Young's Modern Sett Size?

[orionpyoung]

I've tried 3 tiems to use scotweb's contact form, but I never seem to get the "auto response" so I'm not sure if my questin is going through. SO I thought perhaps one of the members here could answer this question. What is the sett repeat size of the lochcarron 16oz Young's modern tartan? I just want to start planning ahead for a box pleat kilt I'd like to make when my tax refund comes in.

[Stan]

Interesting question.... 4.5 inches

Just last week I received the tartan scarf, and tie in the Young modern that I ordered. They are gifts for my friend Scot Young, and his wife Linda.

So...I've just now measured the "set" of the Young modern tartan in the scarf, and it's 4.5 inches between repeats. I wouldn't think that the weight of the fabric wouldn't have any thing to do with the set, and this "Young Modern" tartan weaves is 4.5 inches, or maybe more accurately (it looks like) 11.5 CM.



There you go....

[Father Bill]

I'm absolutely no weaving expert, but wouldn't the weight of the fabric normally affect the sett size inasmuch as it would affect the size of individual threads?

Unless this were compensated by "fudging" the thread count, I would assume that the sett size would rise and fall along with the weight of the fabric.

[Stan]

Hummmmm...that could be... I guess I could measure a 16 oz fabric and compare it to a 13 oz. and see? Hang on just a minuet.....

You know it seems that your right! I've just now measured a 13 oz MacGregor modern tartan, and a 16 oz. MacGregor modern tartan. The 13 oz measured at 4.5 inches (just like the Young modern) and the 16 oz. measured at 7 inches.

I'm guessing that it might be the same for Young modern, and I'm suspect that the question of the set of a 16 oz. young modern tartan is still unanswered, but it's getting "closed in on".

Stan L.

[chasem]

There are so many variables that determine sett size. Weight of the fabric/thread is a big one, but I'd wager the biggest would be the weaver.

One weaver's sett size of a particular tartan in 16oz material may be 6" where another's may be 6.5", 8", 12", 16". There probably won't be that much variance, but there certainly could be.

The best way to determine the sett size of a given tartan is to order a swatch of the exact material one is considering. Short of that, what contacting the merchant then asking here with the specific weaver, tartan, and size is best, but only responses related to that particular weaver/tartan/size will be pertinent.

[Grizzled Ian]

There are so many variables that determine sett size. Weight of the fabric/thread is a big one, but I'd wager the biggest would be the weaver.

One weaver's sett size of a particular tartan in 16oz material may be 6" where another's may be 6.5", 8", 12", 16". There probably won't be that much variance, but there certainly could be.

I know nothing about weaving, but I suspect that weavers produce different sized setts by applying varying factors to the threadcount of a tartan. Suppose the MacCentaur tartan has a thread count of Black 2, Pink 6, Black 4, Green 10, Red 2, Green 10, Black 4, Pink 6, Black 2. To my mind, a piece woven to Bk 5, P 15, Bk 10, G 25, R 5, G 25, Bk 10, P 15, Bk 5, in the same weight fabric is the same tartan, just the sett size is 2 1/2 times bigger.

The best way to determine the sett size of a given tartan is to order a swatch of the exact material one is considering.

Sound, sound advice. I bought a piece of tartan directly from a mill, and they bothered not to answer my question on the sett size. I went ahead anyway, and it exercised my imagination about how to turn a sett repeat of 14" into a kilt.

I'm satisfied my solution will be fine, once it's made. It may even be heroically adventurous enough to warrant posting a snapshot. But if you don't like surprises, always get a swatch.