Tartan Fabric-> ALL MAKERS!

[RockyR]

Clearly not Steve's fault. He has very kindly handled all the administration of getting this put together.

But has anyone alerted Steve directly before he places a new order? Wasn't he getting close to placing one?

KP

We all know it's not Steve's Fault. He's just the guy ordering the material and taking money. He has nothing to do with the weaving process.

Steve's aware of the situation.

[beerbecue]

This is why I wanted the semi-trad made from F&K material from that Rocky/Kelly just made for me...

The selvedge is a little 'off' as others have said.... and to me not what I would want to use for a hand-sewn.....

Great price for the remnants, and it makes a very, very, very decent kilt...

Would I buy the fabric again - you betcha! Would I make a hem - most probably......

[Kilted Taper]

Possibly would have liked to have had this info before putting up the extra cash for a premium by USA, but I have confidence it will be a thing of beauty when it arrives!

[RockyR]

You won't REALLY notice the difference in the finished product except for the selvedge. The problem is for the kilt MAKERS to grapple with. If we do our job right the horizontal lines will be seamless (no "step effect" across the back) and the join will be hidden deep in a pleat.

[Barb T]

The problem is for the kilt MAKERS to grapple with.

True. And since I'm making two XMarks kilts, I solved the problem by taking one 4-yard piece from one of the chunks that Steve sent and the matching 4-yard piece from the other chunk for the first kilt and the remaining matching pieces for the second kilt. And I simply asked the guys I'm making the kilts for if they wanted hems. One did and one didn't.

The only reason that I brought the whole thing up to begin with is that someone asked where to get tartan from if you're a budding kiltmaker. I was just offering my opinion that, based on both past and very recent experience, I wouldn't choose F&K tartan. I hadn't meant to worry anyone who is getting an XMarks kilt (if anyone is still worried, just have a look at Hamish's gallery of photos - his XMarks kilt looks great!), and I sure didn't mean to dump on Steve! He simply made the arrangements based on balancing everyone's wishes for economy.

Barb

[Alan H]

As to the comminication issues... I've not had a problem. I email them and receive answers immediately (especially about bills I owe them ).

Yeah, I remember you said that you had no communications issues with them. I sure did, though. It's probably becuase you're a "Trade" customer, and a regular, known entity and I was a "prospective" customer that they didn't know from Adam.

At the time those swatches came through, I knew literally nothing about material. I wish I could see them, now. I DO remember falling in love with the Holyrood tartan because of that swatch, now I wish I'd kept it! I'd make a bow tie out of it!

[way2fractious]

the XMarks tartan is woven in double width and the two halves _do not match_ in the size of the sett. In fact, from the selvedge to the center, one half is almost 3/8" bigger than the other, so you have to fudge the join.

I'm happy to have this pointed out before I begin making up my XMarks kilt in August. It will provide a practical learning experience under Elsie's tutelage.

I recall examining the fabric before packaging it up, and I did notice the uneven selvedge coloration. My decision at that time was to leave the white line on the hem because it truly would not be noticeable at any distance.

The world of fabrics is a wonderfully uneven place, where no two of anything is ever identical. Every endeavor produces a unique creation.