Finding a specialty kilt

[Taffy Jack]

So I was vaguely aware of this a few years back, but am more interested now that I've apparently descended (or rather, perhaps, ascended) to the Rabble: there's been a tartan commissioned for the Psychological Operations Regiment. It is apparently a restricted-wear item.

It may well be considered ugly and counter-traditional by cognoscenti, much as is (per comments read on X Marks) the U.S. Army tartan. Nevertheless, I'd like one. I've no kin ties to Scotland the Brave, but several to exercitus mater.

This is the tartan:

https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/ta...ails?ref=10822

Also locable via the tartan ferret, albeit without image:

http://www.tartansauthority.com/tart...tions-regiment

It is available as a kilt at modest cost from SportKilt:

https://sportkilt.com/product/9909/P...port-Kilt.html

...along with PSYOP flashes, which I intend to order from them.

However, I believe I'd rather have any kilt I own to be woven in wool. Can anyone point me to a maker able and willing to source this cloth to build a 13- or 16-oz. traditional kilt?

Thanks to you Rabbling lot for any help with this (admittedly idiosyncratic) quest. I'll also contact the Regiment for updates -- the most recent thing I've seen on it dates from 2012.

Cheers,

Jack

[Benning Boy]

Personally, I'd go with Robin Elliot for a Scottish weaver, or Marton Mills in England. I've bought from both and haven't had any issues. Elliott is one of the nicest persons to deal with you ever will encounter. I've talked with him on the phone. I've also talked with functionaries at MM and had good service. They also respond to email fairly well. My only gripe with MM is they insist on sending their tartan by UPS, which adds about $100 to the overall cost of the goods. Elliot use Roymail at a much more reasonable cost, and his shipment to me arrived in three or four days, about as fast as something mailed within the US.

[bikercelt1]

I had a custom tartan woven by Dalglish and it came out awesome. Matt Newsome helped me with that project but I understand that he is on hiatus for the time being. Maybe Steve or Rocky could help. They'd be my go-to guys if I was attempting something like this right now.

[Benning Boy]

Here's a thread that may help you.


http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-buyers-88206/

I had hoped it would be made a sticky in the tartan subforum. The moderators didn't do anything about it. Maybe I need to goose them as I think the thread deserves permanent attention

[davidlpope]

It looks like a rip-off of the Urquhart tartan...

http://www.lochcarron.co.uk/media/ca...-72dpi-rgb.jpg

[Taskr]

I've been happy with two kilt/cloth projects through House of Edgar.

[Taffy Jack]

It looks like a rip-off of the Urquhart tartan...

http://www.lochcarron.co.uk/media/ca...-72dpi-rgb.jpg

While that is an interesting reference, and admirably displays the breadth of your knowledge, I'm comfortably certain that it was not intended as a "rip-off" of anyone's clan heritage. Rather, it appears (to me) to be a good-faith effort to integrate and solidify strains of military culture which already enjoy many international overlaps.

The soldiers of the regimental association who commissioned it, while not professional kilt makers, are hardly the sort you'd wish to tar as dishonorable men.

Cheers,

Jack

[Taffy Jack]

Apparently, a woman in Fairbanks who weaves small custom batches made a scarf in the PSYOP tartan. Located this shot on Facebook (see link):

https://www.facebook.com/15329559806...type=3&theater

I think it's rather handsome: a bit understated, but brighter than the U.S. Army tartan.

Can't tell from her site whether she weaves "harder" wools in lengths suitable for kilts, or only small-batch, soft, merino blends for scarves and such. Will check with her and find out.

Cheers,

Jack

EDIT: She does not, per her website, weave yardage for kilts.

[McMurdo]

Here is the thread on my Royal Naval Association kilt. At the time we went to D.C. Dalgliesh for the tartan and I had Barb Tewksury both sew it up and handle that part of it as she already had a relationship with the mill it seemed the best way to go.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...odyssey-35853/

Having a special weave was not as expensive as you might think, for me it was worth it and almost a decade later I've not had one regret in this project or the outcome. The fact that my dear departed Uncle Murdy feels, to this day, closer to me through this kilt is reward enough.

These days you have little choice I'm afraid however there are still weaving mills to talk to. When we did the weave for the Scottish Wildcat Tartan we shopped it out to several of the weaving companies but for the first run went with D.C. Dalgliesh and for the subsequent runs have gone with Andrew Elliott Weavers.

https://www.dcdalgliesh.co.uk/
http://elliot-weave.co.uk/index.php?page=links

I hope this helps in your quest.