Surprise with the US Air Force Reserve Pipe Band Tartan

[mookien]

Barb: I don't recall you writing until now that the weaver you ordered the USAF RPB from was actually Strathmore. Please point out to me where you mentioned that earlier, so I can see where/how I missed it, and read more carefully in the future. I'm sorry if I missed that salient point. No wonder we seemed to be on different wavelengths.

That makes a huge difference in the discussion. If you asked Strathmore to custom weave the USAF RPB tartan and they sent you the US Air Force (Not Official) tartan, then that is either a mistake, or an indication that Strathmore regards them as one and the same tartan (which we both mentioned, as at least a possibility, in earlier posts). That would be consistent with the US Air Force (Not Official) tartan not being registered. I like to think that is not possible with tartans that have different threadcounts, but what do I know?!

That, of course, and as you have pointed out, raises the difficult question of how much can a weaver modify a tartan and it still be regarded as the same tartan. I have little experience/knowledge in that area so I cannot comment substantively on that question.

What it does bring to mind is the advice that has often been given on the blog - before you order the cloth, get a swatch so you can see exactly what you are ordering. It's slower, but surer.

I'm glad we had this little exchange - brief, but to the point. I hope our next one is lengthier and involves a more complicated subject.

Slainte!

John

[Barb T]

Barb: I don't recall you writing until now that the weaver you ordered the USAF RPB from was actually Strathmore.

[Head banging on desk...] Sigh.... I didn't say that Strathmore did the weave for me last summer. In fact, it was D.C. Dalgliesh. I merely stated that the USAF uniform tartan that Carolyn is wearing in the pic was custom woven by Strathmore for the Band. The tartan she is wearing is NOT the tartan I had woven last summer - all you have to do is look at the tartan and see that she is wearing Strathmore's Air Force tartan and not the one I had woven (which is the one in the Registry).

[mookien]

Barb: Well then, I have to say it again. I do not think there is any problem, question, mystery, etc.

If one wants the USAF RPB Tartan, ask the weaver to weave it from the Registries.

If one wants the US Air Force (Not Official) tartan, then buy it from Strathmore, or ask a custom weaver, like Dalgliesh to weave it, assuming they can get permission from Sthrathmore to do so.

And, of course, get a swatch to make sure it is correct.

John