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Tartan is a woven fabric with stripes in different colors and widths, commonly associated with Scotland. It can be made from various materials and is often worn with neutral colors. The pattern is sometimes called “checkered” and is used for clothing and crafts. Clan tartans became popular in the 19th century and are still associated with Scottish heritage.
Tartan is a woven fabric with a variety of stripes in different widths and colors at right angles to each other. In some parts of the world, the pattern is called “checkered.” The distinctive stark pattern of tartan is closely associated with Scotland, which has been weaving tartan for centuries. Most cultures actually demonstrate a history of weaving textiles with controlled patterns, as they are relatively easy to weave and quite eye-catching as well.
The word comes from a Latin word, tyrius, for “cloth.” A tartan can be woven from any textile, although wool is common as it takes dye well and also insulates the body in cold regions of the world where tartan is popular. Wool can also be woven in different thicknesses, allowing people to wear lighter weight wool tartans in warmer climates. Tartan can also be made from linen, cotton, or silk. Tartan is generally worn with neutral colors, as bold blocks of color in the pattern have the potential to clash.
In the UK, ‘check’ is commonly used to describe a scarf, throw or blanket. It comes from a Gaelic word, plaide, which means “blanket.” In other areas of the world, plaid is a generic word for the tartan pattern. In many of these regions, a “tartan” is specifically associated with Scottish clans, while plaid is an all-encompassing name for any type of checkered textile. This can lead to some confusion, but the intended meaning is usually clear from the context.
The association of specific tartans with particular clans formally began in the 19th century. Originally each region of Scotland had a regionally specific tartan pattern. The clans that dominated each region slowly adopted these tartans to represent their family and specific region, and in 1815, the registration of individual clan tartans began. The tartan also became a symbol of Scottish heritage and pride, and continues to be associated with Scottish culture.
Many sewing stores sell tartan fabric for sewing and crafts. Clothing made in a tartan pattern is also available in many stores, in the form of skirts, jackets, pajamas, and everything in between. People with Scottish heritage who wish to celebrate it sometimes research their genealogy to determine whether or not they have a clan tartan, or what tartan would have been worn in their area. Investigating a tartan can sometimes reveal an interesting and colorful history, along with a family coat of arms.
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