Call for suggestions on leftover tartan fabric

**Newfoundlander** · 11th December 11, 09:54 AM

Hello!

I'd like to ask the great rabble for suggestions on what to do with some leftover tartan fabric. This was left over from the making of my kilt, and has been in my closet for years. I've always said "I should do something with that" so I am, but what?

The fabric itself is a 16oz heavyweight weaved by Lochcarron (if memory serves) in the Newfoundland Tartan. I've posted a couple pictures of the fabric laid out, and also a sketch of the dimensions. I've also got about 14 little swatches (in pic) that I assume were cut when the flashes were made? They're all about 3x5" and not in the dimensions sketch.

So, does anyone have any neat project suggestions?

I've thought of taking the long skinny bit and having a tie made, but I don't know how the wool would serve being knotted, and it is a bit heavy for a tie...

Thanks in advance!!

Oops! I used the wrong conversion factor here! The correct metric dimensions are:
3' 3 1/2" = 1.3m
28 1/4" = 71.8cm
8' 11" - 2.7m
4 3/4" = 12cm

**gary meakin** · 11th December 11, 09:59 AM

I have about the same size piece of MacLachlan Weathered tartan.
I was thinking of having a vest (waistcoat) made from it.

**CDNSushi** · 11th December 11, 10:02 AM

Cut the narrow piece all the way to the end and use it as a decorative piece on your dinner table at special occasions.

**davidg** · 11th December 11, 10:29 AM

Your centimetres and inches do not match up. There are approx 39 inches in a metre (100 cm) so if the length of the large piece is 3 ft 3.5 inches it is 100 cm long, not 63 cm

The reason I point that out is that if there is around a metre there then you might be able to make a small fly plaid 28 inches square. a fly plaid only 45cm square simply would would not work

A tie would not work in 16oz and would, in any case, need to be cut on the bias so would need far more cloth than you have got although looking at the tartan on your floor my initial reaction is that you have far more than you have estimated. Width wise you appear to have the sett repeating five times which makes it a very small (5 inch or so) repeat and it does not look to be that small from the photograph

**Tobus** · 11th December 11, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by gpmeakin

I have about the same size piece of MacLachlan Weathered tartan.
I was thinking of having a vest (waistcoat) made from it.

Waistcoat, definitely. I don't know if there is enough material there for a waistcoat on the bias, but it's sure worth asking someone who makes them.

**madmacs** · 11th December 11, 10:52 AM

The royal regiment of scotland has a tartan stable belt... Might be able to do something along those lines...

Swatches would be good for badge backings... I have a friend who's a newfie and wears a balmoral... He's not brave enough to venture into kilts though...

**cck** · 11th December 11, 10:57 AM

I recently had a kilt made in Scotland and wanted matching flashes. Their charge seemed rather high, so I asked them to send me any unused fabric. There was not much, but I had enough (and the fun) to make a pair of flashes. There is still some material left over, so I am anxious to see what suggestions come up. I already had a tie, cumberbund, and bow tie in my clan tartan. Those were made of a light weight wool fabric and I have enjoyed wearing them when - but not with a kilt.

**vmac3205** · 11th December 11, 11:22 AM

A sew-on strip on your dog leash or collar.
Tartan bagpipe covers are hard to come by. You could make one of those.
Table linens
Pillow cover
The list is endless

**room2ndfloor** · 11th December 11, 12:49 PM

Do you have a little girl in your family? This would make a lovely "jumper" (which, this side of the Atlantic, is a sleeveless dress to be worn with a blouse under it) if the wool were lined with some anti-static Bemburg-type lining. The advantage of a jumper is that the piece could be cut so that just one seam, center back, would need to be matched. (I had just such a Scottish tartan garment as a child, which I wore with a soft wool pullover under it and tights. Very nice for winter in northern Europe.)

Otherwise, use the 28" lengthwise for a slim-cut skirt ("pencil" style or "A-line") for a slender woman (hips 40" or smaller) who is less than 5'7" tall. Again, you need anti-static lining.

It is also enough fabric to make a very nice lady's handbag (purse), for which you can get a pattern and hardware at most fabric shops.

I don't believe this piece is large enough for a man's waistcoat. Folded one way, it's only about 21" long, folded the other, it's only 14" long. If you have a pattern handy, though, there's no harm in laying out your pieces, it might work.