Exercise Gear

Last holidays, I borrowed a GPS off my father-in-law and found my way to Glitter and Dance, to stock up on cotton lycras.  I was buying fabric for my daughter, but I was lured by the large selection of Jalie patterns stocked, so ended up buying patterns and fabric for myself as well. 

These sports bras were made using Jalie 2563.  After I made the first one, I altered the CF neckline to be quite a bit lower.  The edges are all elasticated. 

I then combined patterns 2563 and 2564 to make a racer-back tank with in-built shelf bra.  I graded from a T in the bust to a V in the waist/hips, but looking at this photo, a little more room in the hips wouldn't go astray.

I made 2 tanks with cross-over backs using Burda WOF 11-2007-123. I have made this pattern in the past, and like other reviewers, found that it runs large.  I used the Jalie pattern to help modify the Burda WOF pattern to get the right fit.  I much prefer the Burda pattern.  It has no elastic in the neck-line / armhole, which makes it both easier to sew and softer to wear.  Sometimes, elasticated swimwear and sports wear can leave me with a head-ache, but this one doesn't.

I traced off some RTW exercise shorts to get a pattern for the shorts, which are just made out of remnants.  I like them, because they have a straight leg, which is not closely fitted around the thighs.

This should all last me a few years!  The fabrics were discounted when I visited the store, and $60 dollars worth got me 2 sports bras, 3 tanks with in-built shelf bra, a child's leotard, ballet wrap and jazz shorts, with enough fabric left to make one more bra or top (I ran out of steam).  I stocked up on latex elastic, which was very reasonably priced.  I do need to upgrade my overlocker thread to be a better quality, as this is where my activewear tends to come apart.