The Faded Tartan!

[Riverkilt]

Guessing fabric makes a difference. Dye in wool is all through the wool. I believe dye on man made threads is on the surface.

Red fades fast in inks on bumber stickers if its not covered with a protective coat to protect it from the sun.

No plans to bury my tanks in a bog or hang them in the sun. I like them the way they are.

Ron

[Andrew Breecher]

Andrew Breecher told me the Cladish poly/viscose kilt he wore on the appx 2000 mile Appalachian trail faded from all the sunlight.

It did, but it's only noticable when the apron flips up and you can compare the front of the apron with the fabric beneath. I'm sure it'll fade more when I spend a few months walking through the desert this spring.

Bear - I'm ending my hike in Manning Provincial Park. I'll have to pop over to Vancouver and show off the 4,500 mile kilt in person!

Andrew.

[Ranald]

Am I alone in thinking that modern dyes whilst producing superb colours, can give a new a kilt a rather too bright effect?

So whilst as delighted as anyone when I get a new kilt, I will also hang it in the sun on a regular basis, so as to slightly fade it.

This to my mind tones down the brighteness of the tartan, and gives a much better appearance. Possibly better described as a softer effect.

A classic example would be the kilt of Loch Lomond District Tartan I got about three years ago-on first getting it, I had several comments about it being nice-but a bit bright. Now that it is slightly faded, it attracts remarks about it being a beautiful tartan.

Possibly I'm replicating the tradition of burying a new kilt in a bog for year to weather it ready for wear!

James

Well, I never actually knew that, now that could be a usefull bit of info.
Many thanks James.

[Big Paul]

That would be laundry fade. Either the dye wasn't adequately fixed or you might have used a detergent with bleach in it.

Before warned... The ones that say "color safe bleach", aren't color safe... They with fade your clothing.. Same for the ones that have "brighteners"...

[arrogcow]

I never use bleach, it is just natural washing out of the dye. Still only washed about 4-5 times, as compared to the original that has been washed dozens.

Adam

[bubba]

Some laundry detergent contains bleach. Check the label.