Minimum depth of a deep pleat

[Sean Wilson]

All the deep pleats on the kilts I've bought or made vary in depth from 8&1/2 inch to 11 inch before they are folded to make the pleat which hlves this measurement. In TAoKM Barbara says the minimum width of tartan from apron edge to edge of first pleats should be 9 to 10 inch (again before the tartan is folded when making the deep pleat). Which brings me to the question what is the very minimum you can get away with?

Why?

I'm currently making a kilt with Gunn 16oz tartan from Marton Mills. I'd like to make this to the sett with the red stripe centered at the rear, which means I either get a deep pleat of 8 inch (4 when folded) or a ridiculously large deep pleat around 14 to 15 inch deep (7 to 7.5 when folded)... I could have the center stripe green rather than red which would get me a deep pleat at 11 inch (this has worked well for me before)... BUT.... I don't like how the pattern at the edge of the apron from waist to fell looks when placed against the first pleat?

Hope that makes sense... So back to the question... do I go with a better 11 inch deep pleat(5.5 when folded) but a less attractive match where pleat and apron meet OR can I get away with an 8 inch deep pleat (4 when folded) - which looks nicer to the eye where apron and pleats meet?

Did I just repeat myself here - lol?