Bad idea, but... I want to make two hand sewn kilts for my wedding... next month, but hear me out!
First, I'm new but not too new to kilts. I have been studying them for a few years, own a couple utility kilt, have a general idea on the proper fit, and purchased and studied 'The Art of Kiltmaking' a year ago. I also have 5 yards of double wide New Hampshire tartan (16 oz) that I've used as a great kilt at festivals and such that's still in great condition, and can pick up more in a couple days.
Worst case, we can get a couple suits and the bride will be happy, we aren't doing anything super fancy. So if I fail to make them in time, we have a contingency.
I plan on pleating to the stripe, specifically the wide green stripe, so that should give me some wiggle room warp-wise if things begin to drift.
I also have the time off right now, so I can work on this full time, at least to the point I don't get tired/burned out and start getting sloppy.
I figure 60-70 hours for the first, and another maybe get down to 40-50 for the second. I'll probably do them in tandem, keeping my best man's a step or 3 behind.
I really like the NH tartan. I don't have a family tartan, and I know its not a huge deal to most people, but my family has been in NH since 1639, and it's always been my home. I also really like the symbolism, and have settled on the pleating to the green stripe, because it creates muted greens across the back, and when you walk, it'll reveal the rich purple, red, and black inside the pleats. This translates well the NH... The first thing you see is our forests, but when you look closer, there's hidden beauty within (purple for the state bird/flower, lilac and purple finch), a hardiness from our snowy mountains and granite filled soil (white and black), and a rich history going back to the American Revolution (red for our fallen heros).
Anyways, length wise, I'm aiming for top of the kneecaps. It seems my waist according to the book is a little above my bellybutton (1-1.5 inches), but I want to be sure I don't make it too long.
I fully expect to be undoing a lot of my initial work, but I think I've decided to give it a go. Sounds absolutely crazy to start with so little time, but hey, I've made far worse decisions in my life.