Fit Capsule- 2018 Edition!

Did any of your new year’s resolutions involve fitness goals? I’ve shared about my Sewing Goals for 2018, but I have lifestyle goals as well, and one of them is to prioritize my own health more. It’s so easy to feed the kids all their colorful veggies, and make sure they get their exercise time outside, but for some reason, us moms always put ourselves last- and that really isn’t good for anyone!

Greenstyle has been hosting another Fit Capsule group over the past two months (see my previous fit capsule makes here and here), and I thought it would be a perfect time to jump in and make myself some new gear to kick of the new year right.

Fit tips

Once I got started, of course, I couldn’t stop (isn’t exercise the same way? You dread starting and then don’t want to stop when time’s up?), so I ended up with several fun combos. One of the best, and most unexpected things to come out of this process, though, was the fitting. As a petite person with short legs and a normal-ish torso, I often find both me-made and RTW leggings too long in the crotch, meaning I’m constantly pulling them up throughout the day. I took what I’ve learned from jeans fitting over the past month and applied to to my Inspire leggings pattern, shortening the crotch by 1/4″, and its made a HUGE difference!

I also find that I prefer narrower straps and lower armholes and necklines on my athletic wear, so the seams don’t chafe, so I made these modifications as well, ending up with some new favorites!

The Pants!

With this fit challnege solved, I had the confidence to cut into some of my more prized pieces of athletic fabric, like this gorgeous border print from So Sew English that I literally stalked their bundles for months to score.

Chey (assistant at SSE) may never forgive me for all the times she had to tag me, and all the whining I did every time I missed a bundle- this stuff sold out FAST! But now it’s MINE and it’s on my body, so it was worth the agony.

Anthro had the same leggings for sale, and I like mine better! I eliminated the side seam on the Inspires for this pair, because I didn’t want to break up the pretty print!

I still have one more cut of this fabric in my stash, waiting for the right pattern to come along. Any suggestions?

With my new coversittch (a BLCS 2- that thing is a DREAM) I’m also able to go over bumpy seams with perfect tension, so I took advantage and created a faux flatlock by serging my seams and then reverse coverstitching them with contrast thread.

It adds a fun accent, especially in neon colors, and has the benefit of reducing chafing, because the seams are stitched down and don’t rub. I picked up this space-dyed supplex from Cali Fabrics during my December trip there, and the bright colors give me a shot of energy whenever I see them. I’m a bit like a walking neon sign here, but I love it!

Since I was already on a roll, I also cut into some gorgeous heathered purple yoga knit from Love Adore Fabrics, again eliminating the side seam in the Inspires and using a reverse cover stitch.

This fabric had more compression than most yoga knit I’ve tried, making it the closest thing I’ve found to my Lululemon high rise wonder under tights.

In fact, the fit was so perfect in this fabric I didn’t even need to add clear elastic to the top waistband seam, which I usually do to ensure that my leggings don’t slide down during wear, or pop when I stretch them over my hips. I love the compressive effect of the high rise during a run (or just running around after kids!), and the cropped length will get me through most of our seasons.

The Tops!

Of course, I couldn’t just make pants, I had to have some tops to go with them! The Xpress tank is one of my favorite all-time tank patterns, for it’s athletic fit and super-quick turnaround time. I made my first from a super soft, thin lavender athletic knit I’ve had in my stash for years. Unfortunately I can’t remember where it came from, because if I did, I’d order several more yards- its drapey and soft and really easy to work with. I love how the back shows off a cute strappy bra (note to self, make some strappy bras).

My second top is a modified Lille tank. I narrowed the straps and deepened the front neckline to suit my preferences, choosing a circular knit from Phee fabrics.

This was my first time ordering circular knit (I know, I know, it’s like the brushed poly of the athletic world, how could I have resisted for so long?), and I found it to be almost identical to some fabrics I’ve ordered in the past from Fabric Mart and Peak Fabrics, just under a different name.

I ordered 5 colors from Phee, and was a bit surprised to find that they have slightly different weights and textures- the light pink, berry and heathered grey have good drape, and are on the thinner side, while the white is stiffer and more appropriate for leggings, in my opinion. The black is somewhere in the middle and would work well for both. I actually struggled a bit to get the circular knit to cooperate with my binding plan, so the finish is less perfect than I’d like, but during a sweaty run, no one is going to care, and I expect it to perform well on the trail.

This shoot was done during one of the coldest mornings of the year in a parking garage, with a biting cold wind that seemed to cut right through the walls. Sitting on the concrete was basically like sitting on a block of ice, and I gained a ton of respect for the Olympic ice skaters going out with only thin pieces of meshy lycra to protect them! After multiple outfit changes in the van, I decided my workout for the day had been completed- so I rewarded myself with this, because photo shoots burn calories too, right?

All in all, I’ve got to say that the make-workout-clothes-so-I-will-want-to-workout-more plan has been a success, and I’ve recently found Fitness Blender for those days when I want to work out, but just can’t get out of the house. In fact, I’ve actually got several more outfits to show you that are based on the new Greenstyle leggings pattern that’s releasing Friday, so check back soon for the rest of my Fit Capsule!

What are your best tricks for motivating yourself to workout? Have you tried Fitness Blender (no affiliate, I’m just excited about them!)

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12 Comments

  1. Sherri on March 1, 2018 at 6:12 am

    Very nice!! I’ll admit I can’t (or just won’t) wear anything but Lululemon (for tights and bras). Other tights seems so loose, so I’m curious about the ones you mention are closest to the Lulus.

    • Sarah on March 3, 2018 at 9:43 am

      These are definately NOT loose- I make my measured size and they fit me just right!

  2. Sarah on March 1, 2018 at 7:46 am

    Those floral leggings! My jaw literally dropped. I’m not super familiar with So See English but I might have to start stalking them if they carry something like that!

    • Sarah on March 3, 2018 at 9:42 am

      They have some great limited time stuff. I’m not sure if they have any more, but it’s worth checking out!

  3. Abbey on March 1, 2018 at 8:40 am

    Sarah, these are all so beautiful! Loving this workout capsule! Glad to hear that the yoga knit from Love Adore is as amazing to wear and sew as it looked!

    • Sarah on March 3, 2018 at 9:42 am

      Yes, I was really impressed with it! Thank yoU!

  4. Karen on March 1, 2018 at 2:58 pm

    What settings did you have on your BLCS2 for the leggings ? I just got one recently and am still playing around with it. I plan on doing reverse coverstitch on athletic wear also. 🙂

    • Sarah on March 3, 2018 at 9:42 am

      I used a 4 tension across the board, and a 1.8 diff feed. Hope that helps!

  5. Auschick on March 2, 2018 at 4:51 am

    These are amazing! That combo with the floral fabric… Perfection!

    • Sarah on March 3, 2018 at 9:41 am

      That is one of my favorite panels ever- I’m so happy I finally made it up!

  6. Penny Schwyn on March 3, 2018 at 7:39 am

    how did you handle reverse coverstitch in on the inseam? I guess managing the harp space is the biggest issue?

    • Sarah on March 3, 2018 at 9:39 am

      So I only managed to CS the one side of the gussest. The other side would be much more of a challenge- Angelyn did it, but I didn’t want to torture myself! And yes, harp space plays a role, but Angie used the BLCS2 which has the least harp space and she did manage, so there’s hope.

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