garter ties vs. flash

**Spartan Tartan** · 11th June 11, 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by Pyper

OK -- I'm sold on garter ties.

Where do I get some and how do you tie them?

I don't know how to tie them yet...I just ordered them from the STM website last night. I bet you can find them elsewhere too. I did notice tying instructions on the STM site when placing the order. I have seen a thread in the "how to" section about tying them as well. I will be checking that next week

**CMcG** · 11th June 11, 06:48 AM

Originally Posted by Pyper

OK -- I'm sold on garter ties.

Where do I get some and how do you tie them?

Instructional video courtesy of the Scottish Tartans Museum Gift Shop, who also sells garter ties:

http://giftshop.scottishtartans.org/garters.html

**cruiser348** · 11th June 11, 07:23 AM

I have recently gotten a pair of garter flashes and must say that I have to agree with the rabble on the comfort factor. I intend to take the plunge and start making my own here soon and we'll see how that goes but until then I will continue to use the flashes I have until I have replaced them with ties in the colors I normally wear. The only exception to this is I do have a pair of Susan Komen pink ribbon flashes I purchased in honor of my mother who is a breast cancer victim and both my grandmothers whom are breast cancer survivors. Those needless to say I have no intention of getting rid of.

**Lyle1** · 11th June 11, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by Spartan Tartan

AZWildcat96, they are not too expensive. That is precisely why I got a few pair (ftom the STM, incidentally) without really loosing any sleep over the cost of purchase. I got some complimentary and contrasting colours for some of the versatility you mention...

2nd to One, here's a thought ... would it be possible to make the spare tartan into ties? I suspect not, but has anyone ever tried or thought of that before?

My wife made a pair of garter ties for me out of woven fabric, so it could certainly be done with tartan fabric. Cut the cloth on the bias for the garters. You can't fringe cloth when it is cut on the bias, so you would need to cut a separate piece of cloth, fringe it, and then attach it to the garter.

**Guinness>water** · 11th June 11, 07:58 AM

I have had both and as soon as I got my traditional ties I threw the flashes out. Ties are sooo much better in every way! They're more comfortable, look better and to me even easier to put on. Your gonna love them.
Several sites sell them, I have bought both of my pair from the Scottish Tartans Museum(www.scottishtartans.org). Keltoi (above) also sells them.
If you look on Youtube, Arlen has a video or two on how to tie them.

**longhuntr74** · 11th June 11, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by Guinness>water

If you look on Youtube, Arlen has a video or two on how to tie them.

This: How To Tie Garter Ties, Part Deux

(I don't know how to embed video, I guess...but there's the link.)

**CMcG** · 11th June 11, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by longhuntr74

This: How To Tie Garter Ties, Part Deux

(I don't know how to embed video, I guess...but there's the link.)

Voila!

**azwildcat96** · 11th June 11, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by cruiser348

I have recently gotten a pair of garter flashes and must say that I have to agree with the rabble on the comfort factor. I intend to take the plunge and start making my own here soon and we'll see how that goes but until then I will continue to use the flashes I have until I have replaced them with ties in the colors I normally wear. The only exception to this is I do have a pair of Susan Komen pink ribbon flashes I purchased in honor of my mother who is a breast cancer victim and both my grandmothers whom are breast cancer survivors. Those needless to say I have no intention of getting rid of.

Yep, I've got a pair of those as well.

**Michael Flemming** · 11th June 11, 12:48 PM

Worsted wool twill tape:

http://www.woodedhamlet.com/tapes_br...ted_twill.html

The 7/8 inch size makes a great garter. Just cut the ends in a swallowtail and you're good to go.

**seanachie** · 11th June 11, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by Michael Flemming

Worsted wool twill tape:

http://www.woodedhamlet.com/tapes_br...ted_twill.html

The 7/8 inch size makes a great garter. Just cut the ends in a swallowtail and you're good to go.

Excuse my ignorance but can you explain your method for "cut the ends in a swallowtail" Thanks. This sounds like a viable idea. Perhaps there is something in weaving ala the style from House of Cheviot that I do not understand, and I will be the first to admit it, but they seem expensive.