Pages

Wednesday 25 March 2015

Workout Gear - Jalie 3245 & more Fehr Trade VNA and Duathlons

I'm pretty much wearing all handmade activewear these days and have made quite a few pieces in the last few months.  I still need more so I will just do a roundup every now and then.  I have to say making  workout gear is actually so much easier and cheaper than buying it (at least here in Hong Kong), not always the case when you make your own clothes.  That isn't necessarily my motivation, but it is a nice bonus!

I've made a few pairs of Fehr Trade Duathlon capris, some with minor variations on the pattern.  Also a few more VNA tops, all lengthened by around 2 inches following the instructions in the pattern to a length I prefer on me.  I've started making them as sets, I don't always wear them this way, but it does make packing the gym bag much easier if I do.  Here are a couple of example sets:

Black & Lilac Set
The VNA top is black with a tiny print of lilac stars and I used plain lilac for the neck and arm bindings.




I modified the duathlon capris to 3/4 length (somewhere between capri and legging length) and redrew the contrast strip and lower legs so that the contrast wraps around.  The lilac contrast is a lighter weight than the main legging fabric so before finishing the waistband and hem I overlaid a piece of powermesh on the inside which is held in place by zig zag topstitching on the outside.





Coral & Mesh Set
This was a fun print to use on the VNA top mixed with a plain black lower bodice.  The duathlon leggings, again 3/4 length, have a piece of powermesh inserted on the lower contrast band.  I moved the contrast band seam down so that the transparent mesh part is only below the knee.







Finally, inspired by Two On Two Off's million versions of Jalie 3245, I purchased the PDF pattern and made View C, the sleeveless tank in a very bright coral fabric.  I made size V based on my measurements which fell somewhere between a U & V and am really happy with this first version.



I will be making the sleeved versions for everyday wear too, although I will probably raise the neckline a little.  The instructions are great and it is very easy to put together.  The binding treatment is interesting, it is wrapped to the outside of the top, turned under and zig zagged in place.  Even with my slightly wobbly topstitching it makes for a nice finish.  The only thing I did differently was to shorten the hem allowance from 2cm to 1cm - the hem is quite curved and I found it difficult to turn in that much without getting pleats.  It looks really wobbly in the dressform photos above, but that's just the way it is draping, it came out alright in real life!


I'm wearing it here with a plain pair of navy leggings that I also made from the Duathlon pattern, but I eliminated the side contrast band and just added the width back to the side seams.  I know there are many plain leggings patterns out there that I could have used instead, but I know that these fit me so it was easier to just modify my existing pattern.





17 comments:

  1. I love all these! I've made the Duathlon shorts and a muslin of the VNA top . The wrap around band on the leggings looks so cool - must try that!

    ReplyDelete
  2. All of your sets look so impressive. I adore the wrap around band on your leggings too.
    Great fit on each piece too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. These all look great, very nice sets. I like the idea of the powermesh in the lower leg, very RTW.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Would it be bad if I made cute work out clothes like yours but didn't actually work out?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Really great and flattering work out gear. What fabrics are you using?

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love all your VNA tops. Super cute. And yes, I'm slightly addicted to Jalie. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. They look brilliant. Anything that encourages you to get to the gym is a good thing - I think I need to start sewing sets!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Everything looks like you mean business in the gym! I like that finish on the last Jalie top - interesting, and a very clean result. I am impressed with anyone who makes workout gear, as that is probably not on my bucket list (ditto bras and undies).

    ReplyDelete
  9. You certainly have your active wear sorted out and love the way you have curved the seam on the Duathlon.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great exercise clothes. They all look great.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ok, all of your cute outfits are making me feel highly guilty about slacking off and not hitting the gym!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great looking workout clothing. I love the fabric and color combinations. I find having fun, well fitting active wear is an added incentive to exercise. And I need all the incentives I can find.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Great workout gear! I love the purple and black leggings--those are my favorite out of all the gym gear you made.

    ReplyDelete
  14. The coral pattern is fantastic. I should make my own gym gear, but to date have been a bit lazy.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ooh! This is stylish. I have to shop for work out clothes majorly. It has been a year that I bought some good clothes for myself. It is very important to be comfortable while you are working out. So, I think it’s time I buy some clothes. Thanks for sharing this post.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Booty shorts, just the same, let them emphasize their booty. If there's anything more attractive and bold than a stunning lady with black shorts on, then I don't know what is. Pressure Booty Shorts

    ReplyDelete
  17. completing the training, you will not only have better buttocks, but will also have a lot of energy, feeling good as a consequence. Booty XXL

    ReplyDelete