A unique tartan designed for Travellers of all kinds.
Did you know that Tartan is one of the oldest known fabrics ever found? People have been wearing clothing made of tartan for thousands of years. The oldest piece of Tartan found on Scottish soil is over 1,700 years old.
Traditionally tartans have been used to represent various clans; tribes and groups, so I thought it was about time that I went ahead and designed a tartan around the theme of travelling.
There has been a lot of background work gone into the idea of designing this unique fabric. I first came up with the idea maybe 20 years ago?.
I roughed out ideas for a pattern using chalk on black paper, but put it on hold (having young children) when I realised how much work went into designing a tartan.
It is quite hard to imagine the background work that goes into designing a traditional tartan that is accepted by the Scottish Register of Tartans; after all it's just a pattern made of lines, surely isn't it?.
To register a tartan with the S.R.T. it needs to follow certain criteria:-
A traditional tartan has between 240-260 threads in a six inch sett. There are different types of sett too, Symmetrical/reflective setts and Asymmetrical or repeating setts. You need to know the exact shades and number of wool used and the thread count and pattern. You can read all about this on the Scottish Register of Tartans.
Most people pay a tartan design company to design and register a tartan, but they usually take a cut of the profits if it's ever produced. As a person with very little money I decided I'd have to learn to do it myself and the first step was to learn to weave on a second hand child's loom I bought. So after a lot of learning and switching of shades, I came up with a design I was happy with. The black background colour represents the Tarmac of roads. The double white lines represent No Overtaking, or getting ahead. The double yellow lines represent No Parking and the double red lines are definitely No Parking or stopping. The very thin green line represents the tiny bits of land or lay-bys left to park on, but you can't get to it because it is blocked by the double yellow and double red lines. (The writing on the faux banner on the neckerchiefs is a tow rope, this represents us all helping each other along the road)
After several attempts and a lot of tweaking I registered the Tartan; 'Travelling the Road' tartan was born. Once a tartan has been designed and registered by someone it then has an automatic copyright on it where by nobody else can produce that tartan or a similar one without your written permission. Mad innit? Who would have thought that threads woven in a certain pattern could be so powerful?, but then again that's why the clans produced them in the first place. The phrase "To 'weave' a magic spell" is there for a reason - weaving threads in a certain way can add significant power to a fabric.
After several attempts and a lot of tweaking I registered the Tartan; 'Travelling the Road' tartan was born. Once a tartan has been designed and registered by someone it then has an automatic copyright on it where by nobody else can produce that tartan or a similar one without your written permission. Mad innit? Who would have thought that threads woven in a certain pattern could be so powerful?, but then again that's why the clans produced them in the first place. The phrase "To 'weave' a magic spell" is there for a reason - weaving threads in a certain way can add significant power to a fabric.
The fabric I've designed which is based on the tartan; I've now made into cotton neckerchief scarves, which will also be available in satin and chiffon too. There will also be a pure cotton T-towel available with a guipure wheel lace trim.
As an artist I love the idea that someone could wear an image on their person, that says so much to others who wear that image too. It's a great way of recognising fellow travellers and nomads too in a subtle way.
As an artist I love the idea that someone could wear an image on their person, that says so much to others who wear that image too. It's a great way of recognising fellow travellers and nomads too in a subtle way.
I will be creating lots of different items using this unique plaid design in the future, so watch this space and keep 'checking in' I'd like to think that 'Travelling the Road' tartan design, will become as recognisable as a Burberry tartan.
Because the neckerchief scarves are all hand made by me they vary slightly in size, so the measurements given are approximate.
The pure cotton T-towels measure approx. 47cms x 73cms, and has a cotton loop sewn on at the top for hanging.
The chiffon scarves measure approx. 63cms x 66cms.
The pure cotton scarves measure approx. 63 cms square.
and the Satin scarves measure approx. 58 cms square.
The scarves are printed on one side and the reverse is lighter, I've tried to show this in the picture below.
I would say the satin scarves are the richest in colour, the cotton scarves have a more grungy look and the chiffon scarves are obviously more floaty.
The T-towel has a Guipure lace trim, and the lace pattern is made up of tiny wagon wheels.
Since lockdown the prices of custom printed fabric has escalated, so the new price of these designer scarves will around £30 each including postage and packing. (Uk only).
I have worked with the charity Friends families and Travellers in the past, when I illustrated their series of children's educational books 'Tess the Traveller'. I'd like to support their excellent work, and £1 from the sale of every scarf will go to F.F.T.
Because the neckerchief scarves are all hand made by me they vary slightly in size, so the measurements given are approximate.
The pure cotton T-towels measure approx. 47cms x 73cms, and has a cotton loop sewn on at the top for hanging.
The chiffon scarves measure approx. 63cms x 66cms.
The pure cotton scarves measure approx. 63 cms square.
and the Satin scarves measure approx. 58 cms square.
The scarves are printed on one side and the reverse is lighter, I've tried to show this in the picture below.
I would say the satin scarves are the richest in colour, the cotton scarves have a more grungy look and the chiffon scarves are obviously more floaty.
The T-towel has a Guipure lace trim, and the lace pattern is made up of tiny wagon wheels.
Since lockdown the prices of custom printed fabric has escalated, so the new price of these designer scarves will around £30 each including postage and packing. (Uk only).
I have worked with the charity Friends families and Travellers in the past, when I illustrated their series of children's educational books 'Tess the Traveller'. I'd like to support their excellent work, and £1 from the sale of every scarf will go to F.F.T.
Now available in my Etsy Shop www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MultitalentedArt (temporarily closed but will be open again very soon)
Sorry, Chiffon Scarves are now SOLD OUT.
Hand woven Travelling the Road tartan beanies and ear warmers.
Sorry, Chiffon Scarves are now SOLD OUT.
Hand woven Travelling the Road tartan beanies and ear warmers.
Below is a Gallery of gorgeous people wearing their 'Travelling the Road Tartan'.........
Hover over the images to learn more, and click on the images to go to the wearers web-site.
Hover over the images to learn more, and click on the images to go to the wearers web-site.
