New Tank From Our Own Xman

**artificer** · 9th December 11, 10:54 AM

Last week I was thrilled to receive a package from across the Canadian border.

Inside was my long awaited tank, crafted by our own xman, in Marton Mills 16oz wool Holyrood tartan.

Events, along with the failure of both my camera and the sun to cooperate made getting pictures an impossibility until this morning. And since something hasn't happened unless we document it in snaps, I'd not posted my pix of my lovely new tank, as well as a description.

Today I was lucky that both the sun and my camera cooperated (to a degree).

Without further ado-

Oddly, my hose (bottle green) and sweater (mossy brown) appear to be the same colour in these pix, they definitely aren't. Also, please excuse the lumpy sweater on the backside. It must have been caught on the buckle. One of the perils of taking your own pix w/a timer, I suppose.

This is my first tank, and it's a splendid one. I'm not an easy chap to fit, as my weight and waist swing pretty widely thru the year. I lose weight in winter when I have time to exercise and ski, and tend to gain it in summer when I'm busy with outdoor projects (and exercise falls by the wayside). I might swing 4" in actual waist, but not very much in the hip. X took my measurements (after double checking them b/c my waist/hip ratio seemed small to him) and crafted a kilt that fits fantastically.

The kilt itself has two straps (no lower right side hip buckle) pleated to the white/brown stripe. The pleating was done extremely well, with crisp, sharp edges and very even alignment. I did want belt loops, as when I'm not working out I have less hip to hold the sporran strap.

The stitching in the fell is INVISIBLE

On the front, X put in a double fringe, and the waistband perfectly matches the apron (which was slighly bell-shaped, as is visible on the mid-right side of the pic below).

The many months of waiting for our schedules to align were well worth it, I'm completely thrilled with his work. Thanks again, X.

**Drac** · 9th December 11, 11:05 AM

Looks great Artificer. I have a Navy one he did and it is fantastic. I know you should be happy with it..

Jim

**Ryan Ross** · 9th December 11, 11:11 AM

My God, Scott... I didn't think you could have eyes and a face at the same time.

Excelent kilt, O, my brother. Wear that thing in good health... until you get eaten during the first wave, like the rest of us.

May Cthulhu be merciful and decide to chew.

**LitTrog** · 9th December 11, 11:27 AM

Yeah, that's adequate.

Glad you included pics of some of the finer details. Aspects like the waisband and fell stitching aren't immediately apparent to the casual observer, but they really push a build into the realm of art. Beautiful!