NOW I AM INSPIRED!!!! and...it all makes good sense.

Many must have gotten quite a laugh with my intial postings many month's ago when I first began my assault on the perfect kilt. Can't count how many hours I put into that THING. In thory, in my mind, and on paper it all seemed so reasonable. Alas, when I put it on it did try to all hang straight, but the lumps, bumps and unsightly bulges kept wanting to push right through. I must have gone through half a dozen front panels. Then, in looking at the many hip huggers with diagonal bottom lines and dunlops over the belt I knew the reason for the higher fit on a grand physique such as mine. The thinner fabric didn't help as it only accentuated all of the above. I have yet to ever wear "THE THING" outdoors, though I have enjoyed tradtionals from others. Actually, this is why I thought of a sanity check before beginning to measure and cut, lest there be tricks of the trade to better cover my all, lead to a better panel wrap, and a pleating plan that is really suited to such a rear. Even Barb's book alludes to minor adjustments for such. For example, I just don't care for wide pleats other than on the part that is hidden, but your point about the swish factor was well made.