Saltire kilt's tartan??

[Paul Henry]

No further doubts, at least from me. But now knowing the added white segments of the saltire that show on the pleats are actually sewn into the "tartan" fabric itself makes me wonder just exactly what the back side of the tartan in those areas looks like, since normally a tartan is identical front and back except for the different angle of the twill lines. I would assume that if they are built into the fabric front by design that they would also be there on the backside too, but again that is simply an assumption based on what little I think I understand about how tartan is woven. Are the same patterns there as well, or some amalgamation of loose threads ends of some sort?
Never a trust issue as we all recognize you folks as the experts, merely one of understanding.

They are not sewn into the tartan, they are part of the weaving, and not an added decoration.If you look closely at the Rampant Lion kilt, you will be able to see that the normal twill weaving is changed into non twill weave for the pleat portions that have the design element on them. The wrong side of the fabric will probably have the reverse elements in the pattern element in the alternative colour to some extent, although with clever weaving this will be disguised a little.
So no loose threads, it's all contained within the actual cloth

[RockyR]

They are not sewn into the tartan, they are part of the weaving, and not an added decoration.If you look closely at the Rampant Lion kilt, you will be able to see that the normal twill weaving is changed into non twill weave for the pleat portions that have the design element on them. The wrong side of the fabric will probably have the reverse elements in the pattern element in the alternative colour to some extent, although with clever weaving this will be disguised a little.
So no loose threads, it's all contained within the actual cloth

Correct... the 'bad side' of the cloth has the 'negative' of the front side. If you made the kilt 'inside out', you'd have a NEGATIVE X on the pleats. The back side would be mostly white with a blue(ish) X.

[fluter]

I have almost convinced myself that one could approximate the saltire effect... but you'd have to pleat the kilt on the bias.

I hereby nominate Jeff to perform the experiment, and report back when he's succeeded.

Yes, that would make for some interesting joins. I recommend using a double-width fabric.