Following Barb T.'s book...

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Right, Barb, understood. However, I just wanted to make the point that this distinction between 4-yards being casual and 8-yard being formal is a false one. A good, *hand tailored* four yard kilt can be worn to any formal occasion just as an 8-yard. It all depends on the accessories.
M

[Phil Wright]

Phew! I feel a lot better now I can pin! I also found that as I was trying to pull the pinned ends were fine but the cloth 'moved' as I stitched ending up with a bulge at the middle. I tried tacking along the pleat edges to hold the tartan together which seemed to work a bit better too.(Probably also not officially recommended.)
Thanks for the advice.
Phil