Quote Originally Posted by Mr. MacDougall View Post
Why not do a test run first, on les expensive material, and apply your lessons learned to the tartan?
I agree.
I made 3 kilts (finished 2, all are tartan/plaid wools) in cheaper stuff before I started on worsted. AND, the first worsted I did was some clearance 13 oz F&K Caledonia I go from The Scottish Weaver, out of Charlotte, NC (I got 4 yards for $99, plus shipping). The first is well passable, the second (my first box) is good (pleats are WAY to small), the third looks great (but is crappy material, so it remains not quite finished). The forth, and so on look good enough to stay in my main rotation.

On EACH I learned SO much that the ones now are MUCH better and the investment was just time. The key, though, is to get material that best imitates the feel and characteristics (weigh, pull, hang, etc) of worsted wool.