I don't know that I'm the only one making a hand sewn 5 yard knife pleated kilt, but there certainly aren't many out there. Most of the major kilt making firms will offer either a "full eight yard" typical kilt, and a "casual kilt" of some variety with less yardage that will almost invariably be machine sewn.

I really specialize in the four yard box pleated kilts. That's what I first learned how to make, that's what most of the kilts I have made have been, and that's what I really enjoy making. However, I started to offer the 5 yard knife pleated kilts simply because some people were attracted to the idea of a kilt with less yardage, but they preferred knife pleating to box pleating. And they didn't want a machine made kilt. Why shouldn't these people be able to get the kind of kilt they want?

Why do I use 5 yards instead of 4? In my opinion, 5 yards is about the minimum you need (for an average sized man) to get a decent looking knife pleat and still be able to pleat to the stripe (given the average sett repeat of most heavy weight tartans).

~M