Elkommando returns

**NeightRG** · 16th February 12, 05:31 PM

Somehow the Elkommando has flown under my radar until now. That's a very attractive front apron for a modern style kilt. Might have to grab a couple of yards of duck cloth, see about a knock-off some time soon.

**tundramanq** · 16th February 12, 06:08 PM

NRG they are a treated nylon canvas, the pleats stop 5 inches from the top and the 5 inch waist band is "conical' with no seams under the area where a pack would ride and is lined with polyester chamois. Pleats are all sew in. Integral belt rides above the pack hip belt. Pretty technical kilt for $75. This fabric dries fast and dosent really hold much water. My cotton duck Utilikilts are carrying 22 oz of water right out of the spin cycle of my washer. BTW my denim Utilikilts retain 32 oz or a quart of water. I won't be swimming, rafting or wading in them either.

I started weighing them when I realized they were like a boat anchor wet and took 12-16 hours to hang and air dry. If you can find the nylon canvas, treat it and make non fraying seams in it go for it. I will loan you my medium for patterning. The aprons are seperate pieces. The pleats are a panel set into the back. keeping all seams out of the waist area until you get to the aprons.

**NeightRG** · 16th February 12, 06:12 PM

I'd seen all of the construction details you mention - but I'm glad that you pointed out the material... I'm sure it holds it's shape a thousand times better than duck cloth.

**NeightRG** · 16th February 12, 06:59 PM

And thanks for the offer, but it's just a few elements I'd want to recreate... A straight-up copy isn't what I'm after. While I'd never use it on a tartan kilt, I'm somewhat entranced by the use of a panel instead of a fell. Without a taper to sew into the pleats, you could draft and whip up this kind of thing in no time.

**tundramanq** · 16th February 12, 07:05 PM

Great idea. a lot less fabric under the belt too. That taper turns simple pleating into rocket science here.

**tundramanq** · 16th February 12, 08:11 PM

I tried to layout the arc of the waist band. the pleats are sewn down to the bottom of the pocket flaps, the pockets attach at top and one inch below the pocket flap, staking the pleats there even farther down. So this was as close as I could get. The pressing table squares are one inch. Hope this helps some. I think without the sew down and such the whole "waist band" is one smooth arc from apron to apron. Both aprons have a lessor arc mostly at the ends. The fabric weave backs this up. Top of waist band is 45", 5 inches down it is 54" (pulled straight) end to end.

Chuck

**NeightRG** · 16th February 12, 08:26 PM

Thanks for the shot. It's ridiculous how many little things I'm spotting on there that I've always thought "It'd be neat if someone"
From the buttons to attach the back to your front in between your legs, to the two-thirds lining, to the built-in belt...

If I were the kind of guy that actually bought kilts instead of making them, it'd be easy to put down $80 for a kilt like that.

**Really a McQueen** · 16th February 12, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by tundramanq

Today 2/16 REI is showing all but small of the Elkommandos in stock.

MH site - nada.

My REI dividend information should be available in about four weeks. If my calculations are correct, I should be able to pick one of these up for about $5.00, including shipping.

So, I think I'll chance the future availability, in my size, for now.

**Ravelyn** · 16th February 12, 09:08 PM

Well, I just ordered one. First I'll need to see how it fits, but if it's okay I'm going to try it out on a day hike. Wish I had one for my backpacking trip in Scotland last summer.

**tundramanq** · 17th February 12, 06:46 AM

This thing is loaded with little details. The synthetic waist band lining really wicks the sweat from under the pack belt. The more I look the more I find.
MH really engineered this one for the packers. Can you see why I want to loan this to you? The biggest "waste" of fabric I see is the single piece waistband arc / 5 inch panels that connect pleats and aprons. I am not sure why the pleat panel/fabric doesnt continue to the aprons instead of this huge stretched out W shaped piece. Sewing the upper pleat panel attachment corners is this fray happy stuff is beyond my and my machines skills. I notice they made two edge binding passes along the top of the pleat panel - one before pleating and one after that includes the waist band - then ran the top line of attachment straight stitch right over the binding stitches in this high stress area. That a total of 6 passes along the top edge, 4 straight stitch, of which only two are visible from the outside. I don't think they expect many to take them up on their lifetime warranty.