Running Skirt Tutorial with Panties By: sewingmel

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1 Running Skirt Tutorial with Panties By: sewingmel Free Patterns,Ideas and Inspirations All compliments of SewingMamas.com You will need: running skirt pattern (see below) panties pattern- Pick one that isn t low-waisted unless you want a really low-rise skirt. I also suggest that you find one with good coverage in the back. I used Ottobre 5/2009 #2. Kwik sew also has several good patterns. You could also trace your favorite pair. nylon/lycra or other activewear fabric for the skirt 100% poly knit, poly/lycra, or other activewear fabric for the panties (dryflex would be a good option) 1/2-5/8 foe (fold over elastic) for the leg openings Make your running skirt pattern: You will need: a large, old t-shirt- make sure that it is quite a few inches wider than your hips (I used one that my husband wore for painting or yard work) tracing paper or pattern paper for the pattern

2 Step 1: Cut your t-shirt right under the arms. Step 2: Pin skirt on yourself or on a dress form that is made or adjusted to your measurements. Make sure that you get a tight fit at the top of the skirt, and make sure that the top of the skirt is where the top of your panties would be. Step 3: Sew sides of tester skirt.

3 Step 4: Try on to test fit. Adjust as needed. Step 5: When your tester skirt is ready, use it to make a pattern. I folded my skirt in half with the sewn seams all on one side, and I traced it to get my pattern. Make sure to allow for a hem (if desired) and mark your seam allowance. I was planning on having a different back and front, but I decided to make the front and back the same. My tester skirt was the same size on the front and back. If needed, make a different front and back pattern according to your shape. Now, you are ready to make your running skirt!

4 How to make a running skirt: Step 1: Use your running skirt pattern to cut the front and back of your skirt. If using different pattern pieces for your front and back, make sure to mark them accordingly. For the skirt, I used some dance/swimwear fabric that I had. It is a nylon/poly/lycra fabric, and it worked well. You will want fabric with lycra, but the fabric content is up to you. Some people prefer poly and some prefer nylon. Play around with fabrics to see what works for you. Most of the commercial running skirts that I have seen are made from nylon and lycra (Spandex), but quite a few are made from poly and lycra. Some are even made from blends of all three fabrics. Step 2: (Not shown) Use 100% poly knit (or a poly/lycra knit) to cut out your panties. I used a poly interlock, and it was soft and comfy. I used the panties pattern from Ottobre 5/2009, but there are plenty of good patterns out there. Kwik sew makes several, or you could also trace your favorite pair. If you wear low-waisted undies, you will probably want to add a few inches to the top of your pattern. Make sure that the top of your panties (without waistband) sits at the same place as the top of your skirt (without waistband). **If you have not researched activewear or cloth diapering fabrics (they are really the same concept), then the term wicking may be new to you. You will want a manufactured fabric rather than a natural fabric for anything close to the skin. Natural fabric (cotton, bamboo, rayon) will absorb and hold moisture. Manufactured fibers such as polyester and nylon will wick away moisture. They will still get wet, but they will not stay as wet as natural fibers. In cooler weather, I like to run in cotton lycra fabric, but, in the summer, I prefer a fabric that wicks. There are several online sources for activewear fabric, and several people make super-wicking fabrics. These fabrics dry faster than others. I haven t seen a huge difference in the super-technical fabric and other activewear fabrics, but I am just an amateur runner.

5 Step 3: Sew up the sides of your skirt with right sides together. Sides are shown pinned here. Step 4: Sew up your undies according to your pattern. My pattern has a front, back, and double layer crotch piece. Do not finish top with elastic. We will be adding a waistband. Step 5: Add foe (fold over elastic) to leg openings using a zig-zag stitch. Determine how tight you want the opening to be because comfort is key when you are running any distance. You could also use elastic, but I find the foe to be more comfortable for me. If possible, use 1/2 foe. The 5/8 foe is almost too wide. You can order foe online.

6 Step 5 1/2: (optional) Try on panties with skirt over it to check fit. If needed, you can cut down some of the extra fabric at the top of your skirt and panties. It is always better to start with too much fabric. Step 6: Measure top of skirt. Cut a waistband that is 3 tall by the same width as the top of you skirt (plus seam allowance). This waistband looks longer than the skirt because it isn t sewn into a circle yet. Step 7: Sew waistband into a circle with right sides together.

7 Step 8: Cut a piece of 1 elastic 2-3 smaller than your waist measurement. Be careful to measure your waist exactly where the skirt will sit. I have a 4 difference between my natural waist and low waist so it is very important that I get the correct measurement. Butt the ends of your elastic together, and join them with a zig-zag stitch. Make sure that you sew across the seam several times. Step 9: Place circle of elastic into circle of waistband. Fold waistband over elastic with all seams inside the fold. Baste waistband closed.

8 Step 10: Assemble parts of skirt with panties inside of skirt (right side of panties touching wrong side of skirt). Place the waistband on the outside of the skirt. Find the quarter points on all three pieces, and match quarter points. Pin through all layers. Serge (or sew) through all layers. You should not really have to stretch the fabric to fit. If you have to stretch the panties a small amount to fit the skirt, that will be fine. All sewn:

9 Step 11: To anchor the elastic and keep it from twisting while I run, I did a triple-zig-zag stitch along the center of the waistband. Stretch the elastic as you sew. Step 12: (not shown) Hem bottom edge of skirt. Honestly, I still haven t hemmed mine, but I have worn it several times. I didn t know how short I wanted the hem, and I keep forgetting to hem it before I wear it. Finished skirt: Alterations for fit: After checking out several running skirts and shorts, I realized that there is often a slight v-shaped notch cut at the front or front and back. The waistband is typically still cut straight, but there is a slight dip in the skirt pattern along the top near the fold line (usually 1-2 wide). The skirt does really well on long stretches if I carry my water bottle. Copyright 2011 by Sewing Mamas sewingmamas.com. All rights reserved. This sew along is complimentary, and may be printed and shared freely as long as this copyright statement stays intact. No part of this e-booklet may be resold or redistributed by sites other than without permission from the author. We are not affiliated with any doll or pattern company.