Designing a Tartan

**Pikeman** · 17th August 07, 06:40 PM

I see some beautiful tartans being designed, including the recent Sonoran Scot tartan. Is there some website where a person can design their own tartan?

**ardchoille** · 17th August 07, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by Pikeman

I see some beautiful tartans being designed, including the recent Sonoran Scot tartan. Is there some website where a person can design their own tartan?

Indeed there is:

Interactive Tartan Weaver. It's quite nice.

**MacWage** · 17th August 07, 08:06 PM

There are SEVERAL. I've used these 2 in designing tartans for several purposes, inc. a kilt organization.
One popular one:
http://www.weddslist.com/cgi-bin/tar...urce=rb#result

My favorite (though the WHITE looks GRAY):
http://www.houseoftartan.co.uk/inter...gner/index.htm
This one is VERY easy to use and adapt/modify it.

On BOTH of these, you are best screen capturing the image/design or printing it, as neither really lets you SAVE them.

**Mr. MacDougall** · 17th August 07, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by MacWage

On BOTH of these, you are best screen capturing the image/design or printing it, as neither really lets you SAVE them.

Actually, when House of Tartan gives you the full-page preview of the tartan, you can right-click on it, and save the image file.

**MacWage** · 17th August 07, 09:44 PM

OK, that BIG "Continue" button . . .

I THINK that is a change from an older version, but I MIGHT be wrong.

**davedove** · 18th August 07, 06:29 AM

If you're interested in getting a tartan designed and registered, our own Matt Newsome provides this service. He designed the XMarks tartan that you see on the background of the site. I am also in the process of getting a Dove tartan designed through him.

http://albanach.org/

**Pikeman** · 19th August 07, 03:12 PM

Guys,

Thanks for the suggestions.

**Mr. MacDougall** · 19th August 07, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by Pikeman

Thanks for the suggestions.

You're welcome. Have fun with it... one place to start would be to look at other tartans, and see what you like. Try incorporating some of those design ideas in what you're doing.

My friends and I have a living history project we're trying to get off the ground, and one of the things we've done so far is design a tartan. Eventually, when we have a little money, we'll register it. I find it amusing to think of getting one of the big mills to weave some in 16 oz strome....

**MacWage** · 19th August 07, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. MacDougall

You're welcome. Have fun with it... one place to start would be to look at other tartans, and see what you like. Try incorporating some of those design ideas in what you're doing.

My friends and I have a living history project we're trying to get off the ground, and one of the things we've done so far is design a tartan. Eventually, when we have a little money, we'll register it. I find it amusing to think of getting one of the big mills to weave some in 16 oz strome....

For the STA, it HAS to be woven AND a sample sent TO THEM.
Matt could help arrange it fairly easily (not sure of his charges, if any).

**Mr. MacDougall** · 20th August 07, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by MacWage

For the STA, it HAS to be woven AND a sample sent TO THEM.

I'm aware of the requirements. Unfortunately, though we have the knowledge and skills for doing living history, we're all in a point in our lives right now where we can't afford to do the things we'd have to do to get a tartan registered. In the mean time, we're keeping the design close to our collective chest, and not even mentioning where our inspirations came from, lest someone else register something too close to it, before we're ready to proceed.

And I'm sure it's worth every penny for his help, but Matt charges about a grand for tartan design and registration.