Thanks for the good suggestions! I am making this one as a means of learning a bit about the process, what to do and not to do, and HOW TO SEW. Some many things to be considered in building from scratch and making your own pattern, like the mechanics of joining seams, etc.. Today I finished the wrap around waist where the belt will go, the back panel that goes just below the belt (non-pleated) to hold something like a nice Scottish patch (sources?), the pleating, and the attachment of the pleats. An 11 hour day!

Things learned:
1. Patterns with a tartan that is made of 1 1/2 inch squares is far harder in that it takes so much more effort to match the verticals and horizontals at every intersection
2. Light weight fabric may be more comfortable in the heat of the south, but it is a HUGE pain to work with in terms of sewing and pleating
3. A GOOD seam ripper is a GOOD investment
4. Just because it looks right on the top when sewing doesn't mean that a pleat or seam hasn't snagged underneath in the sewing machine
5. Needles DO break if you try to sew over the pins!
6. When sewing many layers, a 16 needle is mighty valuable
7. Kiltmakers EARN their money!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a great learning experience. After this one I have some beautiful tweed for my first X-Kilt AND today received some incredible, heavy beautiful tartan for my first real, formal, traditional kilt for when my edition 2 of "The Book" arrives this month. ALL of this raises one's awareness of all that goes into the tradition!

Now, the wife already has a pattern on the way for ME to make HER an outfit to wear next to me at the Stone Mountain Highland games. Alas, the life of an author while awaiting the muse to finish the final chapter of book number five.

Why do I have a sudden urge to learn the bagpipes?