The new year is just around the corner and you know what that means. New Year’s resolutions, right? I’m personally not one to make a resolution just because it’s the new year, but I did make one a few months ago to really get back into fitness and take care of myself better. I’m happy to say a few months later, I am still going strong (and I’m stronger to boot!).
So I made another pair of Sewaholic Pacific Leggings and am sharing them here to give you a little inspiration to make help make your New Year’s resolution of getting healthier a little more fun. I know I have more fun at the gym when I’m wearing something me-made! Especially my Fry outfit… that always gets some laughs. 😉
A lot of my RTW activewear bottoms are solid black and they get a TON of wear. Since I’ve been wearing them for 6-9 years now, they’re starting to show some wear and tear. I wanted to make a brand-spanking-new black pair because black goes with everything. I am so glad I did because I’ve been wearing these every week since I made them!
Instead of going with the size 12 this time, I went down to a size 10. I’d like to think it’s because I’m shrinking a little, but I really just wanted to make sure the back waistband stayed in place. This fabric is crazy slippery, y’all. It’s a poly/nylon from Joann’s and although it’s like wearing an oiled baby pig, it’s opaque as heck. I was eyeing Joann’s quick-wicking fabric, but when I stretched it across my hand, I could almost see through it. Ain’t nobody needs to see what type of underwear I’m wearing underneath! So I went with this medium-weight opaque fabric instead.
I needed a 9 inch zipper for the back waistband pocket and after sifting through my stash, the only one I had was this cranberry-colored one. This was my first time making the back zipper pocket for this pattern and although it was really easy, I did end up breaking a needle!
Be careful out there, y’all!
Anyway, I wanted to try out Tasia’s faux coverstitch look on the leg and waist seams. I luckily had matching thread in my stash already. If you decide to do this look, too, just make sure you choose a decorative stitch that will stretch like the dickens! I’m happy to say there have not been any broken thread tragedies at the gym yet.
I only top-stitched the side leg seams and the waistband seam. I figured less was more and I’m loving the little pops of color here and there.
I also loooove the back pocket on these! I usually leave my purse in the lockers at the gym, so I have this tiny little lock key I have to carry around during my workouts. I love that I can just throw it in my back pocket and not worry about accidentally leaving it at the elliptical machine.
If I ever decide to run or walk outside (HAHA, outside? Yeah, right…) I can even put my smartphone in there in case of an emergency! … or if I get bored while walking, I can surf sewing blogs while exercising. 😉
Oh, and here’s a fun little tidbit of info – The shirt I’m wearing is the one I pattern-traced to make my Fry-cercise top. I love the fit of this top and I’m super chuffed that I was able to reproduce it!
I do have other activewear patterns I need to break into, but I can’t stop thinking about making more Pacific Leggings! I even bought 6 more yards of activewear fabrics so I can bust out two long versions and two shorts.
Time for some happy prancing photos!
These completely embody the joy I feel inside when I wear my me-made activewear while getting buff. Dear sewing, you amaze me sometimes. 🙂
-RED
These look great, Rachel! Who needs RTW when you can crank these out?
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Amen! Better than spending $50+ on the same quality at Lucys or LuLuLemon!
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The little pop of color is great. I’m glad you didn’t do the crotch seam though. There’s certain things and places that don’t need to pop. lol The pocket is super handy dandy. It would be great for my iPod when I ride ,y bike. I agree, wearing me-mades when working out is fun.
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Haha yeah I didn’t want a color wedgie, so I stayed away from embellishing those seams! I do like how big the pocket is – in most of my RTW activewear pants, the interior pocket is only big enough to fit a key. If I ever start working out with my phone, these will be perfect!
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Well. I think I am inspired to make some activewear… and perhaps even exercise! Nice work!
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All right! Thanks! Once you make something you love, you’ll want to wear them to work out all the time! Maybe that’s the secret to sticking to an exercise plan… just keep sewing, LOL!
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looking fabulous – very inspiring!
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Aww thanks, so much! ❤
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That’s a great top. Great job reproducing it. I think I’m going to have to go that way for a workout top that I actually like–the patterns just aren’t there right now for what I like. Your color contrasts look fantastic. The zipper on these looks sharp and so useful, and that’s a great tutorial for the faux coverstitch. There’s an Ottobre dress with cool seaming that I will totally use that for.
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Thank you! I’m glad to be able to spread the inspiration around. I think this seaming on a dress would look amazing!
I love how sewing gives you the power to create whatever your heart desires. Love a certain top? Recreate it! Hate how things fit you in RTW? Make something that fits! *Happy sigh* 🙂
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Great leggings! I love the faux-flatlock stitching that matches your zipper–it’s a very RTW touch! Someday I’ll get around to making activewear…someday. xD
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Thanks! I usually forget to add those little touches – special stitching, trims, etc – that make it a little more interesting. Glad I could steal Tasia’s idea for these, LOL!
Once you start making activewear, you can’t stop. It’s so fast and easy!
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