Anyone interested in 'Australia' Tartan?

**Antipodean Celt** · 18th July 13, 05:20 PM

Greetings all, I am interested in having a kilt made in the ‘Australia’ tartan – STA611. My avatar is a sample. It is not a readily available tartan, and I am talking with Doug Manger at ‘All Things Tartan’ about getting a bolt of cloth woven. http://www.allthingstartan.com.au/
Doug’s mother in law made the first kilts for the Australian Army’s use in 1972 and he still has some of the original offcuts left over in his shop. He is also talking to the Australian Army (Enoggera Barracks) to get some samples to check on the current fabric being used by the Army.
Doug is talking to Strathmore Mills about weaving it in their W60 weight (13.5/14oz per yard according to their website).
My notes on the Australia tartan are as follows: Melbourne architect John Reid won the tartan design competition mounted by The Scottish Australian Heritage Council (SAHC). The warm earth colours are said to be reminiscent of the 'great outback'. Design based on MacQuarrie for Lachlan MacQuarrie, first Scots Governor of New South Wales (Australia).
Colours based on the five most used by Aborigines - ochre, red/brown, black, white and cobalt blue. The tartan has yet to be officially accepted as Australia's national tartan but the SAHC is working (July 2008) to have it designated as such. The tartan is recognised and worn by the Australian Army, in particular 5/7 RAR pipes and drums.
If any Aussies are interested, or anybody else for that matter, now would be a great time to let Doug know because I don’t expect he will be ordering another bolt for some time.
And just for the record, I have no affiliation with Doug or any personal interest. I am just a potential customer of Doug’s keen to get a kilt in the Australia tartan.
All the best,
John

**Stilletto_Rebel** · 18th July 13, 06:50 PM

Hi Antipodean Celt! I'm very interested. Has Doug given an indicative price per metre?

**Antipodean Celt** · 18th July 13, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Stilletto_Rebel

Hi Antipodean Celt! I'm very interested. Has Doug given an indicative price per metre?

Hi Stiletto Rebel. Not yet, I think Doug is still in the negotiation/research phase. But as I understand these things, the bigger the order, the cheaper the price is per metre. I can only suggest dropping Doug a line and let him know of your interest direct. His email is on the website. All the best, John.

**Manxstralian** · 18th July 13, 07:40 PM

Likewise, but price is a significant factor for me.
If it was 'doable' a five yarder could be on the cards. How much fabric is on a bolt, and how many kilts would that equate to?

**Downunder Kilt** · 18th July 13, 08:04 PM

Hi, I am currently having a six yard weave done in the tartan by D C Dalgieish and a 6 yard knife pleat made by Matt Newsome. It will be pleated to the alternating blue/white stripe as per the Australian Army Band. Prior to me dealing with Matt, I contacted Doug and he advised that he did have scrap material and the army did not get the correct weave done in the first place. I have also been in contact with John Reid, as I met him and a former government minister dressed in the tartan at a highland games. He had sourced his kilt in NSW. I contacted his source and was quoted A$890.00 for a 13oz 8 yard kilt that could not be pleated to the stripe as the sett was too big.

John Reid has been in contact with the Scottish Register of Tartan and the Scottish Tartan Authorty in recent months to clear up some incorrect information in the notes regarding this tartan. John and I have also been dismantling the claim that the Australian National Tartan by Betty Johnston had been recognized by the Australian Govenment. I now have a letter from the Prime Ministers Office refuting the claim.

**Antipodean Celt** · 18th July 13, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Stilletto_Rebel

Hi Antipodean Celt! I'm very interested. Has Doug given an indicative price per metre?

Hi Stiletto Rebel, no price indication yet. Doug is still in the negotiation and research phase I think. But from my beginner's understanding, the more that gets woven, the cheaper it is. Best to ask Doug direct. All the best, John.

**Antipodean Celt** · 18th July 13, 08:18 PM

Originally Posted by Manxstralian

Likewise, but price is a significant factor for me.
If it was 'doable' a five yarder could be on the cards. How much fabric is on a bolt, and how many kilts would that equate to?

Hi Manxstralian. Price is a significant factor for me too!! What I could do with more money!!! I know very little about the Weaving trade, and what little I know comes from a brief conversation with Doug. What I remember him saying is that he gets bolts in 60 yard lengths; enough for about 7 eight yard kilts. But Doug is the right man to ask. All the best, John.

**Antipodean Celt** · 18th July 13, 08:24 PM

Thanks for letting me know about all that Downunder. I was vaguely aware of the controversy from my reading, but was not up to date on it all. Sounds like there is some way to go yet on the political side. Not that I mind, the tartan is 'authentic' enough for me. The detail on the alternate stripe pleating by the Army band is very helpful too. I would love to see your Newsome creation when it is done. Where is it in Mr Newsome's to do list?

**Downunder Kilt** · 18th July 13, 09:23 PM

I made the order mid April, so I would not expect anything for at least another 3 months. Below are some photos of one of the kilts from the Australian Army. The kilt is in possession of one of the members of this forum, English Bloke, who very kindly sent me the photos.

**Antipodean Celt** · 18th July 13, 09:30 PM

Thanks for those pictures Downunder. Brilliant. It really helps to see the kilt, and I like how the pleating to both the white and the blue stripes works out. The result is very pleasing I think. As a newbie, I still struggle to translate the 'sample' to the life-sized product. Thanks again.