Tartan flashes: bias or straight?

[Terry Searl]

Update: I tried Googling "bias-cut tartan flashes", in the hopes of finding suggestions on how to make them. But all that came up were regular tartan flashes, and bias-cut tartan skirts and waistcoats. Turns out bias-cut flashes aren't remotely common. In fact, it would seem there's only one company offering them, and from my personal experience of owning one, I'd consider flashes with a Sport Kilt not unlike getting a matching tie for your gym shorts.

Upon realizing I was on my own, I decided the best course of action was to cut a thin piece of basswood to 1.5" wide. Then I wrapped the fabric around it and pinned it in place before pressing it with the iron:
Attachment 33049 Attachment 33050
Please try your best to ignore the vinegar-water stains on my ironing board.

After that I slid the wood out and pressed it again, and of course did the same for the other three. Once they cooled, I proceeded with Barb Tewksbury's flashmaking technique using double-sided interfacing and iron-on hem tape. Apologies for not documenting this portion of the process, but once I get going, the last thing on my mind is stopping to take pictures (ADD goes both ways ). But I at least took a pic of the partially completed flashes, sitting on wax paper because the Fray Check on the ends is still drying:
Attachment 33051

So there you have it. Now to resume finishing the actual kilt with which I intend to wear them...

I'm really enjoying the effort and photos you are posting with this project.........good on ya'.........I'm looking forward to seeing how it all comes together

[Dollander]

Okay, don't close the thread. I'm sorry I overreacted...as I admit I'm prone to do.

Still, it can be frustrating. I'm fully aware that tartan flashes are a recent invention and thus not "traditional". But then, neither is the medium-apron, wide-waistband, 14-pleat RevK kilt I'm making. Same goes for plans for my outfit to be occasionally accompanied by a mini plaid*, and an Irish caubeen with a purely decorative brooch and a small tartan "hackle" rather than the usual balmoral or glengarry with a clan crest badge.

I don't do these things just to be different. I'm sticking with the "pocketless utility kilt" design for this kilt because I like how it looks with a portion of the pleats visible from the front, and probably would've kept to mid-rise with a slope rather than full-rise were it not for wanting the option of including a waistcoat. I added a second button to the front of my Argyll because I thought it gave me a more flattering fit, and replaced the chrome buttons with antiqued pewter because I found it a better match to the rest of my accessories. I bought the caubeen because I prefer the style over that of conventionally Scottish caps, and the mini plaid is likewise so I can add some tartan flair up top if the mood strikes me, without having to deal with the potential awkwardness of a wearing full-sized plaid. And while the idea for the cap brooch came from a desire to avoid redundancy (I already have crest badges on my sporran and sgian), I decided to instead make it a decorative theme with the wooden saltires on my sgian and kilt pin:
accessories.jpg

I understand the conventions involved with full-on formalwear. But part of the reason I've chosen a kilt outfit for regular dresswear is the freedom to be creative with it, to do something that's outside the norm while still maintaining a certain degree of acceptability. Something that actually makes me look forward to opportunities to dress up, rather than begrudgingly putting on a boring old suit when I absolutely couldn't get away with donning black jeans and a sport shirt. So I'm more than bit irked when a certain portion of the community tries to tell me, yes, but don't be too creative with it.



* not a pleated laird's plaid, but a single-width fly plaid that's longer than the jacket but shorter than the kilt (like those offered by House of Edgar)

[Graeme H]

Okay, don't close the thread. I'm sorry I overreacted...as I admit I'm prone to do.

Still, it can be frustrating. I'm fully aware that tartan flashes are a recent invention and thus not "traditional". But then, neither is the medium-apron, wide-waistband, 14-pleat RevK kilt I'm making. Same goes for plans for my outfit to be occasionally accompanied by a mini plaid*, and an Irish caubeen with a purely decorative brooch and a small tartan "hackle" rather than the usual balmoral or glengarry with a clan crest badge.

