A number of questions

[SteveB]

Hello and a warm Celtic from Boston, Massachusetts.
For the first Great Kilt, with on non-Scot spouse in the picture, I highly recommend visiting the local fabric store for a heavyweight muted plaid (browns, black, dark blues, dark greens) in rayon polyester, or acrylic. I found a four yard piece of 60" wide in the remainders bin for only $ 2.00 a yard. It was heavy enough to use for seat covers. I took it home and put my belt on the bed, pleated the fabric over it, laid down on it and folded the ends of the front so that the outer apron ended on the right side, fastened my belt around my girth, grabbed the top of the fabric and held it over my shoulder, and stood up. Great Kilt done. Since the weft and wane of the pattern do not match, it is a plaid and not a tartan. For renfaires, SCA, etc. it does not make any difference. The fun is the important part. Even the Kilt Police did not show up on the poor young gent that had the aprons backward at the last renfaire that I attended. As everyone was having fun, it was not even brought up.
Should the spouse overrule any future kilt use of the fabric, you have a great cover for over the sofa when the kids are on the loose. And not out much money.
Slainte