origins of the right-hand fringe

[Tobus]

Thanks!

Further on the topic: I've seen some older-styled kilts that have the right-hand apron edge folded back on itself once, then stitched in, w/o fringe. Most of my modern traditional kilts have the fringe in addition to several layers of fabric under that right-hand side of the apron.

My ex-MoD kilt is as you describe: just folded back on itself and stitched. They didn't leave a raw edge visible on the inside, so the cut edge was at least folded a bit before the stitching was done. But it doesn't feel like there are a lot of layers of tartan at the right side of the apron like fringed kilts.

Most kiltmakers these days will do the apron however you want. I would guess that a single or double fringe is standard if not otherwise specified, but some will do triple fringe or no fringe at all. I actually have come to prefer no fringe, and the kilt I'm having made at the moment will be like my military kilt.