I don't do these things just to be different. I'm sticking with the "pocketless utility kilt" design for this kilt because I like how it looks with a portion of the pleats visible from the front, and probably would've kept to mid-rise with a slope rather than full-rise were it not for wanting the option of including a waistcoat. I added a second button to the front of my Argyll because I thought it gave me a more flattering fit, and replaced the chrome buttons with antiqued pewter because I found it a better match to the rest of my accessories. I bought the caubeen because I prefer the style over that of conventionally Scottish caps, and the mini plaid is likewise so I can add some tartan flair up top if the mood strikes me, without having to deal with the potential awkwardness of a wearing full-sized plaid. And while the idea for the cap brooch came from a desire to avoid redundancy (I already have crest badges on my sporran and sgian), I decided to instead make it a decorative theme with the wooden saltires on my sgian and kilt pin:
accessories.jpg

I understand the conventions involved with full-on formalwear. But part of the reason I've chosen a kilt outfit for regular dresswear is the freedom to be creative with it, to do something that's outside the norm while still maintaining a certain degree of acceptability. Something that actually makes me look forward to opportunities to dress up, rather that begrudgingly putting on a boring old suit when I absolutely couldn't get away with donning black jeans and a sport shirt. So I'm more than bit irked when a certain portion of the community tries to tell me, yes, but don't be too creative with it.



* not a pleated laird's plaid, but a single-width fly plaid that's longer than the jacket but shorter than the kilt (like those offered by House of Edgar)

Sartorial expression should be encouraged. You don't know until you try! As long as the outfit has genuine thought behind it (as it seems to me it does), then I'm sure it will be a success. Admittedly I am a novice in the intricacies of Highland dress, however as a tailor I encourage every client I see to be expressive and experimental with their commissions, within reason of course.

Good luck to you, sir!

[kingandrew]

I'm glad that you're keeping the thread open. Your efforts and outfit are interesting and I look forward to seeing it all develop and to the finished product.

I don't know that anyone was looking to condemn your ideas, just to provide historical perspective. And it's OK to do something new and different, you just want to make that choice consciously. However, I can also see how some comments might come across as rather strong.

I personally have both self-tie garters and tartan flashes. Which I wear on any given day has to do with how I'm feeling, what I'm planning to be doing in the kilt, the other elements in the outfit, and which kilt I am wearing. I don't feel that one is superior to the other, just suited to different activities.

If you enjoy and like what you're wearing, you will project the confidence that is the real key to looking good. As always, wear the kilt, don't let it wear you and you'll look smashing.

Andrew

[OC Richard]

1) tartan flashes are not traditional

2) I'm wrong for liking them

If you're referring to my post, please note that I didn't state either of those things.

[Dollander]

If you're referring to my post, please note that I didn't state either of those things.

I know that. Like I said, I overreacted, so I again apologize for that as well as inadvertently putting words in people's mouths. That's just the impression I get from the reaction to seemingly common things that many on this forum have issues with.

Back to the project itself...since I still have plenty of fabric left, I decided last night to make the straight version as well, complete with a fringe to somewhat emulate the look of hand-tied garters. I should mention that I have nothing against them, I'm just too paranoid to trust them to stay put as well as their elastic counterparts; I similarly don't feel comfortable without a belt no matter how well-fitted my kilt is (though I did choose a buckle with a design that I think looks good framed by the lower peaks of my waistcoat ). I also considered asking USA Kilts if they could get me the solid Edgar flashes in the muted colors along with the fabric, but after driving myself nuts over which color, I chose to make my own tartan flashes instead. Anyway, here is the final result:
bothflashes.jpg

I'm still working on the ideal way to fold those Lewis hose...the joy of having short legs compared to my overall height, I suppose. And yes, I'm wearing one of each of the flashes, partly for the simplicity of taking the pics but mostly because I only have the one set of garters. I didn't wanna just make the usual velcro set like I have with my casual kilts, so I'll probably order another pair so I needn't go to the trouble of switching them back and forth as the mood strikes me.

Also, I like how the bias-cut ones almost look like a photonegative of a saltire...almost:
photonegativeflashes.jpg