There are kilt making instructions on the web, I had one bookmarked but it doesn't work at the moment. That being said, I think Steve and I are saying basically the same sort of thing but we approach it slightly differently, or language.
So when you look at your USA kilt flat out and open, you have an over apron, the pleated section and an under apron. So out of your 4 yds at least 23 inches for your over apron and another 23 inches for your under apron. Leaves 98 inches for your pleats. or your desired 18 pleats 5,5 inches for each pleat face and depth. But you need a double pleat on one side (over apron)and a box pleat on the other(under apron), both are double deep pleats so that also has to be taken into account, The pleated section is about half your hip. so the face of the pleated section has to be = to 22 inches. There is a formula of splitting your measurements so that hip measurement could be more in the back than in the front which can make a better fitting kilt. That is covered in Barbs book and some other instructions.
Now some makers will have you do darts in the front and under apron to taper the waist as well as the taper of the pleats in the back. And Steve also tells you where you should taper the pleats.
Once you understand the math you will get the idea.
You can also do this on paper with a scale rule and you can see on paper what you have to do with the fabric.
Most machines can handle the fabric, however the biggest challange with a domestic machine is the waistband on a sewn down kilt as you have a lot of layers to sew through in the pleated section. Use a fresh needle when you get to that part.
Give Steve a call, he offered to talk you through it.
Pleasant dreams and you will wake up at 3:00 AM and have a Ureka moment!
Cheers
Robert