Pleating options in lower yardage kilts

[The Wizard of BC]

The way most makers create a lower yardage kilt is to make each pleat wider. There are therefore fewer pleats for any given hip circumference. As each pleat uses about one Sett, fewer pleats mean fewer Setts would be required.

If the Tartan pattern allows it does not matter if you pleat to the Sett or Stripe.

However, not all Tartans lend themselves to one type of pleating or another. You must look at and treat each case individually. Just as each narrow pleat must be carefully planned around the Tartan pattern.

You could think of it sort of like a 4 yard box pleated kilt. Box pleats can be made to Sett or to Stripe. It really all depends on the elements of the Tartan.