Design your own tartan

**Mark Keeney** · 14th September 06, 07:24 AM

Has anyone personally done this? I would like to do my own because I don't really belong (except through my wife) to any tartan that I can find.

Questions-
How long does it take?
How hard is it to get it registered?
How much does it cost?

Anything I am not aware of?

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 14th September 06, 08:05 AM

Mark, do a search on tartan and design. A few of the folks here have done it, and Matt Newsome is an excellent resource. He can put together some designs based on your ideas, you determine any changes and what you like best, then he can help you get it registered, weaved, and make into a kilt if you like. One of the members is MacSimoin.

**davedove** · 14th September 06, 08:07 AM

Another member, Cyndi (unsername Thistle Stop), will also do this.

One word of warning, it is NOT cheap.

**McClef** · 14th September 06, 08:13 AM

There are online sites which allow you to design your own tartan which can be fun but expensive if you decide to go ahead.

http://www.house-of-tartan.scotland.net/

is one such site and it details the costs involved for setting the pattern, registration with the Tartans Authority and for producing a kilt in that tartan.

At least you can end up with a free custom made tartan wallpaper for your computer!

**MacWage** · 14th September 06, 06:19 PM

The best way to do it is by coordinating with extended family (kith and kin) to both spread out the cloth and increase the total purchased yardage, making it more affordable than a custom one 4 yard (box) or 6-8 yard knife kilt.

I am working with some cousins on a Wages family tartan (as far as I can tell there is no "head" of the family to approve such an endevor).

Word of warning-> more people involved, more people you have to please, more time and "negotiation" it will take to get the final product.

**Andrew Green** · 14th September 06, 06:31 PM

Custom woven anything = $$$

**I M Kilted!** · 14th September 06, 06:45 PM

Fraser and Kirkbright

They are located in Canada(BC I think)...They do custom weaving etc. They might be a good place to check out too...

**gilmore** · 15th September 06, 09:04 AM

In addition to those mentioned above, see:

http://www.westcoastkilts.com/ordering.php

http://www.21stcenturykilts.com/tartandesign.htm

http://www.kilts-n-stuff.com/Tartan/...e_tartans.html

Please let us know how it turns out.

**gilmore** · 15th September 06, 09:11 AM

There was a thread that contained links to software that can be used to design tartan. It was cited in the thread on gay tartans, but that thread was put in the penalty box and has now disappeared.