[Ansteorra] tartans

[Faith Vedder]

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"Named" tartans are, to the best available information, not period.  That is, a particular tartan is not specifically associated with a particular family.  However, weaving techniques and colors based on local fauna are thought to have developed.  The "naming'  developed in Victorian times and  is attributed to the influence of Sir Walter Scott and the  Sobieski brothers.  If an identifiable piece of tartan was visible in a portrait or as a remnant with defined ownership, they named the Tartan after that person.
 Note that this does not mean that families did not have patterns that they preferred, only that the practice was not documented and we do not know.
The key points to a "period" tartan is that it would have been made with vegetable died wool and that the pattern often contains both an undercheck and an overcheck. Note that Sir Walter Scott's tartan looks more like a green and black houndstooth check.
We believe Great kilts are made of  about 8 yards. Small kilts are not period and can be made of either 4 or 8 yards of fabric, or probably anything in between.

There is a book by Charles Thompson called "So, You're Going to Wear the Kilt" that may be of some help.  Many kiltmakers have historical information posted on their sites. It's worth a look.

Mistress Evelyn du Monde
a Scottish Country Dancer and member of Clan MacPherson USA



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