Burns Days, wearing my 'made-it-myself', Maple Leaf belted Plaid. After discussions, on this forum, and research, both here & other websites, I decided to make this ( and my other one, which is in "MacNaughton Ancient" tartan), with a drawstring, on the outside. Having the drawstring on the outside makes more sense, to me, as it not only holds the pleats even, it also ties the aprons down. Having a drawstring, on the inside, wouldn't tie the aprons closed. With the drawstring on the outside, I can put on the belted plaid, put on my sporran ( using a couple of the drawstring 'belt-loops' to hold the sporran belt ( just like with a sewn kilt), and then put on my (kilt) belt.