Hello from California!

[Cyd]

I have just one kilt that is now over 20 years old and no longer fits. It is also a MacDonald something because at the time I was in grad school in Scotland and my girlfriend got it for me. She was a MacDonald something and my only connection to clan MacDonald.

A few weeks ago I figured it was time to get a new kilt since my link to clan MacDonald is long severed and I doubt the old girl would ever fit again anyway. So I bought Barb Tewksbury's book and as soon as it arrives will start on a kilt from an originally designed tartan. Barb pointed me here, and I wish someone would please give that very busy and talented lady some help! Being a college professor and an in-demand seamstress is bad enough, but she is also the author AND distributor of her book!

I have built a loom from redwood and am weaving the tartan now. I would strongly recommend anyone doing this from cones of yarn! Watching a new tartan being born is really cool and I can only imagine the feeling as those same yards of cloth become a kilt. Word of caution though. Make a scarf or a shawl out of a cheaper material first, just to test the pattern and see what the tartan looks like in reality BEFORE investing in heavy wool yarn. Not only will any issues become immediately apparent, but getting the right beat and thread count for your cloth is something that requires experience. It is cheaper to get experience in cotton or bamboo than in wool.

Anyway, as it is a first attempt it may take quite awhile, I will keep records and post the entire experience when I am done.