Fringing tartan?

[Paul]

Hi guys. I need some tartan fringed for a plaid. Would I be able to do this myself?

[MacLowlife]

sure. It takes minimal skill, but a fair amount of patience. Some say "just pull the threads" while others say "cut tiny slits and pull the threads." It is possible to "mess up" if you cut your slits other than perfectly, but you only lose a few threads. Your cat can show you how.

[piperdbh]

If you're wanting fringe a couple of inches deep, say on the edges of a plaid, all you do is clip 1 or 2 threads in from the edges of the selvedges, then pull the cross-wise threads out. It's possible to pull them out without clipping, but it's not as fast.
If you want the edges purled, like this photo from Scotweb:


then you need to follow these instructions, courtesy of Barb T. in an earlier thread:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...x.html?t=16689

[walkerk]

http://www.alteredcloth.com/blog/200...-and-wraps.php

[Mipi]

Thanks for very useful info.

[Heming]

I don't snip, but I use a blunt embroidery needle to help worry out the threads. Just two or three at a time, carefully and mind-numbingly slowly. But the result is worth it.

Purling is optional, but looks good. Use walkerk's link, but remember to twist until the threads kink every time. And purling shortens the fringe a lot, so if you want two inches of purls, you have to worry out three inches of threads...

[kiltedwolfman]

When I made mine I used my cat brush ( cleaned of course ;) ). I found the small wires easily caught the threads and made it much quicker.