Adding kilt bows/rosettes?

[OC Richard]

I suppose the trick for these bows or rosettes would be finding tartan ribbon that matches the kilt well, like our Gordon Walker has done.

About 25 years ago I made a pair of Black Watch style bows of Gordon ribbon that I attached to my Gordon kilt. I'll try to find a photo.

I did a lot of Scottish Country Dancing back then and I always got comments on those bows.

OK here's a blast from the past, me in 1980 or so, showing those Gordon tartan bows. They're wrong of course, because the Gordon Highlanders never wore such.

[longhuntr74]

I suppose the trick for these bows or rosettes would be finding tartan ribbon that matches the kilt well, like our Gordon Walker has done.

Richard, I would venture to say that those rosettes aren't made out of ribbon, but of the exact same material that the kilt is made of. That's what I intend to do when I make mine...perhaps stiffen it a bit with some iron-on interfacing...I'll have to experiment...it may be a bit difficult with 18oz fabric...but I think 13oz would be superb for the purpose.

I just watched that youtube video...and a bunch of others of Gordon...HOLY COW!!!

[Brian K]

Richard, I would venture to say that those rosettes aren't made out of ribbon, but of the exact same material that the kilt is made of. That's what I intend to do when I make mine...perhaps stiffen it a bit with some iron-on interfacing...I'll have to experiment...it may be a bit difficult with 18oz fabric...but I think 13oz would be superb for the purpose.

I just watched that youtube video...and a bunch of others of Gordon...HOLY COW!!!

I thought the same thing about Mr. Walker's rosettes.

I also think the idea of using 13 oz. material is good due to the fact that the sett will be smaller than in the 18 oz. and it will help the visibility of the kilt panel and rosette in such a dark sett. It might also help if you bind the "ribbon" you fashion to make them in a satin or grosgrain the same shade as one of the darker colors.

[OC Richard]

Richard, I would venture to say that those rosettes aren't made out of ribbon, but of the exact same material that the kilt is made of.

Yes perhaps as people are saying Gordon Walker's rosettes are made of a lighter weight tartan, as you can see that the sett size is smaller.

I myself prefer the military way, which is to use actual ribbon.

The Black Watch and the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders use grass-green ribbon on their Black Watch/Sutherland kilts, while the Black Watch Pipe Major uses Royal Stuart ribbon on his Royal Stuart kilt.

It's actually a bit of a pet peeve of mine when things which were traditionally made of ribbon of the necessary width (silk or worsted wool) are nowadays instead made of tartan yardage cut to shape and sewn.

These things include kilt bow/rosettes, bagpipe drone ribbons, and garter flashes.

The ones made out of cut cloth never look as traditional, as nice, as the old style made of ribbon woven to the correct width.

Note that the Black Watch Pipe Major's drone ribbons and kilt bows are made of actual ribbon:

[longhuntr74]

Richard...good input and I understand your viewpoint. I think you're right about the tartan ribbon...and I am looking to purchase some BW to make some rosettes.

For the masses, I would also note that, in doing a search for suppliers, it only appears to be commercially available in about 12 common tartans...so for the BW, Royal Stewart, Gordon, etc...you're good to go. If you have a kilt made of something else and wish to copy the look, you can choose a complementary solid color grosgrain ribbon or use a lightweight tartan.