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**AckZel** · 12th November 05, 05:17 PM

So, it's no difference for a kiltmaker if there's bigger or smaller squares?

**Barb T** · 12th November 05, 05:25 PM

Yes, it does matter. See my post above about little squares and stripes. What I'm trying to say (and obviously not saying it very well!) is that you could specify 8 threads of red and get a square 1/8" across if the threads were heavy and 1/16" across if the threads were light. If you design the tartan by number of threads, you can't a priori know how big the squares and stripes will be unless you know how many threads per inch will be in the fabric, and that depends on the weight of the fabric and also how a mill sets up its looms.

Barb

**AckZel** · 12th November 05, 05:36 PM

ok, I'll just design the tartan and let the kiltmaker do the pleating

**Barb T** · 12th November 05, 05:39 PM

Just make sure that, when you have the tartan woven, that you specify to the mill the approximate sett size that you'd like to have. You won't have complete freedom, but, particularly if the tartan is relatively simple, you should be able to ask them to scale the tartan so that the sett size is reasonable for kilting. It's perfectly possible to design and weave a piece of tartan that's impossible to make a decent kilt out of, no matter how good your kiltmaker is! You don't want to wind up in that boat.
Barb