This is a familiar pattern, one that we have all seen, these are two different color variations of plaid fabric. Some call it flannel but the truth is that this fabric is called Tartan and it originated in Scotland. In fact plaid is a tartan cloth that is slung over the shoulder as an accessory to a kilt (the Scottish knee-length pleated bottom from the highlands) or a plain cloth that you would find on a bed. Tartan cloth originated in Scotland, it's now made all over the world but let us start with the basics of this beautiful cloth.
Tartan is a pattern that consists of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands (lines) of colors that give it the distinct and familiar appearance. It originated solely woven from wool but now it's made of all sorts of materials such as linen, cotton, polyester, fleece, and various combinations of other types of textiles including wool. It is created by alternating the bands of pre-dyed threads and are woven at right angles of the warp and the weft to give it that unique appearance. The weft is woven in a simple twill, two over: two under the warp, advancing one thread at each pass. Visible diagonal lines appear where different colours cross, which give the appearance of new colors blended from the original. The resulting blocks of colour repeat vertically and horizontally in a distinctive pattern of squares and lines known as a sett.
In the older times, each area of Scotland had their own colors and patterns for tartan as commercial and synthetic dyes were unavailable. So each region used the dye that they could gather from their local foliage and flora and then the wool was dyed and woven by a local weaver. Now, though, any one can wear any color as the Victorian Era brought about trade in Scotland so more dyes became available to them. The tart kilts are now just a symbol of Scotland and can be worn by anyone wanting to wear it with any color unless they choose a specific region to represent.
Tartan is now found in many forms, not just cloth, you can find it in wallpaper, book coverings, tablecloth, place mats, scarves, gloves, etc. When the States discovered the tartan cloth, it became known as plaid, in reference to the color and not the cloth, this is also a linguistic error just like calico. Although there was some error in the translation, it turned out well as we all know that "flannel shirts" are always made of tartan. So if you own a piece of plaid (whether it be a shirt, hat, glove, scarf, or tablecloth) then you'll know that it's not called a "plaid" scarf. Perhaps you'll refer to it as a "tartan scarf" or a "tartan shirt." Whatever you choose, always remember that it came from Scotland and was made of wool. Just another tidbit of history on the textiles that you are wearing, it's always fun to learn about textiles so enjoy and until next time.
Tartan is a pattern that consists of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands (lines) of colors that give it the distinct and familiar appearance. It originated solely woven from wool but now it's made of all sorts of materials such as linen, cotton, polyester, fleece, and various combinations of other types of textiles including wool. It is created by alternating the bands of pre-dyed threads and are woven at right angles of the warp and the weft to give it that unique appearance. The weft is woven in a simple twill, two over: two under the warp, advancing one thread at each pass. Visible diagonal lines appear where different colours cross, which give the appearance of new colors blended from the original. The resulting blocks of colour repeat vertically and horizontally in a distinctive pattern of squares and lines known as a sett.
In the older times, each area of Scotland had their own colors and patterns for tartan as commercial and synthetic dyes were unavailable. So each region used the dye that they could gather from their local foliage and flora and then the wool was dyed and woven by a local weaver. Now, though, any one can wear any color as the Victorian Era brought about trade in Scotland so more dyes became available to them. The tart kilts are now just a symbol of Scotland and can be worn by anyone wanting to wear it with any color unless they choose a specific region to represent.
Tartan is now found in many forms, not just cloth, you can find it in wallpaper, book coverings, tablecloth, place mats, scarves, gloves, etc. When the States discovered the tartan cloth, it became known as plaid, in reference to the color and not the cloth, this is also a linguistic error just like calico. Although there was some error in the translation, it turned out well as we all know that "flannel shirts" are always made of tartan. So if you own a piece of plaid (whether it be a shirt, hat, glove, scarf, or tablecloth) then you'll know that it's not called a "plaid" scarf. Perhaps you'll refer to it as a "tartan scarf" or a "tartan shirt." Whatever you choose, always remember that it came from Scotland and was made of wool. Just another tidbit of history on the textiles that you are wearing, it's always fun to learn about textiles so enjoy and until next time.