The kilt looks good and can't wait to see it complete.

I saw that same fabric at Joann's this past weekend and having the same thoughts of picking it up to try my hand at a tartan kilt after making 5 simple solid color knife-pleated kilts. Just curious how much material did you buy, and if I can ask what is your hip size (so I can compare to my 36)? When you said, "I didn't use any basting pins to sew the pleats, but they are machine-sewn" did you machine sew the pleats from the hip to the waist?

What are people thoughts on sewing the pleats from the hips to the bottom, to make pressing easier vs. not? Similar to the way a X-Kilt is done. I have done this with my previous kilts and it makes pressing more simple and a cleaner look. I know this is not the traditional way, just curious.