The first kilt I made was for myself, and my teacher said to make it the same way as for a man's kilt. So I learned to make kilts fastened on the right. Most highland dancers these days are female and their dance kilts fasten on the right. But if a lady wants hers to be fastened on the left, I can make it that way.
The thing that I feel makes a big difference in kilts for ladies, is that it looks and feels better if the rise is not as high as the usual 2" rise on a man's kilt. That's too bulky for me. I prefer them to have minimal rise (1") or have the strap at waist level. When I make highland dance kilts, I place the back canvas to come up just to the waist stabilizer and not continue up on the rise. That way it's not as bulky.
Bonnie Heather Greene, Kiltmaker and Artist
Traditional hand stitched kilts, kilt alterations, kilt-skirts
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