So let’s get this Activewear party started! I am so excited to share my first post in the Search for My Perfect Activewear and today let’s talk about the Avery Leggings and Pinecrest Fabric’s Moisture Wicking Supplex.
The Pattern and The Leggings
Helen’s Closet recently released the Avery Leggings and I knew immediately they were a need to make for me. I am a huge fan of the Lululemon High Waisted Wunder Unders (these are the 7/8 version, I can’t find the full pant version, but you get the picture) and I felt like the Avery Leggings were so close to the style of RTW leggings I want. This is why I knew the Avery Leggings was my first pattern to sew up!
The Avery Leggings have no outer leg seam, two views (a traditional legging and a super high rise with a longer leg [what I chose!]) and a crotch gusset. The gusset I really think makes these leggings perfect for activewear. They are so similar in style and fit to my Lululemon leggings that I could barely tell a difference when I put them on. That’s a win in my book.
The pattern is quick and pretty easy, but the gusset is tricky. I made two pairs to make sure they fit before sewing up in my actual fabric and even on the second pair I managed to mess things up a few times before getting it right.
My favorite feature is the waistband. It has a waistband and waistband facing which really “holds you in.” I could have probably gotten away with making View A (regular rise + regular length) but I actually found that you can roll the high waisted version in half and have a foldover waistband. I also like the extra length because I wear mine to Pure Barre and wrap my leggings over the socks. This pattern gets 5 stars for me – the only thing I was missing was a coverstitch machine which would have made the hemming a lot easier.
Pinecrest Fabric Moisture Wicking Supplex
I was so excited when Pinecrest Fabrics reached out to me about giving trying their fabrics. As a huge Lululemon fan, my biggest hang up to sewing my own activewear was sourcing my own fabric. Their Moisture Wicking Supplex is a really nice athletic wear material that is thick enough that you feel it gives support and is completely opaque. It comes in tons of different colors, but this black leggings kinda girl couldn’t pass up her first pair being black leggings!
I wore my leggings to Pure Barre and they were so comfortable and they completely passed the workout test! Totally easy to wear and fit perfectly. I didn’t want to take them off afterwards.
The fabric was also really easy to work with mainly because of the heft of it – I used my serger to sew up the entire pair of leggings. I used Wooly Nylon thread in the loopers (thanks to Lindsey for this tip!) but other than that, sewed them just like I would any other knit.
I have a couple more projects with their fabric and I can’t wait to show you! Come back tomorrow to read about my Tie Back Tank that I paired with my leggings.
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Pinecrest Fabrics kindly sent me the fabric used in my Avery Leggings free of charge, but as always, all opinions are my own.
Thanks for the comparison to the Lulus – even though leggings are easy to make, I just didn’t want to give up on the rtw ones that have such a great fit – now I will most definitely try the Avery pattern!
I think you’ll really like the Avery pattern! While I’m not totally rid of my Lululemons yet, this was pretty much spot on in comparing the two!
I know you were sent fabric gratis, but did pinecrest provide more info about their selling/ordering process? Or have you completed it with putting items on a cart/list and them sending the quote? Thanks!
Hi! I reached out to Pine Crest to get some more information about how to purchase/where to purchase. But, I believe that this is the same fabric on Fabric.com https://www.fabric.com/buy/0539016/pine-crest-fabrics-supplex-athletic-knit-black – but I’ll reply here with more information when I have it!
Did you use a 3 thread serger stitch? Or 4? Great leggings!
Thanks Kathy! 4 threads on the serger – loopers with wooly nylon thread and regular maxilock thread in the two needles.
Your Avery Leggings…actually your whole outfit….looks great. I’ve not yet tried the extra high waist version as I’m short waisted…but…I love the idea of a fold over option. I imagine it would make me feel more like a professional ballet dancer or something.
I’ve not yet tried wooly nylon on my loopers, thanks for the tip. Did you use a twin needle on your hems? I find if I finish the leg hem with my serger, then fold under and finish with a twin needle that I get a nice finish that feels close to RTW.