Time to VOTE for a NY State tartan

**Jock Scot** · 21st May 10, 02:04 AM

As an outside observer, who is not voting and has no artistic "eye" whatsoever, I would vote for "C", only with an 8 maybe 10 inch sett.

**Brian K** · 21st May 10, 06:11 AM

Originally Posted by Jock Scot

As an outside observer, who is not voting and has no artistic "eye" whatsoever, I would vote for "C", only with an 8 maybe 10 inch sett.

Thanks, Jock. A Highlander's insight into matters tartan is always appreciated.

Brian

**berserkbishop** · 21st May 10, 10:07 AM

I am a new visitor to NY state (stationed here for about a year), but as such I would consider getting a kilt in a NYS tartan. I have to say that I am not really a fan of any of these designs. C looks a lot like McLeod of Harris and B is just to busy for my eye. I congratulate you for you devotion to this project and thanks for putting in the time.

I mean no offense, just adding an opinion to pot.

Bishop

**Woodsheal** · 21st May 10, 10:29 AM

I hear you Bishop! A is my favorite. It's unique and I like the overall muted quality. But, I guess it's unpleatable (at least to the stripe)!
C is a nice design and very attractive, but to me it looks like a bazillion other tartans....

**Brian K** · 21st May 10, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

I hear you Bishop! A is my favorite. It's unique and I like the overall muted quality. But, I guess it's unpleatable (at least to the stripe)!
C is a nice design and very attractive, but to me it looks like a bazillion other tartans....

I, too, like A and B best (more B than A maybe?) but, as Amble started with a design of mine, I feel a connection to C as well. I definitely appreciate ALL comments, pro and con, but there are times when I wish someone else had started this thread/discussion/project/whatever you want to call it. I find myself worrying about it a lot and I sometimes think I should have had an another choice or two in the poll.

Believe me, if we can come up with a better alternative I'm not going to mind. My goal is mainly for us to end up with a tartan for New Yorkers that we can be pleased to wear. If someone else designs it or makes it happen it will only make me happy.

OK, now I'm going to beat my head against a wall a few more times

Regards,

Brian

**Woodsheal** · 22nd May 10, 06:41 AM

I definitely agree to the need for support from these organizations to get a tartan adopted by the state. However, opening up the design process to all and sundry will perpetuate said process till doomsday!
How many people are tartan designers? Damn' few. I still think the best way to proceed is to present a finished design, and then seek backing for it....

**macwilkin** · 22nd May 10, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

I definitely agree to the need for support from these organizations to get a tartan adopted by the state. However, opening up the design process to all and sundry will perpetuate said process till doomsday!
How many people are tartan designers? Damn' few. I still think the best way to proceed is to present a finished design, and then seek backing for it....

Spot on, Brian!

T.

**Brian K** · 22nd May 10, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

I definitely agree to the need for support from these organizations to get a tartan adopted by the state. However, opening up the design process to all and sundry will perpetuate said process till doomsday!
How many people are tartan designers? Damn' few. I still think the best way to proceed is to present a finished design, and then seek backing for it....

Agreed, Brian. Even if we end up deciding we're not thrilled with what we have here and want to start over I would not suggest throwing the design process open and starting some sort of contest. I enjoy designing and Amble is very talented - between the two of us we can handle that part.

Where we're really going to need a lot involvement is marshaling support from the various Scottish organizations around the state. Everything from the state St Andrews Society to local groups and Highland games organizers. The NYC Tartan Day parade committee might be a good place to get some support also. If anyone should support such an effort they should.

Regards,

Brian

**joecool** · 22nd May 10, 07:10 AM

Since I am not from New York (or ever even been to New York) I won't vote officially, but I did want to say that the "C" tartan is my favorite. I think that tartan would make a fine kilt. Good luck!

**OC Richard** · 23rd May 10, 05:41 AM

I must have missed something: did Barbara say that design A would be difficult/impossible to pleat to the sett?

My answer to that would be that pleating to the sett isn't necessary or even preferable in my opinion. Tartan A could be "pleated to the block", to the open green area, for example.

Which brings up an interesting issue: in The Art of Kiltmaking "pleating to the block" isn't mentioned. What is mentioned is the "unfortunate lawnchair effect" of having horizonal elements predominate.

But this sort of pleating is rather common. Some military kilts and many Pipe Band kilts are pleated that way. It's not always a clear-cut thing, because kilts can be pleated to the stripe, but to a stripe which is very weak, so at any distance the kilt appears to be pleated to the block.

In any case I wouldn't reject a strong tartan design simply because it doesn't lend itself to one specific style of pleating.