10 TIPS FOR SEWING LEGGINGS & SPORTSWEAR

10 TIPS FOR SEWING LEGGINGS & SPORTSWEAR

10 Tips for Sewing Leggings, Sports & Athleisure Wear

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 1. FABRIC:  Use a quality 4-way stretch fabric, such as a Nylon Spandex Tricot Knit,  so the fabric retains its shape (no baggy knee’s cool).  Add a touch of Power Mesh Nylon Tricot Knit  

2. WICK AWAY: If you plan on working out, look for moisture wicking fabric.  Wickaway moves sweat to the outside of the fabric and quickly dries, so your sweat doesn’t soak the fabric.   

 

  3. FITTING:  Athletic wear is usually fitted, especially leggings.  Check the exact measurements on the pattern and compare to your exact measurements.  You will want to have the outfit at least 1″ smaller than your size (more than 1″ depending on your size too). This is what we call negative ease.

4. NEEDLES:  Use a stretch  in the sewing machine, serger, and coverstitch.

 5. THREAD: I use Wooly Poly or Wooly Nylon in the upper and lower loopers on the serger.

  6. SERGER STITCH: A 4-thread overlock stitch is stronger than a 3-thread overlock stitch.  I use the 4-thread for leggings, fitted workout tops, and sport bras.  I use the 3-thread overlock stitch for loose fitting knits and items that won’t have a lot of stress.

7. SEWING:  If you don’t have a serger, you an use stretch thread in the sewing machine.  Wind the bobbin slowly and use the stretch thread for both the upper thread and bobbin with a straight stitch.  Another option is using universal thread and a narrow zigzag stitch.

 

8. ELASTIC:  I use sport and braided elastic in the waistband of my leggings.   1/2″ wide when I am sewing yoga style leggings with a wide waistband.  1″ or 1-1/4″ when sewing more of a leggings style. 

 

9. HEMMING: performance fabric can be slippery and tricky to sew.  I steam press the hem and use a tailors clapper to create a creased fold.  Then when I run the fabric through the coverstitch machine  or sewing machine using a twin needle, the fabric lays nice and flat. 

 

10. ADD A TOUCH OF MESH:  Use a coordinating mesh fabric to leggings as an accent to hold your cell phone or inserted into a tank for a trendy style.

 

Learn How to Thread Your Serger!

Learn How to Thread Your Serger!

How to Set Up and Thread a Serger

Some of the most common questions I get revolve around the serger.  A serger, also called an overlock machine,  is typically used to trim and finish the raw edges on fabric, yet the serger can do SO much more!  While the Brother Brand Ambassadors are taking over the Brother Facebook and YouTube channels I am going to add a series of tutorials on the serger and coverstitch machine.  To get started, I will explain the dials, tension settiings, and show how to thread the serger. 

I hope this live video helped you get the serger dusted off!  I have additional serging videos on my YouTube channel.

Until next time, Happy Sewing!

CHECK OUT THE NEW ONLINE CLASSES ON ANGELA WOLF ACADEMY!
Linda Tunic Sewalong

Linda Tunic Sewalong

Linda Tunic Sewalong

I am so excited to launch my newest pattern THE LINDA TUNIC!  I named this pattern for my mom (Linda :)) because she loves this style top and always looks so classy!  I used this pattern in taping Season 17 on It’s Sew Easy TV, which includes video tutorials for each step; including a few fun patternhacks.   

Grab your personally signed copy of the Linda Tunic in either the Paper Version with includes paper pattern printed in full color along with a spiral bound notebook for the directions or Digital Download.  

 First thing to do is catch up on this season of It’s Sew Easy in order to get an overview of the entire sewing process.  You can watch these on my YouTube channel here:

Get Started  Lesson 1  Lesson 2  Lesson 3  Lesson 4   (lesson 4 is really lesson 6 because we added a few patternhacks in there :))

We will be sharing photo’s and exchanging sewing tutorials in the  Angela Wolf Patterns Private Facebook Group.  The sewalong is a time for asking questions in a live environment and share photos of your new top with your sewing friends ♥

Official Sewalong Schedule …
Mark Your Calendar!
July 2 Getting Started!  Fabric, Size, Neckline Alterations, and Cutting

Replay of the Facebook Live is above or visit Angela Wolf Facebook Page

July 8 Fitting & Final Cut

Join for a LIVE Q&A session talking about fit and cutting the pattern

  Here is the link to save your spot!

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July 15 Sewing Front Placket

Join for a LIVE Q&A session showing how to sew the front placket and pattern hacks!

