After an extremely challenging start to this year and having nurtured some pretty bad habits as a means of dealing with it all, I’ve found myself a victim of mid-section blow-out and general blergh-ness (If you only click one link in this post, make it that one. Hilarious!). What better way to get back to being better than with some new exercise gear?
Unfortunately, photographing exercise gear is not exactly glamourous. Weather and minimal daylight hours have conspired against me at every opportunity for photos… I’ve been running and weight training in this outfit for nearly a month already! Count yourselves lucky it’s still mid-winter here so sweat is kept to a minimum…
Enter the Ooh La Leggings:
And they are awesome.
As with any new pattern, I started with some recon over at Pattern Review. Kbenco has written one of the most informative reviews I’ve ever read, Katherine wrote fabulously about them too and of course, Melissa has sewn so many of these I can hardly cry for lack of inspiration.
Lucky me – I exactly matched the waist and hip measurements for the Size S. So I traced it off, cut it out, then machine basted it all together to see what was going on. This pattern has zero info on the amount of stretch your fabric of choice should have – and recommends a merino knit. Hmm. The basting was to test size, fit and fabric appropriateness. The second I pulled them on – a triumphant ‘YES!!!!’. They fit me fabulously*. Long legged peoples, Rejoice! This is a pattern for you! Sadly, I will not be rejoicing:
But hey, this is a standard adjustment for me. About the only time I don’t have to take pants up is if they began life as pedal pushers. I chose to use Melissa’s way of sewing in an elastic waistband – the pattern instructions do the old-fashioned ‘make a casing and thread your elastic through’ way. Yeah – no thanks, that never looks good!
At first I made the elastic waaaaay too tight (like, bayonet tight!) so after unpicking that and making it a little bigger, I was good to go. Also, somewhere between the basting for fit and the actual sewing, I added in a turquoise band at the curved seam at the hips. Once finished, I quite literally pulled them on and went for a run.
I will absolutely be making more of these in the future! Not being in possession of a coverstitch machine or an overlocker, I was worried about the seams being either irritating or uncomfortable. I’ve been exercising in these 4+ times a week for nearly a month now (yeah, I’m that far behind documenting finished makes!), and no dramas so far – but the fabric I used is really quite lightweight, and hey – it’s not exactly like I’m training for a marathon or anything.
Completely unintentionally, I sewed the side panels in reverse, and as the black fabric was shiny on one side and matt on the other, it created an effect I rather like. Here are some daring shots up close:
I also made the Undercover Hood, the version of which you see here is my first attempt – very definitely a wearble muslin made with a double-sided wool/nylon blend (from New Zealand Merino and Fabrics). I cut the straight M as it was bang on my bust measurement, and was pleasantly surprised as how quickly it came together. But wow – its long! Usually I have to lengthen bodices, but this time I’ll be shortening it a bit and grading down to an S at the waist and hips (the S matches those bottom two measurements for me). The sleeves are also very long… I actually ended up leaving the cuffs off on this because a) The sleeve would have gone past my finger tips in that case and b) I sewed the cuffs on-grain by accident leaving them with no stretch for me to ease the sleeve into. Unpicking lightning stitch on knits is NOT fun! So I finished it with a twin needle. The result is a half-fitted, half-baggy rather long sweat top great for wearing to/from the gym and running in the chill evening air:
Silly me cut the pocket out in two pieces, rather than on the fold. Oops! Next time I’ll be taking it up the length of the waistband, to get this length:
It’s comfortable, warm and lightweight – but if I wanted to convert this from being sloppy-at-home-wear-only to something I could do the supermarket shop in, merino knit wouldn’t be my first choice. A terry-towling/sweatshirt fleece would be great for this, like what Zo made hers from. Additionally, the instructions call for the front pockets to be just top-stitched on – making it a little flimsy. I’d be tempted to at least understitch the topside first to anchor it down. Minor construction quibbles for what is an entirely practical top, really.
* bar some standard adjustments, naturally.
The Ooh La Leggings Stats:
00:30 Pattern Preparation
00:00 Toile (cutting/sewing/fitting)
00:30 Fabric Preparation (cutting/basting/interfacing)
02:20 Sewing
03:20 hours
Fabric Utilisation = 1.0m (only because I committed the cardinal sin of not laying pattern pieces out directionally)
The Undercover Hood Stats:
00:30 Pattern Preparation
02:55 Toile (cutting/sewing/fitting)
00:00 Fabric Preparation (cutting/basting/interfacing)
00:00 Sewing
03:25 hours
Fabric Utilisation = 1.8m
Stash total remains = 80.9m (Goal = 50m)
poppykettle 
Love it! How did you put the turquioise bands on the legs? I love the effect. Great work!
