X Marks the Scot redux

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 2nd July 08, 04:04 PM

So, a client from this forum wanted an X Marks the Scot tartan kilt, but didn't want to wait for another large group order. Who can blame him?

So he commissioned me to do a custom run of the tartan for his kilt in 16 oz wool. When I did so, I decided (with his approval) to have it woven according to the original specs of the tartan as I designed it. See, when Gordon Kirkbright had it woven at F&K, he changed a few things (with my permission), making the tartan darker, and changing the proportions somewhat.

This is the first time, to my knowledge, that the X Marks tartan has been woven according to the original design specs. I quite like the results! It does look much more like the tartan in the background of this page than what's been woven in the past, I think.

The kilt hasn't been made it -- it's still a good ways down my queue. But the cloth did just recently come in, and I thought I'd give a sneak preview. Here it is:

And here is a side-by-side comparison with the Fraser & Kirkbright cloth:

**McMurdo** · 2nd July 08, 04:07 PM

Very nice Matt, I'm sure your customer will love it.

**Panache** · 2nd July 08, 04:07 PM

Taht's really interesting Matt. It makes the original runs of the XMTS tartan look like a "weathered" tartan and the one you just recieved a "modern". Or perhaps with the lighter colors it is more like an "ancient".

Cheers

Jamie

**DTrain** · 2nd July 08, 04:08 PM

A nice looking tartan, to be sure. I am jealous. So, was this custom run just enough for one kilt? Are there plans to issue another run of XMarks tartan? I believe there are a number of clansmen (and clans-women) who would be interested. Or just a hopeless teaser?

**Panache** · 2nd July 08, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by DTrain

A nice looking tartan, to be sure. I am jealous. So, was this custom run just enough for one kilt? Are there plans to issue another run of XMarks tartan? I believe there are a number of clansmen (and clans-women) who would be interested. Or just a hopeless teaser?

Rest assured another run of XMTS tartan is in the works. Steve just put a lot of energy into designing and getting a cap badge produced. If we give him a bit of a breather we might see XMTS shirts and another run of XMTS tartan in the near furure.

Cheers

Jamie

**Splash_4** · 2nd July 08, 04:29 PM

I like the original that Steve had run at F&K, but I also like this new run. There is enough difference between them to make them enough different that one could have both in the closet!

**sirdaniel1975** · 2nd July 08, 04:47 PM

Wow, I like them both.

**SteveB** · 2nd July 08, 04:51 PM

There are many of us newbies jonesing for another run of X-Marks tartan. I too have thought of commissioning a run, but felt it better to wait and add my name to a list to see if the price would be better for many more of us.

jones,......jones,.....jones.

**jmercier** · 2nd July 08, 05:35 PM

I'm jonsing for my xmarks box pleat from Mr Newsome as we speak. I like both of them, it really is like a weathered / muted and a modern.

**M. A. C. Newsome** · 2nd July 08, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by DTrain

A nice looking tartan, to be sure. I am jealous. So, was this custom run just enough for one kilt? Are there plans to issue another run of XMarks tartan? I believe there are a number of clansmen (and clans-women) who would be interested. Or just a hopeless teaser?

Yes, this was just a single kilt-length I had woven, which is always an option for anyone who wants a kilt but doesn't want to wait for another large group order to be put together.