My flashes--in yet another style.

**Erisianmonkey** · 25th February 07, 11:57 PM

I was quite taken with the traditional garter ties that Matt Newsome offers on the Museum website, but I also like tartan flashes. I had thought of doing ties with ends like regular tartan flashes, then I saw BEEDEE's post earlier. I combined ideas, and came up with this.

I'm quite happy with how they look with hose.

**Splash_4** · 26th February 07, 05:37 AM

OK, So how did you make those. Some of us with 'larger' calves like the look of Matt's garter ties, but his won't fit us. A little DIY help would be good!
Please?

**Kilted KT** · 26th February 07, 05:41 AM

having not seen these before, can you post a pic as to how they are worn? Are they simply tied about the calf?

**Erisianmonkey** · 26th February 07, 06:20 AM

Cut a strip of tartan that measures over twice your leg measurement where you will wear the tie. Remember to add enough material to the length of this strip to get the ends below the turn over of your hose. The strip should be wide enough to sew it into a "tube." Turn this "tube" inside out so that your seam is on the inside. At about 2-3" from the end, sew across the tube (i.e., perpendicular to the length) using a sewing machine zig-zag or double overcast stitch. Very carefully push this stitch up into the tube slightly, so that the tube wraps around it. flatten this out so that it does not bunch. Secure it with a machine straight stitch. Fringe the end as you would in making a kilt by pulling out threads.

Sorry these instructions aren't the best, I will be making a pair of these for my Black Watch kilt sometime tonight or tomorrow and I will take pictures and do a step-by-step.

As far as how they are tied, they are tied in the same way as the garter ties that Matt Newsome and the Tartan museum sell. Here is a link to their instruction page: http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/garter_howto.html

**Tattoo Bradley** · 26th February 07, 06:21 AM

Seeing as they're modeled after the Traditional Garter Ties offered by the Scottish Tartans Museum. I would say they're tied and worn like their instructions.

**Kilted KT** · 26th February 07, 06:26 AM

thanks...those look very interesing.

anyone have any MacTavish tartan remnants?

**cacunn** · 26th February 07, 09:11 AM

For those that do not like the elastic a round their legs you could do the same idea for a plain tartan garter. Make you tube and turn it inside out. I would sew a straight line about two inches up from the each end. Iron flat. Cut a "V" at the bottom and use a zig-zag stich to along side of the cut.

I like the tassel at the bottom but this would give a different look.