Thanks Mel, and also for the inspiration you gave me! The turquoise bands are just a rectangle folded over, then sewn into the seamline. I didn’t do it on the bias, but next time I will. The fabric has heaps of stretch but you can see in the last picture it struggles a bit at the peak of the curve.
A slightly narrower rectangle might go around the curve easier? Cool. I might try that for my next pair. :-)
Absolutely. I’ll definitely be going bias and slightly slimmer on the second iteration :)
so cool! loving these. I have also reached a blergh state this year. hit the wall completely, I know how you feel! the turquoise looks great :-)
Thanks Renay! You? Blergh? But hot-dayamn, you’re looking grand in your Elisalex! Seriously, that endorphin rush is the best though. I’m loving getting back into it :)
They look so fantastic! Love the leggings with the shiny/matt effect and the turquoise bands and the hoodie looks great too!
Thanks Suzy! They feel pretty fantastic to run in, and being so simple and quick to whip up, I’ve definitely got a few more planned! Second version of the hoodie is in production as I type… :)
Nice! I like the little blue bands on the leggings-I thought they were pockets! Also the colour of the sweatshirt really suits you. I made a running top out of merino recently (even though I don’t run) because I needed something with a well fitting hood to keep my ears warm XD
Actually I need to put a pocket in these so I’e got somewhere top put a key. Shoving it in my bra is definitely a temporary solution. Thanks TJ!
PS commenting isn’t working for this post when from Chrome. Just tried it on Firefox and it worked. Not sure what’s up but might be a php thing because I was getting php error messages in Chrome.
Oh really??? Could that be a theme-related thing? I’ve been using Chrome this morning without a hitch. I’ll ask about it.
I really like your leggings Melanie and the way you have reversed the fabric (whether intentionally or by mistake). Looks great and gives them a real designer look, especially with the turquoise trim. Watchout Lorna Jane!!!!! I have used the same method of adding elastic to stretch pants and skirts for years; learnt when I used Knitwit patterns in the 80s to clothe my 2 children in tracksuits with leary appliques!!The rule for the elastic measurement was measure the waist line and then subtract 8cm (which included seam allowance). Unpicking elastic once sewn on the stretch way is to be avoided at all times. It takes longer than actually making the whole garment.
Thanks Majorie! damn, straight watch out Lorna Jane! Being able to sew thing kind of clothing is really, really satisfying :) And thanks a million for that waistband rule. I’m not sure how it happened, but it certainly wasn’t fun trying to unpick it all!!! argh!
Looks awesome! Love the teal on the leggings – so cute!
Aw thanks!!! :)
love these! i’m always needing longer leggings and longer sleeved tops– sounds like these patterns would be perfect! good job on keeping up the exercise. i usually fade out over the winter months due to snow, ice, sub-freezing temps and late rising sun… makes it hard to get back into the habit come spring!
and i just went back and read that first link… too funny and true! so many things i can relate to. except i’m way too wimpy for distance running…. :P
Sounds like these two patterns were made for you! Although start saving now – they’re exxy. Luckily, I was given them as a present, and I plan to make many iterations of them to make it all worthwhile! Exercising in winter is difficult enough as it is in the fairly moderate climate I live in… I can’t even begin to imagine how horrid that would be when having to deal with those extremes!!! I’ve never even seen snow yet And glad you liked the link. I cackled over that for quite some time, hehe
never seen snow?!?! it’s glorious stuff… until you get too much!
These are fabulous! I think I would be more inspired to run if I had such a fabulous pair of leggings
Thanks Reana! Fabulous leggings are a must in order to get me to even think about running ;)
CUUUUUUUUUUTE! I love these! Well done!
Thanks Sonja!!! :P
I like how these match your eyes :) Your neighborhood looks so pretty and exotic. I would never guess it’s winter time!
Thanks Inna! hehe, yeah, I guess winter where I live is pretty tame in comparison to many places around the world. And I’m super lucky enough to be able to live in a really very pretty neighbourhood. It’s done me well for photos thus far!
Lucky girl! Shall I consider moving to Oz instead? :S
By the way, I am currently working on Papercut skirt and I confirm that their sizing is rathe unusual. According to the chart I am an S, but after some alterations my skirt turn out between an XS & XXS.
Glad to know it’s not just me on the sizing. Ah well! And yes – you should definitely come to Oz! I say that only because by the time we come to Japan… you’ll probably be back in the UK :(
These are really fantastic! I sew pretty much all my running gear these days and have been eyeing these leggings pattern for sometime. I want to sew up a sweatshirt for colder months and I think I need to give this pattern a look now. Thanks for the great review and detailed photos… there are just too few seamstresses blogging about activewear I do think!
