Tartan an' Tweed'll Dee for the Ballater Victoria Week

Anyone who has taken part in the Frockery Eco-Fashion challenge over the past few years will  recognise our chief judge, Janice Stewart, from the striking photograph above. Although her craft business Tweed'll Dee by Notions is based just 12 miles from Frockery HQ, our paths first crossed online when Janice entered and (twice!) won our challenge by wowing us all with her creativity and flair, her unique sense of style and wonderful sense of fun.

Janice, who originally hails from Ballater on Royal Deeside, has recently been very busy preparing for the Ballater Victoria Week, at which she will be launching and showcasing the brand new BVW tartan,  designed by a local wee lassie, Lizzie Scripps, in celebration of Homecoming Scotland 2014 and first woven this year.

You'll find her  strutting her tartan stuff at the Victoria Hall, Station Square, Ballater, on Saturday 8th August from 11am until 4pm. Full details of the event can be found on the Official Launching of Ballater Victoria Week Tartan Facebook Page, where some merchandise is also available to buy online.

Tweed'll Dee generously sponsored the initial production of 10m of 11oz double-width woollen tartan, and Janice has used it to create a small range of products, some of which will be sold in aid of BVW.

Explaining her proud involvement in her 'home town' project, Janice said:

“On choosing the business name Tweed’ll Dee,  I based it loosely on the Doric language (‘Tweed Will Do’), still prevalent in my home town and, although I now live in Brechin, I’m not that far from my roots! Tweed’ll Dee by Notions is proud to be the sole supplier and sponsor of the initial set-up and first production run of this special edition tartan fabric!"

She promises there will be lots of lovely products available to buy, including one-offs and limited editions, made using the new tartan.  Her showcase table will be part of the Knittykittybangbang Crafters event  and Janice herself will be unmissable as ever, dressed up to the nines in her specially created BVW tartan frockery!

Many of the sellers at the event, along with other selected makers, have donated items to the big raffle which have been made from tartan donated by Tweed'll Dee, and it is hoped that larger-scale production of the tartan will follow if there is sufficient interest.  Maybe some of the high profile locals will give it their royal seal of approval?