Definitely order swatches. Eight or ten bucks each, takes about two months to get them in Royal Mail, worth every penny. Sounds like you have time.

And do order one swatch from the Loch Carron Strome line. I got a piece in about a week ago, I see that the tuck-in selvedge on it is going to make the bottom edge of the kilt almost bullet proof.

EDIT: Also keep an eye on the remants pages. Remnants of double wide under one meter long are often priced like swatches. http://www.scotweb.co.uk/buy/tartan-...amily_id=40770