Thank you so much for your quick and thorough reply. I'm amazed that you take the time to respond to so many people's questions. I really appreciate this.

I think I'm overthinking every step at this point. I have 2 kilts here that I am referring to, in addition to your book and I think they may have been engineered to approx. align the sett at the bottom of the apron edge (but don't seem to have paid any attention to the centre pleat/centre stripe at the back). So I think that I was trying to follow the instructions in your book, and also have the apron edge look that way...and was trying to figure out if I missed some instructions or if they were just that way by chance, or ... again - overthinking.

Your response makes sense. I need to stop re-marking where the pleats will be, make a decision and go for it (that is start sewing pleats).

It sounds like many of my concerns will resolve themselves when I press it all out.

I'm already thinking that the second kilt will be easier (like the reduced panic with the second child).