One thing you could do is look at a box pleat from our own Matt Newsome. That will run about half the fabric and still be a very nice kilt. He is on my list of makers of my next kilt, IF I can ever get money saved up again.

By the way, what part of CO are you in? We often have a kilt night in Denver but are starting to get enough between Pueblo and Monument to have one in the Springs. Come out and join us for the next one. We will be posting about it later.