When I was 19 I was convinced that leggings were a passing trend. I thought that they were completely unflattering on people with my body type and didn't make sense under skirts and dresses. Leggings were definitely NOT pants. Leggings were only acceptable when exercising or when worn by 6 year-olds.
Fast forward ten years and I own A LOT of leggings. I wear them under skirts and dresses constantly. I wear them to yoga, biking, lounging around the house, skiing...everywhere. I blame it partially on how much I hate wearing pants with proper waistbands and partially on the fact that I live in Vancouver, a city so saturated with yoga and athletic culture that leggings have become part of Vancouver "fashion." I still don't think they are flattering and I still don't think they are pants, but that doesn't seem to stop me.
A few months ago, I went to a fabric sale hosted by Our Social Fabric, a textile recycling initiative. OSF recycles fabric from local manufacturers and the movie industry that would otherwise be going to waste. The sale was an amazing deal. I think I left with two large bags stuffed full for under $40. Fabric was sold off the bolt for $2/m. Of course, being Vancouver, all of our clothing manufacturers are all athletic and outdoor wear. I came home with more technical fabric then I knew what to do with.
I decided I could always use more leggings. I followed this tutorial from One Little Minute. I found it excellent. It really walks you through the whole process from start to finish with clear explanations and diagrams.
I started with my first draft of the pattern and got these blue beauties:
Fast forward ten years and I own A LOT of leggings. I wear them under skirts and dresses constantly. I wear them to yoga, biking, lounging around the house, skiing...everywhere. I blame it partially on how much I hate wearing pants with proper waistbands and partially on the fact that I live in Vancouver, a city so saturated with yoga and athletic culture that leggings have become part of Vancouver "fashion." I still don't think they are flattering and I still don't think they are pants, but that doesn't seem to stop me.
A few months ago, I went to a fabric sale hosted by Our Social Fabric, a textile recycling initiative. OSF recycles fabric from local manufacturers and the movie industry that would otherwise be going to waste. The sale was an amazing deal. I think I left with two large bags stuffed full for under $40. Fabric was sold off the bolt for $2/m. Of course, being Vancouver, all of our clothing manufacturers are all athletic and outdoor wear. I came home with more technical fabric then I knew what to do with.
I decided I could always use more leggings. I followed this tutorial from One Little Minute. I found it excellent. It really walks you through the whole process from start to finish with clear explanations and diagrams.
I started with my first draft of the pattern and got these blue beauties:
Looks good when I stand up perfectly straight...which is never.
I was very pleased, except when I bent forward they did this:
Not so much.
I decided with no real reason to justify my decision that making the "J" shape in the front rise of the pattern deeper would solve this problem. The next day I made this olive pair:
I decided with no real reason to justify my decision that making the "J" shape in the front rise of the pattern deeper would solve this problem. The next day I made this olive pair:
Same problem, maybe less so?
I looked through this Pender Island thrift store find for advice.
On altering pants it gave alternate instructions for measuring the front rise. It instructs you to measure it in sitting instead of standing.
This gave me a measurement two inches shorter than the previous method. I altered the pattern to lower the waist line by this amount. The red lines below.
This alteration resulted in this well-fitting but obscenely bright pair.
Problem solved. Now I have a go to pattern for when I need leggings again in five years...or next week.
Anyone know how to solve visible stitches with stretch knits, short of buying a serger? I am using a zig zag stitch and seem to always get the following issue:
Anyone know how to solve visible stitches with stretch knits, short of buying a serger? I am using a zig zag stitch and seem to always get the following issue:
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