Sewing Help Needed

[JimB]

I don't think I know quite how to help you. There are lots of threads on kilt making in this forum. As far as the sewing part of it, what I do is basically just a straight stitch. Nothing hard about it at all. It's getting the pleats where you want them that's the trick.
Are you doing your pleats to the stripe or to the sett? Get them how you like them, then pin them (pins go sideways to the line of sewing) and then sew them up. I'm assuming you mean stitchin on the side of the pleat to give them a sharp edge. You can do this or not, depending on the look you like. I always stitch the outside edge of the pleat, but I may or may not pleat the inside edge depending on the material.
If you mean the part that is sewn from the top of the kilt to the fell., then just mark about 8 inches down from the top of the kilt and after adjusting the it at the top for the waist measurement, just sew each pleat in place at the pleat edges. You can only do this if your fabic is fairly lightweight. If your machine won't cut it, then you will HAVE to handsew that part.
I hope that helps a little. I had to do a lot of reading before I understood how to do it. It also helps to have a kilt already to see how the stitching is done, then if you're like me, you will alter the techniques to suit your likings.

Also, know that ripping out stitching comes with the territory. We all do it.

[JimB]

Here's a good look at the pleats on one of my kilts.

You can see the edges that are sewn on the outside (they are also sewn on the inside but you can't see that). You can also see the stitching done from the top to the fell. On this particular kilt that was done by hand but you could do it with a machine if the material was light / thin enough.

Oh, and welcome to X-Marks by the way!