An idea that is slowly coming together from the initial seed (from Anne) is that I create a business line that deals with tartans and specifically custom designed tartans. Largely inspired by some previous and current efforts this would entail working with a customer who supplies color palette thoughts. I would use weaving design software to work those colors into some tartan examples then work through the process of selecting appropriate yarn, adjusting colors appropriately, then finally weaving the selected cloth – for any purpose.
My first custom tartan was a ‘family tartan’ for Anne and I, combining colors from both of our family ancestral histories.
For this tartan I spun the wool and made a 3 ply yarn. It was then dyed, with commercial dyes to get the bright colors, and finally woven in a traditional twill. Given the time taken to spin and ply the wool this only made enough cloth for a small cushion! Definitely not the way to make material for a kilt!
The second custom design was for a housewarming gift for friends in Florida. The red and white was from room colors in the house, while the blue, green and black were for the waters where Chris enjoys his hobby of diving.
This tartan was woven with 8/2 cotton in the chosen colors. I began weaving this at the 2019 Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival and even wore a kilt on the Saturday whilst doing so.
The current project is a tartan throw for another housewarming gift for a friend in Southern Virginia. She gave us colors of the pokeweed bush and a belted kingfisher. That gave me some fairly good contrasting colors to work with.
The computer design looks way better than the screen shot, but got the go-ahead from Terri. Then finding yarns that would come close to those colors took a little while, but eventually everything needed was available in 3/2 mercerized cotton from the Yarn Barn. I’m winding the warp in smaller groups (9 required) before dressing the loom). I’ll update with a separate post on the progress.
The final tartan will be a baby blanket for a nephew. He and his wife are having their first child in a few months. We have the colors but as yet I haven’t even started on the design.
Custom design and products is one part of the original idea. There are also ideas for classes in designing, color choices, weaving, etc that might someday be taught in the Kiwiweave studio.