When do you know you've been beaten?

[Kilted Taper]

In no way have I given up on the kilt, just possibly how I'm pleating And you hit the nail on the head:

The rest is just sewing...

The way the pleats are falling are right on some of the smaller stripes. Trying to fold a 1/8" stripe in thirds or half even is just beyond my sewing abilities. I may just take out a few of the pleats and try again.

Thanks all for your support!

[Erisianmonkey]

I'm not sure how well this idea will work for you, as I was working with a miniature sett tartan, but have you tried using the edge of the stripe as the edge of the pleat and then putting the matching stripe directly below? It might take a touch more fabric, but you would be able to get your pleating to the sett done, I think. That's how I did my Black Watch (mini sett) kilt, and it worked like a dream. If you look at the left side of the pic, each stripe is at the edge of a pleat. (sorry about the pic quality)

Whatever you do, keep at it! I've found that there is very little as satisfying as getting compliments on a kilt you made yourself.

[way2fractious]

The way the pleats are falling are right on some of the smaller stripes. Trying to fold a 1/8" stripe in thirds or half...

The math of kiltmaking is a "guide" - don't look at it as an exact, unalterable state. Here are some tips to help ease your mind:

1) Not all pleat widths have to be the same size! As exmples, maybe every fourth pleat needs to be slightly larger to capture several thin stripes, or certain pleats need to be slightly smaller to diminish an overpowering color block.

2) Not all pleat depths have to be exactly the same. This allows slight shifts to be made in order to re-create the basic pattern (but maybe not the exact proportions) of the sett. No one being distracted by the "swish" of your pleats will notice that some are slightly shallower or deeper than the others.

Now that you have your pleating scheme laid out, fiddle around with the elements necessary to produce an exquisite set of pleats.

Keep going on it.