Yes there is a pattern, and it is not really a "shadow" sett where the threads are different sizes or textures but all completely black, it is a black sett with a just slightly lighter than black grey thread pattern in the sett that feels like standard tartan but whose sett is only obvious in very good light. Here is a picture of the aprons in good sunlight:



Pardon the suspenders/braces but I was having a challenging day keeping my aprons, and subsequently belt and sporran, up over my paunch as the kilt was just slightly oversized for me at the time this picture was taken three years ago. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your viewpoint, it fits wonderfully now. Yippee, me.