Looking for advice on my tartan trials

[Kinth]

Hello everyone,

I've been planning to register my own tartan for nearly a year now, and I've slowly made my way out of the "checkered tablecloth" syndrome to something more "tartan-like".

But I believe I still need advice from experienced kilt wearers, as I've surely forgotten many practical issues, and I've never been very good in designing things...

I've wanted not to use the "traditional" red/green tones, and elected a black basis with purple, yellow and white stripes. (This can change if I find something I like with other colors)

Here are some samples of tartans made around one I had designed and that I enjoyed (sorry for the "iDevice layout on one of the screedshots):

1 This is the original one, I thought it was nice looking, I really like the dual white stripes. I tried to keep colors close to their "opposite" (black/white and yellow/purple) to emphasise their matching , and avoid getting a "messy" pattern. Darker colors appear the most, as I don't want something too flashy or too "dirt-loving".

2 This one was to try some pattern with less purple, but using it as a pivot for the empty black space. As black was on the outside of the "cross", I've put the yellow at the center to reach a black/white opposition.
3 This one was only to see what happened when putting a few lines of purple close together, but I cannot make my mind on whether it is nice looking or ugly.
4 Trying with this one to inlude yellow in the purple zone.
5 With yellow as a a pivot, minimizing black tones.
6 This is a pattern with less white, asked by my mother when I spoke to her about my project, as she thought the white bands were too aggressives.


Don't hesitate to answer to the poll to give me the way you think I should follow, and make comentaries/pieces of advice !!!

[Tobus]

I voted for number 6 since, like your mother, I am not a fan of a lot of white. Numbers 1 through 5 look like 'dress tartans' or 'dance tartans' to me. And that would be fine if these were the intended purposes. But for a tartan that's going to be used for all-around purposes, I personally would steer clear of bold white stripes.

[sydnie7]

If you haven't already, take a quick peek at this post in OCRichard's thread about designing a Cornish tartan. Barb T gives feedback on use of "big clusters of very narrow stripes" from a kilt-maker's perspective. An important POV to keep in mind when playing with thread counts. . .

[Kinth]

I voted for number 6 since, like your mother, I am not a fan of a lot of white. Numbers 1 through 5 look like 'dress tartans' or 'dance tartans' to me. And that would be fine if these were the intended purposes. But for a tartan that's going to be used for all-around purposes, I personally would steer clear of bold white stripes.

Mmmh, ok, the aim was more to make some "general" tartan, to have some plaid/kilt/feileadh mor done out of it...
Bad think I love this "double white stripe"...

[Kinth]

If you haven't already, take a quick peek at this post in OCRichard's thread about designing a Cornish tartan. Barb T gives feedback on use of "big clusters of very narrow stripes" from a kilt-maker's perspective. An important POV to keep in mind when playing with thread counts. . .

I hadn't seen this topic, but it really is interesting, thank you for pointing this issue.

Anyway, and as a general comment of this topic, I'll say that I'm more interested in simple things, as I really think simplicity is beautiful by itself (I hope it appears in those tartans tries I linked). For this reason, I'll not make anything near OC Richard's one, because I feel it would be too "messy" for me (no offence, I just speak of personal opinion, for a tartan that would suit ME).

[Brenton]

I just like the look of #6 and congrats with moving forward on a personal tartan. No matter which one you choose, it'll be your own and that's pretty neat.

[David]

#6 for me

[mookien]

As I was scrolling down your post, and getting my first impressions, and choosing #6 as my favorite, I noticed that Tobus pretty much said what I was thinking.

Of the other five tartan designs, I prefer #5, because it has lots of purple - a color I like and don't currently have in any kilt. I am currently leaning towards the Strathtummel, which if you are curious may be seen at ...

http://www.letsbuyscottish.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/strathtummel.jpg

Good luck on your tartan design adventure.

[crash]

I like number 2. I like your colour choices Patrick. I think there may be a couple more pattern choices.

[Kinth]

Thank you Crash, for the patterns, I try to go for some different ones, but I keep re-doing the same each time
I have selected 6 different ones for here, but I have about 25 more on my computer desk, remaining from months of trials...