, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Wompet

I like the looks of it, but if I may make three points:

The colors are an almost perfect match to the Buffalo tartan. You might consider different shadings so the two tartans are more dissimilar.
I personally would go with a slate gray instead of the morning grey - to me it better evokes the architecture of New York's cities - solidity with style.
Just wanted to reiterate this. You may want to make further revisions using a different tartan designer - Matt Newsome recommended this one in his blog, and there have been a couple of others mentioned around the forum.

Thanks for your input, Wompet, I do appreciate it.

I took a look at the Buffalo tartan and I don't really see much similarity. Perhaps the color range is similar in some respects, but that could be said of a lot of traditional tartans. Look at how many are based on the Government Sett.

As regards your concern about Scotweb's weaving rights, please see my reply to Ryan above.

I don't know if you've ever used an online tartan designer, or any tartan design software, but I have not found a designer that is as user friendly as Scotweb's. I have tried several others and they're generally wonky and clumsy to use. Scotweb also has a greater variety of colors available to work with. The Croft Weaver you provided a link for is nearly as nice, but even its advanced color selection pales in comparison to Scotweb's. Maybe it's just me, but I am not really comfortable with any other designer.

**Brian K** · 26th April 10, 08:58 PM

Wompet,

I forgot to mention in my reply to you that I considered a darker grey for my design, but I thought it was too dark. In any event, slate grey is not a standard color at Scotweb (and since they have a vary large selection of standard weaver's colors it's perhaps the case with most weavers) and a special color makes a tartan more expensive. Besides, the grey I was looking to match was that of concrete, which is a much more common grey in today's cities than are those of slate or other natural stones.

Regards,

Brian

**Woodsheal** · 27th April 10, 05:31 AM

So, what's the next step? It seems to me: registering the tartan, then going after the legislators to introduce a bill or resolution, and Scottish societies to lobby in support of the effort....

**Brian K** · 26th April 10, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

It looks like a fantastic tartan to me!

Do remember that anything that you save using the Scotweb tartan designer automatically belongs to Scotweb, though. That means that, if you should be able to push this tartan all the way to the top and get it adopted by the state, Scotweb will be the only one who can weave it legally. Just wanted to make mention of that.

Again, that's a fantastic looking tartan. Keep up the good work!

Thanks, Ryan, I appreciate your kind words.

I'd like to think that some sort of deal could be worked out with Nick that would respect Scotweb's weaving rights yet not make the material difficult, or too expensive, to acquire. I'd really like to see how it would look in Harris tweed, as he showed in the thread about his trip to the Isles.

BTW, I love the new bonnets you're making for the Museum. The price is a bit steep for me, but someday....

Regards,

Brian

**Nick Fiddes** · 27th April 10, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by Ryan Ross

Do remember that anything that you save using the Scotweb tartan designer automatically belongs to Scotweb, though.

I hereby waive any rights we may have in this tartan design.

Nick

**Brian K** · 27th April 10, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Nick (Scotweb)

I hereby waive any rights we may have in this tartan design.

Nick

Thanks, Nick. I appreciate it. Your're a gentleman and a scholar...and a judge of fine whisky, too, I'm sure.

Gratefully,

Brian

**Bob C** · 29th April 10, 09:59 AM

I love the concept. Someday, when my kids are out of college, I'd even consider ordering a kilt in a NY tartan. Won't be spending that kind of money on clothing before then.

My only comment on the actual design is that New York's official colors are blue and gold. I'd like to see a gold stripe in there.

As for approval, I know a few state legislators through my job and could probably get their support. My state assemblyman actually has his district office in the same building as the bar where we have our kilt nights.

**Woodsheal** · 29th April 10, 10:26 AM

Hmmm... perhaps a gold line in the blue in place of the thin gray lines? It could then be pleated to that gold stripe. I'd like to see how that looked (as long as it wasn't a bright yellow!)....

**Brian K** · 29th April 10, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

Hmmm... perhaps a gold line in the blue in place of the thin gray lines? It could then be pleated to that gold stripe. I'd like to see how that looked (as long as it wasn't a bright yellow!)....

I'll see what I can work up with a gold stripe. The current design has six colors. If you go beyond that it's my understanding - correct me, someone, if I'm wrong, it adds to the difficulty of weaving and, therefore, the expense.

**beerbecue** · 29th April 10, 12:41 PM

I used the Scotweb designer, and stuck with the 6 colors in the weavers section, and fiddled a bit...

http://picasaweb.google.com/dr.jesse...eat=directlink

the ones with red, 2 blues, white, heather, green - roses, ladybugs and apples; lakes and bluebirds; milk; lilac; maples and forests

the ones with gold, 2 blues, white, heather green - pretty much the same, but incorporating the gold of the state colors and eliminated the red

just noticed the sett size indicator.... wasn't paying attention to that....