Adding kilt bows/rosettes?

**OC Richard** · 26th March 10, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by longhuntr74

Gordon Walker (who I've never heard of until just recently by reading these threads on XMTS...I've never been exposed to the world of piping) is my new role model for what "right" looks like when it comes to kilt wearing! He really does have class.

For those who don't know Gordon Walker, he's one of the world's best pipers.

Here he is!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmJUBiTk6bw

He's ex-military and evidently quite proud of it, and often wears bits of his military kit, such as his regimental kilt pin, cap badge, etc.

Now about him wearing his Pipe Major's stripes on a civilian jacket there, I need to point out to US military people that the office of Pipe Major is an office, not a rank. (Army Pipe Majors can be just about any rank. Some Pipe Majors are captains and majors, others are noncommisioned officers. Whatever the man's rank, every pipe major wears the same four chevrons which denote the office.) Therefore, Pipe Major's stripes can quite properly be worn both by ex-military men and by civilians who hold the office of Pipe Major in a civilian pipe band.

**longhuntr74** · 26th March 10, 05:30 AM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

I suppose the trick for these bows or rosettes would be finding tartan ribbon that matches the kilt well, like our Gordon Walker has done.

Richard, I would venture to say that those rosettes aren't made out of ribbon, but of the exact same material that the kilt is made of. That's what I intend to do when I make mine...perhaps stiffen it a bit with some iron-on interfacing...I'll have to experiment...it may be a bit difficult with 18oz fabric...but I think 13oz would be superb for the purpose.

I just watched that youtube video...and a bunch of others of Gordon...HOLY COW!!!

**Brian K** · 26th March 10, 06:02 AM

Originally Posted by longhuntr74

Richard, I would venture to say that those rosettes aren't made out of ribbon, but of the exact same material that the kilt is made of. That's what I intend to do when I make mine...perhaps stiffen it a bit with some iron-on interfacing...I'll have to experiment...it may be a bit difficult with 18oz fabric...but I think 13oz would be superb for the purpose.

I just watched that youtube video...and a bunch of others of Gordon...HOLY COW!!!

I thought the same thing about Mr. Walker's rosettes.

I also think the idea of using 13 oz. material is good due to the fact that the sett will be smaller than in the 18 oz. and it will help the visibility of the kilt panel and rosette in such a dark sett. It might also help if you bind the "ribbon" you fashion to make them in a satin or grosgrain the same shade as one of the darker colors.

**BoldHighlander** · 26th March 10, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by OC Richard

For those who don't know Gordon Walker, he's one of the world's best pipers.

Here he is!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmJUBiTk6bw

INCREDIBLE!!

Thanks Richard for posting that link.
Now I'll have to go thru & hunt up other vid's of Gordon Walker

**longhuntr74** · 26th March 10, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by BoldHighlander

INCREDIBLE!!

Thanks Richard for posting that link.
Now I'll have to go thru & hunt up other vid's of Gordon Walker

I should know...I spent my whole morning watching them!!!

**NorCalPiper** · 26th March 10, 03:45 PM

I'm probably jumping the gun (I've submitted to be an advertiser and will be up on the board shortly), but we're making rosettes (silk, tartan-whatever). At this point I shouldn't go further, but this will be one of the first things that I'm going to talk about when my sponsorship is official. If I've briken the rules mentioning this, sorry Steve and BEEDEE-Go ahead and pull.-Josh

**Gary Krueger** · 26th March 10, 05:07 PM

Do what I do...I was Artillery. I wear Red Flashes.

**Riverkilt** · 26th March 10, 09:29 PM

I've always liked the look of rosettes, particularly on the solid color military kilts. Have even surfed the Internet for sources, but when it came right down to buying some I've decided against it.

While I like the look, it doesn't seem to be a look I'd wish to adopt.

Other fear was having the rosettes made from shinny gift wrap type ribbon...

**OC Richard** · 27th March 10, 05:41 AM

Originally Posted by longhuntr74

Richard, I would venture to say that those rosettes aren't made out of ribbon, but of the exact same material that the kilt is made of.

Yes perhaps as people are saying Gordon Walker's rosettes are made of a lighter weight tartan, as you can see that the sett size is smaller.

I myself prefer the military way, which is to use actual ribbon.

The Black Watch and the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders use grass-green ribbon on their Black Watch/Sutherland kilts, while the Black Watch Pipe Major uses Royal Stuart ribbon on his Royal Stuart kilt.

It's actually a bit of a pet peeve of mine when things which were traditionally made of ribbon of the necessary width (silk or worsted wool) are nowadays instead made of tartan yardage cut to shape and sewn.

These things include kilt bow/rosettes, bagpipe drone ribbons, and garter flashes.

The ones made out of cut cloth never look as traditional, as nice, as the old style made of ribbon woven to the correct width.

Note that the Black Watch Pipe Major's drone ribbons and kilt bows are made of actual ribbon:

**longhuntr74** · 27th March 10, 06:13 AM

Richard...good input and I understand your viewpoint. I think you're right about the tartan ribbon...and I am looking to purchase some BW to make some rosettes.

For the masses, I would also note that, in doing a search for suppliers, it only appears to be commercially available in about 12 common tartans...so for the BW, Royal Stewart, Gordon, etc...you're good to go. If you have a kilt made of something else and wish to copy the look, you can choose a complementary solid color grosgrain ribbon or use a lightweight tartan.