Flash Photograpy Help

[Rex_Tremende]

I wasn't sure if this should go in "Advice," "Accessories," or "Pictures," but here's a picture of an accessory about which I need advice.

So, all you do-it-yourselfers finally inspired me to do something myself:

I decided that I cannot keep these hose up - if I want them up - without garters, so I made these this afternoon.

They are a tad long, no?

Thanks,
Rex in Cincinnati

[Scott Gilmore]

They are a tad long, no?

Not necessarily, Rex, they are really quite nice, but because they're fancy, I would consider them formal wear. That's just my take, of course. They would look better with ghille brogues.

If you plan to wear them informally, yes, I would shorten them up - specifically below the top loop. Perhaps a second, shorter pair of flashes for day wear?

Having said that, I think it's commendable that someone is taking a shot at something other than the usual flashes available off the shelf. If you get good at it and want to make a little disposable income on the side, I'd be interested in purchasing a pair.

Regards,
Scott Gilmore

[Robin]

Well done!

I think they're indeed a tiny bit too long...I really like the small loop...never seen it before

[Hamish]

Very well done, Rex. To be honest, they are a tad long - but they're stunningly good nevertheless.

The loops are not uncommon, especially on flashes made by kiltmakers, but they are usually pressed flat and are not so obvious.

[Jewddha]

They look topnotch. And yes, I do think they look somewhat dressy, maybe lighter/brighter colours for day wear?
Oh, and what are they made out of?

[KiltedCodeWarrior]

A tad shorter, and lose the loop for casual wear. But they are very nice, I would definitely wear a pair for formal occasions.

[Rex_Tremende]

Jewddha, they are made of lengths of black 1.5" grosgrain ribbon, about two feet long each, folded over twice. I stitched the loop down about 1.5" down from the top fold so I can slip them off the garter if I want to go without flashes, or trade them for a different color. The garters were made from lenghts of 3/4" elastic and about two inches of 3/4" Velcro (hook-and-loop) sew-on tape. (A word of advice: Velcro hooks hook wool. If you make garters and don't plan to have the hooks completely covered by the loops, you will damage your hose.) I bought both black and white elastic and Velcro. I may go with 1" elastic and Velcro after I make the first two sets of garters.

I also bought a spool of olive ribbon to go with my olive UK original. However, there was a paucity of choices among 1.5" grosgrain, otherwise I might have also gotten yellow, red, and royal blue to go with my Black Stewart SWK acrylic traditional.

Robin, I saw the top loop on a pair of flashes being offered by one of the vendors at the Kentucky Highland Weekend. I liked the look of that, and figured it was easy to engineer.

Scott, the reason I am making my own is that I have large calves and know (from experience) that the average calf-zone product is probably too small for me. I also looked at the price of what was being offered in the booths and couldn't justify spending $22 or so for lifeless twill tape and elastic. I'm the guy who asks my launderer to sew on my buttons (three times, if necessary), but these were so embarrassingly easy to fabricate, I couldn't possibly sell them. I spent more time in the store deciding on the raw materials than I did making them.

Ham, you have no idea how much you made me blush with the words "stunningly good." Coming from you, that means a lot.

Yes, these do look a bit formal, and if I had formal wear, I might leave them be and make another set shorter, per Scott's suggestion. After looking at the photo several times and accepting your judgment, I think I am going to shorten the bottom ribbon to about where the middle one is now, and find a good median length for the middle ribbon. I don't think I'll shorten the loop, though, as my piper hose (which stay up on their own) make a larger turn-down. I won't trim these until I try them on the other style of hose. I'm going to let gravity flatten the loop.

Thanks for your feedback,
Rex.

[smaughazard]

Very nice, Rex- and I think you're exactly right on just how much to shorten 'em. I received a set of matching garters with my new tank which were square-cut. After contemplating yours, I think I'll do the bevel cuts…

[Kiltman]

I also have big calves from Scottish Country Dancing and weight trainning. I believe in DIY projects. Congratulations on yours.

[bubba]

I just got some ribbon to make flashes. It isn't grosgrain but it is fabric ribbon just slightly lighter weight, hardly noticable. Using the fabric ribbon gives you a wider choice of colors and is more readily available. I've found that locally grosgrain ribbon is about as scarce as hens teeth.