Was "The Hand-Crafted Contemporary Kilt" ever made available?

[User]

Ah - @User, all those failures are probably down to not using the techniques gained by experience with dressmaking and too strong an obsession with looking different at the expense of practicality.

There might also be a wish to minimise the use of fabric which is all too common in the ready to wear garment industry.

I make reverse Kingussie type pleats, which are mirror imaged and point backwards so as not to catch on the branches in the heathland around here. I make deep under apron pleats, so if pockets are required I could hang them from the waistband inside that deep pleat and secure it to the inner layer of material, maybe adding a zipper to close it.

The deep under apron pleats ensure that if I step up onto an obstacle or go to climb over a gate or style, the aprons remain where they should and are not pulled to one side or lifted up. The width of the aprons is such that my knee opens that deep pleat. The deep pleats are half the apron width at the waist.

Anne the Pleater

I was thinking about hiding the left pocket inside an extra deep pleat. It sounds like that's what you're describing. If so, that gives me hope I'm on the right track.
The Sport Kilt also hangs its pockets from the waistband, so if you suggest the same, it would seem wise for me to follow suit. Conceptually, that should prevent sagging, which is excellent. And hopefully, if the pockets aren't attached to the outer layer they won't affect the natural movement and appearance of the kilt.

On the right, I was thinking of hiding the pocket between the outer and inner apron. But, it sounds like you create a deep pleat on the inner apron side as well. Is that right?
Is that specifically because you're doing reverse Kingussie pleating, or do you think having the pocket between the outer and inner apron wouldn't work well?

The last thought I had was to use non-tartan material for the pockets. Perhaps a cotton polyester blend, like how jeans pockets are done. It would reduce cost, make the pockets a touch thinner, and hopefully not be seen. Would you mind sharing your thoughts on this?

Also, I'm curious how you feel the center pleat looks on reverse Kingussie pleating. Does it really stand out, or is it not very noticable unless you pay attention? It seems that often it alters the pattern visible on the pleats. But perhaps that's avoidable depending on the sett?

Robert Macdonald showed the pockets in a kilt he resized for a client...

https://youtu.be/AmKKMtkfgQo?feature=shared

Might be of some interest.

I've seen that video before, but I appreciate the rewatch.
I don't care very much for those pockets. If they're used inside the kilt, they'd be hard to access, and you couldn't put much in them without having a strange bulge under the kilt.
If they're used on the outside, then obviously they're extremely visible and, in my opinion, create a utility kilt look, which is not what I want at this time.
Still, they seem very simple to implement, require a minimal amount of material (if you're not concerned with matching the sett), and could prove helpful in a pinch.
I just feel that, if I'm going to make pockets, I'd rather have them be invisible and with maximum utility.

[Kitfoxdave]

My wife and I made the style pockets the Macdonald video shows. I put it on the inside of the inner apron, about 1/4 of the way from the right side. I keep a minimalist style wallet in that pocket. Simply put my index finger between the shirt and inner apron and lift the pocket straight up.
A lot less difficult than getting your wallet out of the sporran, and the pocket does not show.

Just my experience.

[User]

My wife and I made the style pockets the Macdonald video shows. I put it on the inside of the inner apron, about 1/4 of the way from the right side. I keep a minimalist style wallet in that pocket. Simply put my index finger between the shirt and inner apron and lift the pocket straight up.
A lot less difficult than getting your wallet out of the sporran, and the pocket does not show.

Just my experience.

That certainly gives me something to think about. Thank you for sharing.