So much of RTW Plus-size active wear is ill-fitting, wouldn’t you rather be wearing something bright or at least have black basics that fit properly and don’t ride up or fall down when you are exercising?
Sewing activewear is easier than you think, its really no different than sewing any knit garment except for some different fabric choices.
Fabric:
The best type of fabric is a knit with at least 20% stretch and good recovery. The recovery is important to stop them stretching out and bagging at the knees.
I’ve sewn with a few different types from cotton interlock, dance fabrics, cotton lycra and Supplex. It really is worth trying to source proper exercise fabric if you can, it will be easier to sew and a lot nicer to wear.
Melissa at Fehr trade has a great list of suppliers here;
Patterns:
I’m mentioning mostly pants pattern here as I haven’t made many activewear tops.
My favourites;
- Fehr Trade Duathlon capri/bikeshorts (goes up to szXL(45-36.5-48)
- Style Arc Becky Yoga pant (goes up to sz 30 (58-50-61)
- Style Arc Monica leggings (goes up to sz 30 (58-50-61)
There are a lot more patterns around and the best reviews all seem to be for;
- Fehr Trade goes up to szXL(45-36.5-48)
- Kwik Sew up to szXL (45-37-47)
- Style Arc goes up to sz 30 (58-50-61)
- Jalie goes up to szFF (50-44-53)
- Cake Patterns (espresso leggings) go up to 55″ waist
The Big 4 also have a lot of patterns either for activewear or that you could easily turn into activewear.
Helpful Links
Sewing Activewear;
http://www.coletterie.com/fabric-haberdashery/sewing-activewear-with-melissa-fehr
http://sewingcake.com/find-your-best-knit-construction-stitch/
I do stand up paddling and outrigger canoeing. I am very intrigued with the “swim capris” or swim tights, seen in the Athleta catalog and a few other places. Does anyone have suggestions on the type of fabric that would work best – something along the lines of swimsuit fabric is my thinking. Also what kind of elastic would hold up to saltwater?
Thanks!
I think swimsuit fabric would almost certainly work, though I don’t know how comfortable it would be? You can buy swimsuit elastic at Bramakers supply: http://www.bramakerssupply.com/site2009/cart/shopdisplaycategories.asp?id=37&cat=Elastics+and+Strapping
This is very timely for me: I’m experimenting with bike shorts at the moment, for exercising and for wearing under dresses to fight the ok chub rub. I’m thinking about using the cake patterns espresso but I’m unsure about how to finish the hem so it won’t ride up.
Hi Geri – I make my own as well to wear under dresses. I normally do a 2″ fold over band for a hem (like on the hems of the Sewaholic Renfrew top). I haven’t had problems with them riding up but I do use a 4 way stretch material which is the trick to it I think.
Melissa at Fehr trade posted about using gripper elastic on the bottoms of her shorts to keep them in place;
http://www.fehrtrade.com/gallery/866/my-teal-mixed-print-vna-top-and-bonus-booty-shorts
This is a Great idea to sew activewear. I do hate it when my shirt rides up when I’m exercising.
I’ve really been dying to try some of Melissa’s patterns but have been busy with other projects. I love that she included plus sizes in her line even as a new pattern maker.
I stumbled up So Sew Easy’s custom fit leggings worksheet. Haven’t tried it yet but it looks pretty easy. http://so-sew-easy.com/leggings-pattern-tutorial/
Very cool. I’ve wanted to sew some yoga stuff for awhile.
Thanks for this helpful post. I haven’t sewn with knits before but got myself an overlocker ( serger) so that I can have a go. Any clothing – knits or woven – that sits on my hips rather than at my waist is bound to head South and will drive me crazy. Even worse when I’m gardening, walking or horse riding! I could have a good rant about tights too. I recently found some that are fabulously huge and actually stay up. Miracle! Only available in black though, and I want emerald, rose, scarlet, periwinkle, spotty ….