Stupid Question for the day...

**UmAnOnion** · 28th February 06, 01:17 PM

Okay,
I have been on the board for a while now & know which end of a sewing needle is which but one question has been bugging me for ages & I have finally worked up the nerve to ask:

What defines a tartan as a tartan???

I thought it was the squared-off, matching pattern running horizontally and vertically (i cant remember which is the warp & which the weft so if you are feeling benevolent & want to answer that question as well it would be appreciated) BUT having looked at some of the kilts out there (in part those in this thread ) that do not follow such a pattern...

If you coudl please take pity on me and put my simple mind to rest it would be greatly appreciated

**Rigged** · 28th February 06, 01:21 PM

My understaning is that a tartan pattern has to be the same when rotated 90 degrees.

::waiting to be soundly spanked::

**davedove** · 28th February 06, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by Rigged

My understaning is that a tartan pattern has to be the same when rotated 90 degrees.

::waiting to be soundly spanked::

That would be true of the symetrical tartans, but what about the asymetric ones?:confused:

**Southern Breeze** · 28th February 06, 01:45 PM

The only dumb questions are the ones that are'nt asked.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartan

**UmAnOnion** · 28th February 06, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Southern Breeze

The only dumb questions are the ones that are'nt asked.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartan

so, using the description given in the wikipedia link

A tartan is a specific woven pattern that often signifies a particular Scottish clan in the modern era. The pattern is made with alternating bands of coloured (pre-dyed) threads woven as both warp and weft at right angles to each other. The resulting blocks of colour repeat vertically and horizontally in a distinctive pattern of squares and lines known as a sett.

the fabric in the beautiful kilt shown in this thread does NOT qualify as a tartan.... (Which does is not meant in any way shape or form meant to denigrate the kilt or the wearer or the kiltmakar or the fabric weaver or the sheep who gave the wool to make said kilt or the parents of any of the above mentioned individuals, or their parents ad infinitum)

hence my confusion...

**Southern Breeze** · 28th February 06, 04:50 PM

If it's not a tartan then it's a plaid and therefore a skirt instead of a kilt.

JUST KIDDING!!! I'm still learning about this myself.

**Barb T** · 28th February 06, 06:04 PM

True - the plaid fabric you show is not tartan. In tartan, the same stripes appear in the same order in both warp and weft. In a true tartan, you shouldn't be able to distinguish the warp direction from the weft direction in a small piece, regardless of whether the tartan is symmetric or asymmetric (if that's confusing, please holler, and I'll explain further - but basically, if it's ABCDABCD in the warp, it needs to be ABCDABCD in the weft or ABCBA in both for a symmetric tartan). If different colors or orders of stripes are used in the warp and the weft, it's just plaid fabric, not tartan. So something that's not tartan could have ABCBA in the warp and ABDBA in the weft. The deep teal stripe in the tartan pictured appears only in one direction.

Barb

**Nick** · 28th February 06, 06:37 PM

As I understand it, a tartan is a plaid that has a specific meaning attached to it.

**UmAnOnion** · 28th February 06, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by Barb T.

True - the plaid fabric you show is not tartan. In tartan, the same stripes appear in the same order in both warp and weft. In a true tartan, you shouldn't be able to distinguish the warp direction from the weft direction in a small piece. Could be either symmetric or asymmetric (if that's confusing, please holler, and I'll explain further - but basically, if it's ABCDABCD in the warp, it needs to be ABCDABCD in the weft or ABCBA in both for a symmetric tartan). If different colors or orders of stripes are used in the warp and the weft, it's just plaid fabric, not tartan. So something that's not tartan could have ABCBA in the warp and ABDBA in the weft. The deep teal stripe in the tartan pictured appears only in one direction.

Barb

GOTCHA!!! Thanks Barb!!!

now you wanna run the 'weft to right' thing by me again please - its cold here in NYC & I think i froze my brain....