Make an Ultralight Waterproof Kilt Mk3 (92g / £5+)

Background

The Mk1 was really light and simple but wasn't much use as a groundsheet. The Mk2 was much better as a groundsheet but not so good as a kilt - it wasn't as comfortable as the Mk1 and the press-studs are relatively heavy.

This Mk3 addresses both those issues. It's basically a Mk1 that can be unbuttonned to create a large groundsheet onto which kit can be placed. I've sewn several button-holes into the edges so that it is easy to peg out as a single large sheet.

Fabric

Materials

• 0.75m-1m x 1.5m lightweight waterproof fabric - e.g. SilNylon
• 0.5m of 2-4mm Nylon rope
• 1x Spring-loaded rope toggle / grip [like on a jacket]
• 4 Toggles
• 30cm of 15mm Velcro (optional)

Pattern

The body of the kilt consists of the entire fabric width narrowed down to be your actual waist measurement + 15cm (for ease of fitting). The remaining scraps of fabric are used to create two equilateral triangles that provide an overlapping 'seal' at the back.

Construction - Part 1: Main Garment

1. Cut the pattern as above.

2. Sew The two triangles as shown - one on either side of the seam-line shown. Sew one seam with the triangles pointing away, then fold both into their correct position and sew another seam through all three layers of fabric.

3. Put a Rolled-hem or a folded hem onto each exposed edge - the two triangles and the main body.

Construction - Part 2: Belt

1. Sew a set of 7 button-holes as shown above. One is in the centre of the kilt and there are 3 either side for a distance of 20cm in each direction.

2. Feed the cord through the centre button-hole and then weave it through the three button-holes.

3. Fit the Cordlock to the loop formed in the centre and tie a knot in the cord to prevent the cordlock from falling off

4. Sew the cord onto the fabric beyond the outermost button-hole.

Construction - Part 3: Toggles and Buttonholes

The toggles are fixed to the innermost triangle as shown. There are corresponding buttonholes on the other triangle and the main body. The idea is that the toggle will go through the main fabric and the outer triangle to create a weather-resistant join.

The top and bottom buttonholes have been reinforced with a piece of scrap cordura. Any left-over fabric will help. The buttonhole length is the same as the toggle length.

4 pieces of velcro have been added to the outer triangle and the main fabric in order that flappiness can be reduced.

1. Sew the 4 toggles into the positions shown with a loop of cord.

2. Mark the position of 4 corresponding buttonholes on the outer triangle and the main fabric. Sew one set of button-holes at a time and move the buttonhole marks if you need to in order to get good fabric tension. I'd suggest sewing the top and bottom buttonhole sets first and then the two middle sets.

3. Sew the velcro as shown.

4. Sew some buttonholes as shown on the plan - these are for pegging out with 6g or 1g Ti stakes.

Wearing and Usage

I leave mine fully assembled as a kilt and slipped in the pack. I can then just slip it on easily when it rains.

When I am camping I can either leave it assembled and peg through some of the availabe peg holes or I can unbutton it to create a large piece of fabric ideal for use in a tent porch.