Originally Posted by
The F-H.C.A.G.
[The book is] very thorough and I know I will be able to construct a kilt as soon as I can find the time and get over my initial fear of potentially destroying some tartan material.
I find myself changing position on the "fear of destroying tartan" question.
My experience as a novice started out by handsewing a cotton casual kilt, then a few more, before attempting a tartan kilt using The Art of Kiltmaking. Two years later I attended a five-day kiltmaking workshop where most participants were very familiar with sewing. However, a couple of the men were not, yet they were helped past the "fear of destroying tartan" and were able to complete their kilts during that time. They (kilts and men) came away looking very fine.
There are only a few steps the kiltmaker finds nerve-racking: 1) cutting or ripping the tartan into kilt-width strips, 2) cutting out the excess material behind the pleat tapers, and 3) trimming the final piece off the underapron. But stop and think about it - the first and third are just measuring properly, and only the second step is truly destructive of the tartan. Yet that cutting is done after the pleat tapers are sewn, which means the kiltmaker has every opportunity to inspect, undo, and re-sew as many times as necessary to get the stitching right before cutting anything. This tartan (we are all addicted to) is pretty tough stuff.
Worst case: you undo every stitch made and wind up with a piece of tartan again. If it was measured improperly, then a kilted skirt or a child's kilt is still possible.
For anyone already familiar or handy with needle and thread, tape and scissors, there should be "no fear." 
Get the book and... Kilt On!
"Listen Men.... You are no longer bound down to the unmanly dress of the Lowlander." 1782 Repeal.
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