Greetings all,
As the title says I sewed a running kilt all with the help and instruction of Jennifer(my GF). Ive been hiking and running in Elkommando kilts for about a year and realized that this summer they were going to be too hot so I had the idea to locate some material and sew a running kilt. As usual with many things I just jump in with feet running as I hit the ground. Having taught Jennifer some wood working she was going to even the score by teaching me some sewing this past winter. We bought a new Janome HD1000 and she taught me the obligatory apron and flannel baggy pants. It didnt seem too hard, though there were a few moments of tied up thread and knots that made me feel I was playing golf. Yes sewing can have the same level of frustration as chasing little white balls. Well having two sewn items under my belt it was time to get a kilt going. I located some light weight sport material (with no stretch) and some wicking material for a liner. Using Barb T's wonderful book I set out to make my kilt.

If you have seen the Elkommando kilts you know they are a waist fit kilt, I was wanting more traditional higher waist fit. Reasons for this were the more traditional look, pack belts would be around the kilt not pushing it down around my waist and my water bottle pack would fit like a belt around a standard kilt. I incorporated a traditional style of apron and pleats and made the length 24" so it was at proper knee hight. Being opposed to velcro I utilized flat cam locks and nylon webbing. The photos below will show my work and what I wanted from it. Making it a combination of traditional, using Barb T's book, and using newer fabrics made for a kilt that is very light weight, has plenty of leg movement for running, and looks pretty cool when hanging out post run.

First photo are the pleats, they are sewn down to the waist and the outer pleat is sewn down so it will maintain shape. I dont think the material would hold pleats if I didnt sew them in.



Next is the front full apron. No fringe on the apron but the materials selvedge is a bit fringed.



My side straps. The webbing is sewn to the kilt apron, the buckle to the pleated area. Because it is a cam lock the strap ends up pointing forward. I put a wide loop on each side to insert the strap and keep it from being a bother.



Side view of the left side and strap. I put a deep pleat with both right and left sides which really allows alot of good leg motion for running and hiking.



Liner of quick dry wicking material. Ill chose some different material for my next running kilt, the blue liner has 2% stretch which was just enough to create some sewing hassles.



Proof is in the wearing. Fits up at proper kilt height and just above the knee. The two straps hold it quite well.



Rear view showing how it fits and falls nicely. For very light weigh material this does not "skirt up and poof out". The sew down pleats keep them crisp and neat.



Even a running kilt should have some pleat swoosh. Just showing off the pleats.



Lots of mistakes and redos on this project and notice not too many close up shots of the stitching. Im a stickler for doing well, having worked in wood work and other precise industries, so I know there are some uneven stitches and such. For a first project, first kilt by a total rookie Im quite happy with it and cant wait to get on the trails. I found some ultra light weight 6 inch compression briefs from Roadrunner sports to wear under these. Two things I dont like while running, chaffed inner thighs and monkey butt.

All comments, questions, suggestions and critique accepted and appreciated.