Definitely looks better Jamie. Go forth MacBeth and pillage that candy from the unsuspecting trick-or-treaters on Halloween.

In Rob Roy’s day, the kilt was worn shorter than we wear them today. The typical highlander wore his kilt two to three inches above the knee.

When Tartan Web was selling the cloth for Great Kilts, they posted a standing method of pleating the kilt. That’s the method I use to pleat my kilt.

I start by holding the corner of the material in my left hand with the width hanging vertically and the yardage off to my right. I then pleat the cloth using seven to eight inch pleats (I hold the pleats between the thumb and forefinger of my left hand.)

Once I have the cloth pleated, I throw it over my right shoulder. I adjust the length of where it hits on the back of my leg (usually a couple of inches above the back of the knee.) When I have the length where I want it, I use my head to hold the material on my right shoulder (by sandwiching it between my head and shoulder.) While I am holding the material this way, I put my belt on making sure to leave it loose by two or three holes.

Still holding the material on my shoulder, I work the lower part around to form the aprons. After the aprons are in place, I tighten the belt up to secure the material around my waist. From there you can finish the plaid in one of several ways.

Depending on the weather, I may either let it hang down the back, pull the right side around under the arm and up to meet the left side which I pull over the left shoulder, or I pull both ends over my shoulders and use my brooch to secure it at the front under my chin to form a cape with hood.