Workout Wear With Simplicity 8561

I have been trying to get around to making another pair of workout leggings for myself for the longest time and I finally got around to it. This time, I used Simplicity 8561 which is four variations on leggings only.

The print material is one of those fabrics made exclusively for JoAnn’s stores. It’s a four-way stretch athletic knit polyester. The solid black is a polyester knit I found in my fabric stash. This pattern does have a variation with pockets as well, but this is View B (capri length with contrast panels).

In order to get a good fit, I did make a few alterations to the pattern:

made a 1″ wedge adjustment in the back (extended the center back seam)
lengthened the center front crotch seam by 1/4″
raised the front at the top (waist) by 1″ , and
raised the crotch seam by 1/2″

I serged almost all the seams for this, but you could certainly make these using a zigzag stitch if you didn’t have a serger. the top I’m wear is made from an athletic mesh fabric I bought on fabric.com. It’s the Alannah T I made a while back (modified Style Arc pattern).

When I posted a picture of the pattern that I would be using for this, I got some responses that people love this pattern. I can understand why. It only took a couple of hours to put together and you get a great fit! Well worth giving this one a try. The next time, I will make the version with pockets. I do miss not having them but I really like the look and fit of these.

*This blog post contains affiliate links. I am a fabric.com affiliate.

Black and Red Checks – Simplicity 1538

It’s been quite a few years since the last time I made anything using a plaid fabric (I have several pieces). I bought this material for something else, but decided to use it for a shirt instead. As it turns out, I’m very happy with the results.

S1538

I don’t know if it’s easier to match the plaid when it’s small. I think it just may not be quite as noticeable if things are a bit off. Either way, I used the same process as I would for any other. I traced the main pieces so I could lay them out on a single layer of fabric. Then I used the notches to help me see if things were at least close to matching. All in all it worked out well I think.

Simplicity 1538

This Simplicity pattern 1538 is a basic shirt pattern with a nice fit. It calls for contrasting facings which add a nice touch when you use contrasting fabric.

Now, I’ll use that same process and pattern to make up some of the flannel large check fabric I have. I hope my results turn out as good as this did!

Joggers (for lounging)

Happy new year! Hard to believe it’s 2017 but here we are. I hope to make the best of it and I hope the same for you as well.

II made these Simplicity 8268 joggers as my first (two) completions of the year. I wanted something casual and comfortable to wear. I spend most of my days dressed casually (I’m sewing at home and away professionally now), but I didn’t necessarily want more sweatpants.

Simplicity Pattern 8268 Child's, Teen's and Adult's Slim Fit Knit Jogger

Honestly, this isn’t something that I would have even chosen, but it was on sale so, why not. As it turns out, I’m really glad I bought it.

While the all black is hard to see, it’s made of a ponte knit with black rib knit waist and leg cuffs. The purple is a polyester athletic fabric with the same black rib knit waist and leg cuffs.

This features deep pockets which I love. You could add a gusseted side pocket with a snap closure to the leg if you wanted as well.

This could even be made from a sparkly knit fabric for some variety and a different look! Now I’m looking in my stash (of patterns and fabric) for a top, probably long in the back, to coordinate with these.

That’s all for now.

Until next time…