More running gear!

I had so much fun making my Cora Tights and Dolman Top (both by Jalie) that when their new patterns came out so very recently, I had to try both of these.  Aren't they just cute and flattering looking?


The top is the Pika.  It is described as a modest tank with a built in bra.  The inside looks as good as the outside when you're finished and I am sorry, but I didn't get a photo of that.



The pants are the Isabelle.  I love the styling, how the back wraps around to the front.  That color-band option is super cute as well!  I made capri length and had fun with my fabric choices.




The pants went together super easy.  There is even a little pocket in the front right where that little bit of the super colorful front waist is.

                 

Look at this colorful fabric I choose!  The print is from my stash so is the pink.  The dark navy is new from Fabric Mart.

In fact, I believe that all my fabrics were once from FM.

The bra portion of the tank snugs right up to your body.  The blue is much looser and I had so much fun playing with which fabrics would go where.

I didn't use the hem band for the bottom of the tank.  It gathers and has a blouson type effect.  I didn't like that look in the 80s and I don't think it works for me now.

You can see a bit of my sports bra under the tank.  I went for a run very shortly after these photos and I always need extra support.

See how cute the band is in the back?  I topstitched those seams just because I wanted to. 

I really love how this tank went together.  The hubby caught me trying to make sure everything was in the position it should be.

These two patterns are winners!
Thanks for reading!
Sue

Jalie, you make me swoon!

I've decided that I need to be much more consistent working out and there is nothing more motivating than making your own unique, colorful, and well-fitting workout wear!  Can I get an AMEN here people???

I was so inspired by Dawn and Two on, Two off and her recent makes that I immediately ordered the patterns and got to work!  She gushed over the Jalie top and pants and now I know why!!!  Both patterns are super cute, functional in the design, shape, and cute (oops, I already said that!) so if you've never sewn workout wear, what are YOU waiting for???

First up, the CORA tights.  Have you ever seen such cute tights?  EVER???

 

I mean that you don't have to pay at least $75 for?  These take minimal yardage--in fact both pairs were created with left overs from previous makes!  The gray is Nike Dry fit that was in very limited supply at Hancock's, and the pink from Fabric Mart.  The white and black I had in my stash and isn't that yellow/black camo combination just too much?  It was also left over from a previous project. SCORE!

Yeah, my face is red, I had to test these before I reviewed them!  I just finished a four mile run and may I say, these preformed beautifully!

I had a lot of fun trying to figure out where to place the colors based on my yardage available.  :)

Let's talk construction shall we?  I used my serger and with super stretchy knits I do believe it is a must.  Jalie however does walk you through how to successfully sew these bad boys with a regular machine.  I think I am just to spoiled having my Bernina serger to even try a garment without it.

Jalie's instructions for this are really dynamite.  Every step have a visual and a succinct text to match. I did something super, well let's just say downright dumb, silly and sewed the gusset on at the inseam instead of the crotch and couldn't for the life of me figure out why there was a weird bump and how I would attach the leg bands.  So much for having a glass of wine while sewing!!!  After taking it apart and realizing I was not thinking at all, I rolled on the floor laughing at what a ding-dong I am!  So, taking apart and reattaching the gusset where it needed to be took about 10 seconds flat--not kidding!

What I think is such a nice surprise is the little pocket on the caboose side of the pants were little running essentials hide out.

I also love how the elastic is attached--it is completely hidden in the waistband!  After sewing both layers, you attach the elastic to the seam, stretching it to fit and it is all hidden nice and cozy like.

Now for the top--isn't it just dang cute?  I love the styling, the fit is superb and it has a darn cute little back pocket at well!  

When I was tested the top today I didn't have anything rubbing, scratching, binding, biting, or really even move out of place.  My phone rested in the top's back pocket and it didn't jiggle at all--which I must say I was a little concerned it would.  

Here's a peek inside the top so you can see how it is constructed.  I think this is pure genius!

 I love both sets of my running clothes and now I look forward to wearing them!

Thanks for reading!  I can't wait to make the full length tights!

Sue

New Year, New Resolutions, New Workout Wear!

So every year I vow to get in shape and stay in shape and typically I do really well with this promise to myself up until about October and then it seems like busyness, apathy, and life just gets in the way and I backslide into old habits...including not working out!

While it's not quite that bad, it does sometimes feel the way this looks!

So to start 2015 out right I decided the best and most appropriate thing to do is make some workout out clothes I will look forward to wearing and why not?  They go together quickly and with this AMAZING fabric I choose from Fabric Mart to complete the job, I'll make more!  This is a poly lycra blend and I wish you were able to touch it, it is SO soft!  I wish I could wear something like this to work as I think I'd smile all day long!  I'd certainly look and feel comfortable.

For the jacket I used Jalie 2679, or the women's sport jacket.  I can't even tell you how long I've had this pattern and just never took the time to create it and wow--what was I waiting for?  The details are awesome, the directions good although a little sparse, and the drafting is perfect.  I LOVE this pattern and I am so pleased with my final result!  It was fun playing with the layout of the pattern pieces to determine where I would use the contrasting white.  I could have easily made this all in pink and been equally happy but I wanted some sort of contrast.   I love the zippered pockets--aren't they awesome?  You can fit quite a bit in them such as your cell phone, Kleenex, and even a pair of mittens--that is if you like to run outside like I do!  My only alterations were to make my usual 1/2" swayback adjustment.  I do feel the sleeves are long, but when you are running outside in cool weather, I prefer them to be too long so I can pull my hands into them if necessary.

The fabric behaved beautifully and it pressed well and stretched when it needed to.   Lovely stuff, really lovely!  And, who doesn't want pretty work out clothes?  I love pink and if that motivates me to work out, then so be it!

At first I was a little worried I would stick out like a sore thumb but when I was at Target recently, I noticed that they have workout clothing in pretty colors and something other than black!  Hip, hip, hooray!

For the pants, I used a Kwik Sew pattern that again, has been in my stash for quite a while.  Kwik Sew 3988 has two versions of Yoga/workout pants with a long version with a waist inset, perfect for color blocking, or a shorter version that's knee length that you can make color blocked at the waist seam and outer legs at the knees. 

Both views have a gusset at the crotch area--which makes you able to move in multiple ways--even ways you didn't know your body was capable of doing!

Everything went together well and I did struggle with which size to make.  These pants are supposed to be very close fitting (tight) and for an over 50 year old woman, I certainly didn't want them overly tight as no one wants to see that rear view, even if you are working out!  So, long story short, I cut a large, knowing they be a little loose but with only 1/4" seam allowances, I knew it would be easier to take them in as there is not much room for error if they were too small!

I can't even tell you how much I took these in!  I would say I ended up, size wise, between a small and medium rather than anywhere near a large!  And, I took them in everywhere except the length which I lengthened by about 1.5 inches and found that to be just about perfect for me.

I LOVE this fabric.  It is so soft and I am very happy with the patterns I choose to make this outfit.  I wish it would have been nice enough outside to pose out there for the photos, but the wind chill was about -30 degrees with an air temp of minus zero.  No thanks!  Not going out there if I can help it!

Thanks for reading and I so appreciate your comments.  If Fabric Mart has any of this fabric left, don't hesitate to purchase is for any knit garment.  It is lovely stuff!

Sue