I think it's easier to be accurate when sewing by hand than by machine (I've done kilts both ways). Each stitch by hand allows you to set and match your placement, whereas machines tend to wander (when you are talking about 1/32s). Takes longer, of course, but that is part of the point.

I'll continue to fashion kilts both ways, with machine stitching reserved for non-tartan casuals and hand-stitching dedicated to tartans (even PV).

My 0.48p