Inspire Tights by Greenstyle Creations

Marnie and Lisa made up the Greenstyle Inspire Tights this week. If you're looking for workout gear, check out the review and see if this pattern might be for you!

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A strange thing happens when you are in your late 30’s and you and most of your friends have finished having babies. Suddenly you start to notice more and more photos cropping up in your facebook feed of your friends running - fun runs, triathlons and even marathons. You overhear mums at school drop off and pick up talking about cross training sessions, how much weight they can bench press and if you want to catch up with someone, chances are that you’ll catch them doing the boxing class at the local gym on Thursday night. PIlates classes, yoga and even pole dancing classes become topics of conversation.  Don’t laugh…..mark my words, it will happen to you!!   So naturally I got excited when the Greenstyle Inspire Tights were released - no longer would I have to hand over $100 for a pair of gym tights, and suddenly I could justify that huge spandex stash I’ve been building and building from the Boo! Designs webstore.

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The Greenstyle tights is the sewing pattern active women who sew have been waiting for and I love it. The pattern is packed full of options - 4 different lengths, angled insert options for the front and back, an optional back of the knee insert, an optional crotch gusset to make sure they are super comfortable, a hidden interior pocket so that you can keep your keys in a safe place and my favourite - the perfect waistband!!! It’s neither too high or too low, firm enough to hold a stubborn mummy tummy in, but not in a way that makes you feel like you are cutting off circulation somewhere because it is too tight. Basically perfect.

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I sew with knits most of the time - a friend of mine who designs patterns the other week told me that I think in knits when it comes to sewing. And she is right. Learning to sew with swimwear and activewear fabrics has been an active pursuit of mine over the past 12 months and this pattern is full of good instructions and tips to ensure sewing success with fabrics that many sewers are a little scared of using. It is a well thought out and clearly explained pattern suitable for someone who is a little apprehensive about sewing with the slippery fabrics. The pattern pieces are easy to assemble and it is layered so you only have to print your size (yay).

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The size range is great - from a waist/hip measurement of 24/32” through to 38/50”. I sewed an XS - I fell in between sizes and sized down as recommended by the pattern. I will mix my sizing for my next pair and cut the curve of the back crotch on the S to give me a little more room through the rear, but they fit great as they are now. I used some of my favourite spandex from the Boo! Designs webstore and cannot wait to get my hands on some supplex to make another pair.And ignore the expression on my face below. I was just about to get run over by a crazy 6 year old on a scooter.

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So ladies, feel inspired! Stop sewing your daughter’s wardrobe and show yourself and your body a little love. Whip up a pair of tights and get active!! I promise you too will become a Greenstyle fan girl like me! Thanks for reading along,

Marnie

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And another set of gorgeous tights by Lisa

I made contrast cuffs at the bottom by cutting plain black tights in capri length, then cutting the contrast fabric piece along the lines between capri and cropped length, and joining them together.  Printed spandex used for the cuffs and tank is from Boo! Designs

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Domi Sweats by Sofilantjes Patterns

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Hey all!  Carrie here, and I’m back to share a brand new pattern from Sofilantjes... The Domi Sweat Pants.  I’ll be honest, I could look in my file of patterns and find lots of short/pants patterns to use with knits, but this one is definitely going to be a favorite!!  

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First, any pattern that I can buy to use for my 1 year old boy and 7 year old girl at the same time, is a HUGE hit in my opinion!  Then, anything with pockets is a big hit with my kids (well the older one at least, the little guy will figure it out soon enough, haha!).  Plus with the different pocket variations and the 3 different length options, we could have 10 pairs that never look the same. 

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I always appreciate patterns that let you select layers so you only have to print the size you need, or sizes.  It makes tracing or cutting out your pattern pieces so much easier.  There’s also a super helpful guide that lets you know what pieces you need to print if you only want to make the shorts, great paper saver! 

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I chose to make the shorts with the square pockets for Reid but left out the drawstring since they aren’t supposed to be used for kids under 2.  

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For Ry, I went with the capri length, which seems to mimic a style that I’ve seen in a lot of stores this summer and fall so she was thrilled with them!  (anything that appears store bought is a plus for her).  On hers I did modify the waist just a bit and went with a yoga waistband which wasn’t in the pattern but a very simple modification.  

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We went with the round pockets on hers so the awesome teal stars could peek out on the sides. The directions were clear and easy to follow and this makes for a great pattern for beginners making their first knit bottoms to someone more advanced that can really make them pop with some fancier top stitching on the pockets. 

The fabrics I used also really makes them stand out.  On the shorts I used the Field of Crosses from Riki Prints Custom Fabrics and the solids were from Purple Seamstress.   On the capris, I went with a Galaxy print from MK Designs and teal stars from TKB Prints.

Thanks so much for letting me share such a versatile pattern!  Happy sewing!!

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