       Here is the link to save your spot!


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July 17 Gathering and Yoke

Join on the weekly Behind the Scenes LIVE facebook show at the Angela Wolf Facebook Page at 1:30pm Eastern                Standard Time   Click here to join  (replay will be here immediately after the LIVE show for those not on Facebook 🙂

July 26 Sewing the Sleeve Tabs and Inserting Sleeves and Hemming!

Join for a LIVE Q&A session showing how to sew the front placket and pattern hacks!

       Here is the link to save your spot!


August 7 ♥ Show &Tell ♥

        Join on the weekly Behind the Scenes LIVE Facebook show at the Angela Wolf Facebook Page at 1:30pm Eastern                Standard Time   Click here to join  (replay will be here immediately after the LIVE show for those not on Facebook 🙂

 

Check back here for Live Show links and replays.  Sign up for my newsletter  and you will receive all the info right in your email box!

Can’t wait to see what you sew up!

Cheers,

Purchase the DIYStyle® Pattern and Cutting System

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Brother Brand Ambassador Retreat in St. Joseph, Michigan

Brother Brand Ambassador Retreat in St. Joseph, Michigan

This week I hosted the first ever Brother Brand Ambassdor Retreat at my new studio in St. Joseph, Michigan.  A good way for me to finish unpacking and get the studio organized after that big move!  Did I mention I am never moving again!!! If so, I will invite all of you over to take my fabric 🙂  Winn and I worked non-stop to roll out the red carpet (or should I say blue carpet) for this creative group.  We started by installing the new sign and planting flowers.  Then onto the inside to unpack my party platters and rearrange the studio to comfortably fit everyone.  A quick visit to the Dollar Store added a touch of color with fun table covers, napkins, and disposable plates.  Of course, what party would be complete without beautiful flowers!  We even added fresh flowers to the bathrooms 🙂

You might recognize some of these ladies from It’s Sew Easy TV, along with my interviews on Sewing News LIVE.  Here is a list of the Brand Ambassadors that were able to attend:

We also went live on Facebook and of course technology went awry, probably all the creative juiced flowing in the room!  I took the liberty of editing out the blue screen and adding bloopers to the end of the video below.  (Please excuse the sound variations, I removed the worst parts.)

 

The group enjoyed the Boulevard Hotel located in downtown St. Joseph, overlooking the beautiful beach on Lake Michigan.  Dinners at The Buck Burgers & Brew, RyeBelles, Schu’s Bar & Grill, Bit of Swiss, shopping, and a touch of Chocolate from Kilwins.

Two full days of learning, sharing, and inspiring creativity for future projects wouldn’t be complete without a cheers at the end of the event.  Champagne and sparkling water does the job!

One secret, wait until you see the holiday project we are all collaborating on!  Sorry, can’t share yet 😉

Enjoy the video!  We shared quite a few sewing tips and tricks.

cheers,

 

 

Birthday Week Sewing Marathon!!!

Birthday Week Sewing Marathon!!!

Episode 104 Behind the Scenes LIVE ? Houston Quilt Festival Recap, Tutorial on using the Projector for Embroidery, Announcing New Events in 2019 and Getting Ready for Original Sewing & Quilt Expo in Novi ? See you soon! xoxo Angela

Launching Birthday Week Sewing Marathon! 

 

I love this time of year, escpecially because I try to take a few hours each day to focus on sewing for myself.  Although, the week never takes on the full sewing vacation I would love to enjoy, but at least it gets me thinking about new projects and adds a few new outfits to the closet.  I have included all of the live videos that week and each has lessons that will give you ideas for customizing your clothing.  

Vlog Episode 106:  A look at some fabric I found lat week in Novi and some ideas for sewing projects this week, particularly patternhacking the Delila into a dress.  This episode will show how to alter your pattern and create a stylich dress.

Vlog Episode 107: Our usual weekly live show, Behind the Scenes shows the finally with my new delila pattern hack.  I also sho

Vlog Episode 108:  Check out this lace and bleaching kit I found in my stash while unpacking at the new studio!  I also show how I transformed a Ruched-T pattern into this fabulous stretch fleece sporty top with coverstitch or souble coverstitching.  

Vlog Epsiode 109: Sherpa fabric and a look at my custom couture crocheted trim

 

At the end of the week I took some time for a steelhead fishing trip on the St. Joseph River sporting my sherpa jacket!  I hope you had as much fun as I did this week and as you heard in the last video, I am sewing until Christmas!!! Be sure to leave your comments below and let me know what you are sewing this season.  

See you next week,

xoxo

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