Fraser & Kirkbright (custom tartan weavers)

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Another consideration -- I noticed from the URL of the image you just posted that you are using Scotweb's tartan designer. If you pay attention to their "terms and conditions" you will note the following statement. "By saving and/or publishing a new tartan design using this system, you are granting Scotweb Marketing Ltd an exclusive right to weave, license, or otherwise use your design commercially."

I think the key word here is "exclusive." Which means that the decision whether or not to use F&K to weave your tartan may be a moot point. By using the Scotweb designer, you may have given them the exclusive rights to weave your design, unless you can make some other arrangement/agreement with them.

Always read the fine print....

[Fit2BKilted]

Another consideration -- I noticed from the URL of the image you just posted that you are using Scotweb's tartan designer. If you pay attention to their "terms and conditions" you will note the following statement. "By saving and/or publishing a new tartan design using this system, you are granting Scotweb Marketing Ltd an exclusive right to weave, license, or otherwise use your design commercially."

I think the key word here is "exclusive." Which means that the decision whether or not to use F&K to weave your tartan may be a moot point. By using the Scotweb designer, you may have given them the exclusive rights to weave your design, unless you can make some other arrangement/agreement with them.

Always read the fine print....

Actually... I did read the fine print, and the image was only an approximation of my design [that I composed independently in advance of inputting an approximation of the thread-count into their system] because I actually want a few odd-numbered thread counts; so, if I have it woven the way I want it, it won't be the same design ;-) so, fine print or not, I'm in the clear that way AFAIK.

Besides, I'm not too concerned about whether or not they choose to weave the approximated design I had input onto their site commercially---the fine print also says that they must pay me royalties if they do... And, on top of that, I never publicized the approximate design I had input in their Gallery. If you have any additional insight into the nuances of ScotWeb's legal claim to my work, I am all ears...

I have since updated my earlier posting with an image produced entirely on my own computer, and stored on my own server, and deleted the approximation thereof from ScotWeb's server.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Actually... I did read the fine print, and the image was only an approximation of my design [that I composed independently in advance of inputting an approximation of the thread-count into their system] because I actually want a few odd-numbered thread counts; so, if I have it woven the way I want it, it won't be the same design ;-) so, fine print or not, I'm in the clear that way AFAIK.

Besides, I'm not too concerned about whether or not they choose to weave the approximated design I had input onto their site commercially---the fine print also says that they must pay me royalties if they do... And, on top of that, I never publicized the approximate design I had input in their Gallery. If you have any additional insight into the nuances of ScotWeb's legal claim to my work, I am all ears...

I have since updated my earlier posting with an image produced entirely on my own computer, and stored on my own server, and deleted the approximation thereof from ScotWeb's server.

Ok, just so long as you are aware. I've had a few people recently talking with me about tartans they designed on Scotweb only later to find out that Scotweb had the exclusive weaving rights. They hadn't noticed that in the "terms and conditions" and were taken by surprise, so I just wanted to make sure you were aware of that concern.

[Dixiecat]

And then, my daughters will doubtless want kilted skirts made from it as well (my eldest is becoming extremely involved in Irish and Highland dancing

A highland dancer does not wear a kilted skirt. The dress code that guides the dancers of the SOBHD (which is all of North America) specifically states kilts. There is some leeway granted of course for pre-premiers and the young and tiny. But, Barb is quite correct, a kilt made from tartan over 13oz can be very heavy to dance in.

Btw, your design is quite eyecatching and could prove to be quite attractive to dancers.

[slohairt]

I'll second Barb and Matt's observations concerning selvedge and hand. F&K fabric does feel lighter than it's listed weight and the selvedges are sometimes very noticeable. Another point concerning their selvedge, I have also noticed that it has a tendency to go 'wavy' after awhile.

Still, Gordon is great to work with and his customer service is excellent. Also, Fraser and Kirkbright is a Canadian source, so there is something to be said about that as well.

[Fit2BKilted]

I'll second Barb and Matt's observations concerning selvedge and hand. F&K fabric does feel lighter than it's listed weight and the selvedges are sometimes very noticeable. Another point concerning their selvedge, I have also noticed that it has a tendency to go 'wavy' after awhile.

Still, Gordon is great to work with and his customer service is excellent. Also, Fraser and Kirkbright is a Canadian source, so there is something to be said about that as well.

I presume that the difference is principally in their choice to use only Merino wool (and perhaps an idiosyncracy of their loom(s?))... It would still have to be just as heavy (massive) though, since fabric, like paper, is categorized by it's weight for area, no?

BTW, I'm happy to see the Canadians coming out of the woodwork! Are there any other Canadian mills currently producing kilting woolens?

[slohairt]

I presume that the difference is principally in their choice to use only Merino wool (and perhaps an idiosyncracy of their loom(s?))... It would still have to be just as heavy (massive) though, since fabric, like paper, is categorized by it's weight for area, no?

BTW, I'm happy to see the Canadians coming out of the woodwork! Are there any other Canadian mills currently producing kilting woolens?

Yes, the hand would be because of the soft merino wool and the occasionally wavy selvedge from possible wonky looms?

What do you mean coming out the woodwork? I've been here forever! Unless you mean as an advertiser, then, well, yeah...

[Fit2BKilted]

A highland dancer does not wear a kilted skirt. The dress code that guides the dancers of the SOBHD (which is all of North America) specifically states kilts. There is some leeway granted of course for pre-premiers and the young and tiny. But, Barb is quite correct, a kilt made from tartan over 13oz can be very heavy to dance in.

Btw, your design is quite eyecatching and could prove to be quite attractive to dancers.

Thanks for the info about Highland Dancing... I would be grateful for links to relevant sites. I'm rather ignorant in regard to Highland & Irish Dancing: my eldest daughter is 6yo and has tired of the ballet she started at 3, but was taken with the few tap-classes she got alongside, and has since become Irish Dance crazy (it's even overtaken horses!). We have her signed up for Irish classes in the Fall. My youngest is quite taken with violin and fiddle; so, they may end up becoming quite a duo! :-)

Also, If you know any dancers that may be interested in pre-ordering yardage of my new tartan, I would be happy for the funding to offset the cost of F&K's minimum yardage purchase... :-D

[Dixiecat]

Thanks for the info about Highland Dancing... I would be grateful for links to relevant sites. I'm rather ignorant in regard to Highland & Irish Dancing: my eldest daughter is 6yo and has tired of the ballet she started at 3, but was taken with the few tap-classes she got alongside, and has since become Irish Dance crazy (it's even overtaken horses!). We have her signed up for Irish classes in the Fall. My youngest is quite taken with violin and fiddle; so, they may end up becoming quite a duo! :-)

Also, If you know any dancers that may be interested in pre-ordering yardage of my new tartan, I would be happy for the funding to offset the cost of F&K's minimum yardage purchase... :-D

You could try www.dance.net. They have an Irish Dance board and a Highland Dance board. You could even post a few pictures of your tartan to see if you have any interest. Most dancers like to wear dress tartans, but there has been some move back toward the traditional with the older dancers. And certainly the tartan would be perfect for the aboyne costume used for the National dances.