It's a wonderful book. The class I attended went 'by the book' page by page. Read it through two or three times so you are not doing as I did, turning a page and having to call my sister, Sydnie, and ask "did we do this at Kilt Kamp?" You and your wife CAN make a kilt. Having some sewing experience is a good thing..keeping lines straight, sewing with invisible stitches, etc. Good for you! Chose a tartan with a symmetric sett, please. Don't make yourself crazy with your first kilt with an asymmetric tartan. Best wishes!