recycling tartan

**CMcG** · 27th August 10, 02:00 PM

I recently acquired a vintage, girl's kilt-skirt in the Alberta provincial tartan. Somewhat surprisingly, the wool is medium weight worsted! Unfortunately, it doesn't fit my lass...

I then took a look at Slohairt's thread about 3-4 yard "recycled" box-pleated kilts. This kilt-skirt is perhaps a little small unless maybe I could use a different fabric for the under-apron... it is about 2.5 yards long, consisting of two pieces sewn together to make that length. And it's only 21" wide...

It's nice material and in a somewhat rare tartan that has meaning to me (my province of birth). What would you do to "recycle" it?

Front:

Back:

Close-up of join between the two pieces and the hem:

**Pleater** · 27th August 10, 02:41 PM

Return it to a straight piece of material and use it as a plaid?

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**piperdbh** · 27th August 10, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by Pleater

Return it to a straight piece of material and use it as a plaid?

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

...or a picnic blanket.

**Bugbear** · 27th August 10, 03:32 PM

Lay it across the back of your couch.

**CMcG** · 29th August 10, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by Pleater

Return it to a straight piece of material and use it as a plaid?

Currently in the process of returning it to a straight piece of material. A plaid ( (or picnic blanket or couch throw) would definitely be the easiest options.

I'm still toying with the idea of using a different colour of fabric for an underapron, and thereby making up the yardage for a casual/contemporary box pleat kilt...

Or a waistcoat? And a necktie?

**Pleater** · 29th August 10, 08:57 AM

The weather has changed here in the South of England, wind and cold rain - after a long hot dry summer suddenly the idea of having a nice warm plaid neatly folded on the shoulder and ready to insulate seems a really good idea.

If your material was a bit longer and wider I'd be with you on the kilt, but I think it is just that bit too skimpit.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**Mipi** · 29th August 10, 11:57 AM

Using different matching fabric for under apron is not bad idea at all. But consult your lass on all possibilities.

**azwildcat96** · 29th August 10, 01:33 PM

Sounds like a lot of work to me...If it's a meaningful tartan, save it for your daughter (if you have one or hope to someday). A tie might be something easy to make, and something that you might get some use out of.

**CMcG** · 29th August 10, 08:45 PM

The kilt-skirt has been disassembled and resulted in a piece of tartan 8' 8" x 20". The waistband produced a small strip measuring approximately 37" x 4".

If I wear a kilt at my p@nt$ waist, 20" length is actually ok for me, so there is still some small hope that this could be made into a contemporary casual kilt. Now, assuming that it was possible, who could I get to do that?

My lass helped take it apart though and she is starting to eye the fabric with thoughts of another mini-kilt for her. I wouldn't argue with her if she claimed it

There is no selvedge and I preserved the finished fringe. If I were to use it as a blanket/table runner I'd still have to have to do something to the raw edge...

Here are a couple links to descriptions of the tartan for anyone interested. It has been the official tartan of the Canadian province of Alberta since 1961. Interesting to note that the sett is very small; it's only 3.5".
http://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tar...ls.aspx?ref=39
http://culture.alberta.ca/about/emblems/tartans.aspx

**Tiny** · 29th August 10, 08:58 PM

Have you thought of a waistcoat? and the thin strip could go to good use has a hat band for a pair of hats, a his and hers pair of hats might be fun.

Just brain storming. but if you plan on a kilt in that tartan some time anyway then getting a tank in that tartan it would be nice to have a matching waistcoat.