I (we) measured my XKilt to jeans waist. Definitely not a 6 inch difference, but wasn't an issue other than allowing properly for fell to waist. To get it accurate, have someone measure for you. Our own twisting about and not letting self just stand comfortably throws things off a bit.

My next XKilt is going to have pleat inset (yes, rabble, I've not got to it yet). I'm going to keep it simple by just sewing the inner pleat panel directly to the black kilt material, using the pleat sew-down to advantage.