This month is all about fitness! If you read my last post, you know my sisters and I are on a fitness kick!! I am loving it! So, for this month’s edition of Work It: 12 Months, 1 Pattern, No Repeats, I had to make some workout clothes!
New workout clothes are one of the best ways for me to refresh my motivation to continue working out. They’re exciting and I want to wear them. Since they’re for working out, I am usually pretty good about not wearing them for, say, lounging around the house. At least while they are new! 😉
Now, I hear you, this is the Diane jogger pattern, what hacking would I need to do to make workout bottoms? None, if I wanted to stick with a simple jogger or short for working out. But, I played tennis when I was younger, and I love a good tennis skirt! The shorts attached and everything all comfy! My problem is many patterns or RTW tennis skirts aren’t the combo I’m looking for. The skirt is too big, or the shorts too short, or the waistband just being weird. So this was the perfect opportunity to make exactly what I wanted for a workout skirt! (I’d call it a running skirt, but after three knee surgeries, running isn’t my favorite activity.)
This was a SUPER easy hack! I cut shorts at the hemmed shorts cutting line, and used the knit waistband. For the skirt pieces, I laid my leg piece along the fold of the fabric, and drew an a-line skirt 2 inches longer than I cut the shorts. I didn’t want a super long, or super short skirt, but I also wanted the shorts to be long enough to not just bunch up and be weird with these mermaid thighs! I cut a second set of the yoke, and used that on the skirt as well, which I think is a cute addition to the skirt!
I constructed the skirt and shorts as usual. Then just matched them up and added the waistband all together. They turned out exactly as I was hoping! Not too wide of a skirt, so it doesn’t feel like a tent. But not so fitted that it rides up on this hourglass. Plus super comfy and energized! With these, I am almost ready for some circuit training!
Obviously, I need a top! The x-factor tank is super similar to my favorite RTW tank, so I figured I’d give it a try. I chose the gathered tank version, but instead of gathering, I wanted box pleats! Unfortunately, 5oo4 hasn’t updated this one with their full sizing yet, so some adjustments were needed to the skirt. (My bust and waist fall on the old size chart, it is just these hips of mine that don’t.) Instead of altering the shape of the a-line skirt (as if I was grading), I decided to just widen the entire skirt and deepen the box pleats so the top of the skirt matched the bottom of the bra.
Super simple alterations and I ADORE this tank!! I want to live in it. Seriously. Part of that is because, for the second month in a row, I use Sly Fox Fabric swim knit. This stuff is insane. Seriously. It is so comfortable and supportive. The crisp, contrast between the black and white is just so lovely, I wish I’d ordered more of this floral print so I could make a date night dress.
I used some scraps from the black swim knit of the skirt to do binding, and I think it is the perfect contrast to finish off this gorgeous tank. Sly Fox has a sale going on RIGHT NOW (ends July 21st), so snag some of the remaining swim knit while you can. It is absolutely my favorite fabric right now.
Of course, 5 Out of 4 is giving away a $10 pattern credit so you can try an amazing pattern for yourself! Enter to win and be sure to let me know what you think of this workout outfit and the entire Work It series!
Stephanie xx
Beautiful! It is so cool to be able to take a pattern and “make it your own” with all the tweaks that make it fit well and look great. I love how this series exemplifies this concept so well! And the big bonus is getting to use the fabrics we love and choose ourselves. I just hate some of the stuff I see in RTW, but the choices are so limited. When I sew, the sky is the limit. Well done, Stephanie!
Oh I love your idea of a workout skirt with shorts underneath. Looks amazing and nice and comfy and secure. Love it!
Amazing outfit! Great top and fabric also!!
I love the idea of a tennis skirt, but I’ve never made or worn one. I think you’ve just inspired me. 🙂
Great job on the outfit! The skirt is impressive. And it’s so satisfying when you can make something that you have trouble finding to fit properly in RTW.
Can you get any cuter? Oh and your outfit – over the top cute! You look sassy and ready to go do anything from errands to working out. It looks like a great cool summer outfit!
Looks great! I thought it was one of the 5oo4 skorts at first. Their Adventure Skort is my favorite summer bottom. Keep up the good work. I love your creativity!