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.

Third Piece of My Mini Collection

My last pieces for the collection are another pair of Ginger jeans and a Style Arc T-shirt (“Alannah”). I used a jean kit I bought from Closet Case Patterns that has black stretch denim. I figured that since the main theme for this was black and white, black jeans would be a good addition. I also wanted something colorful to add to this. I chose to use the Aloha fabric I bought that I featured in my haul video here. Here are the posts for the first two pieces in the collection (one and two).

This was an interesting process. Sewing with the idea of making a “collection” or coordinating pieces requires more thought than I had imagined. I was sure of what pieces I wanted to create, but staying on track and making sure I had the materials was key. I wasn’t overwhelmed with trying to decide what to make next since the next piece was predetermined. But, I’m so used to my free-flowing style of making whatever, that I did feel more restrained in my options.

I also realized that while I definitely need to be more selective in my choice of what I make, I love color so sticking to a plan of only a couple of colors was difficult. This won’t be the last time I do this (definitely!), but I will do it differently next time (maybe spring/summer dresses, woven tops, coordinates, etc.). The possibilities are endless after all…

I’ve written about this Style Arc T a while ago (here) but it’s one of my favorites. It’s a basic, well-fitting T-shirt that has a great length. It only takes about an hour to put together. It’s a PDF pattern and as far as I know, it’s still available.

The jeans are the Ginger jeans (skinny jeans). As stated above, I made these using a kit which included everything except the pattern. If Closet Case offers these again, I highly recommend purchasing. I did not use the rivets that came with the kit, but you get those and the jeans button(s), top stitch thread, needles, zipper and fabric. If you don’t have jeans top stitching thread, you can use a triple stitch on your machine. I did use the jeans thread this time, but I’ve had less trouble (jamming) with the triple stitch so I’ll probably go back to that. The triple stitch generally has the same look as the thicker jeans thread and is very secure.

As far as planning my next project, I’ll be taking some of the lessons learned from this process into consideration. I know I need and want more woven (non-knit) tops/blouses. There’s a list of items I could really find useful that I don’t have. I’m often looking in my closet and not finding coordinating pieces or things that I really want. So my sewing emphasis this year is in filling those gaps.

Let me know if you have sewn your own collections and how you found that experience.

#Workoutgear Challenge Outfits

For the month of February,  I’ve been working on pieces for a work out gear challenge that’s been started by the #sewmuchtalentFBgroup (any of you PeriCrafters are familiar with this). Making my own work out clothes has been on my radar for a while and I think this was the push I needed to get it done! I had made some things last year (click here) that I still wear, but I wanted more. And I had plenty of patterns to choose from.

So, I used B6295 to make these leggings.

The top, which I altered to have a hi-lo hem, is the Style Arc “Alannah” T-shirt.

For spring/summer, I made the New Look 6285 (S0547) top (it has two sets of pattern numbers) and I altered Simplicity 8268 joggers to make the shorts.

For anyone interested in the leggings, the pattern is great and easy, but I think it does run a bit large. Next time I’ll take out some of the “extra” in the pattern. I actually cut these down after putting them together. But, the side pockets are great!

I don’t think I’ve reviewed any of these patterns yet, so I’ll have to get on it soon!