Thanks Kathy! You’ve certainly sewn up some pretty fabulous activewear yourself! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend these leggings – they sew together super quick and are not even slightly difficult to do :)
I finally ordered the pattern this weekend! I’m pretty excited. I even sewed up a pair of running tights tonight from a My Image magazine pattern, I’ll blog this week about those. I used your lovely (great!) mistake (sewing the wrong side of the fabric for some bits) to create a subtle contrast because my fabric is matte on one side and a dull shine on the other.
Can I just say, the blue bands make you look like you’re running fast. And your hoodie is very cool too.
haha, oh hilarious. I will take that, because in truth I’m pretty darn sloooow!!! Maybe they function like racing stripes on a car? :P
Exactly.
What a brilliant way to motivate yourself to exercise!! We all know that wearing me-mades makes EVERYTHING more fun :) I’ve only heard good things about these leggings, and yours do look very professional!
Also, I was having the same problem as Tj with Chrome. I’m in Explorer now & all seems to be working fine here
My thoughts exactly. And thank you! Hmm. Now I’m home, I will endeavour to read up on it/complain to my theme administrators. Does it say anything specific??
I don’t get any message, the page just won’t load. Your main page is fine, it’s just the individual post page
They look great. The turquoise band is a really nice feature and well placed too.
Thanks Kathleen :)
These look so profesh!
Good on you for making clothes you feel good in that make you feel good when you exercise in them.
Nice work.
An that’s what it’s all a-bout *clap *clap*
hehe, thanks Jodie!
Fabulous leggings! I love the blue inserts. I have often wondered if the Papercut designer has really long arms and legs or if she is just playing it safe, for tall people? Good on you for getting out there running again!
Yeah… I’m wondering that now too. I read somewhere that’s she’s an industrial designer? Add that up with the way her instructions read – oddly – and I get the impression there’s not much of a sewing background there? I could be very wrong though. If Sarai designs colette patterns to fit her, maybe the chick behind Papercut is Amazonian!
Your leggings look super well made, I love the turquoise detailing. Following your recent post, I picked upside Supplex fabric on Saturday, now to design the perfect tights. It is already too hot up here for leggings, so three quarters will be the go I think. Really think this is the perfect excuse for a coverstitch machine! Btw, I found Papercut sizing to be weird, my Coppelia is a S and I just made the t-shirt and that needed to be an XS. Weird.
Oh nice! I’ve been eyeing off some supplex! I’ve heard the stretchy-ness of it is outta-this world. You’re certainly not the first person to share with me their sizing being wierd. Ah well! Thanks Liz!
so cute, I love the back. and what great colors on you.
Thanks Beth! :)
Nicely done!
Thanks Meg! :)
Awesome leggings, hoodie and tee shirt!
I laughed a lot at the Oatmeal comic, especially, “Do not be a baked potato”. I’d like that on a tee shirt…
I’ve been an on again off again runner my whole life (& used to be a competitive long distance runner but I have now foresworn that) and it is entirely how good running makes me feel and how *accomplished* that keeps me at it. Which is funny because I accomplish very little when running!
He’s a funny fellow, isn’t he!! hehe. That’s pretty incredible Oanh, and I can totally believe it because you look like a runner. If runners had a ‘look’ I mean. I’m impressed!
Can I say; you’re looking just fabulous in your running gear! and the leggings look so professional. I love the blue stripe!
I’ve never been brave enough to attempt technical fabrics :)
Thanks Carolyn :) They’re so much easier than their technical-ness would have us all believe!
Whatttttt, running pants?!?!?! I want!!!! Yours are awesome and it makes me so happy to know that I can make some for myself. I’m totally going to copy you, k.
Yep, running pants. And please do!! :P Thanks :)
Want To Make Some Now. Am also in training…. You did such a fabulous job.
Thanks Helen!! You should! They sew up SO quickly, it’s all over in a flash, and then you’re like “I am awesome”. hehe
looks great!! I usually find sewing workout gear totally intimidating for some reason, but this looks totally do-able!! Love the running pants… do you think they would make me run?? I suppose they could double as yoga pants, eh?
They could totally double as yoga pants. I wear these every exercise chance I get and can happily say they translate fabulously into activities other than running! Thanks Sallie :)
hey, both the leggings and the hoodie look great on you and the post is truly explicative! thank you for sharing your creations!
Thanks Elena! :)
Yay for sewing work out gear! That’s something I really want to do. Plus, I get the feeling that it will boost my motivation to actually work out, haha. Awesome clothes! The leggings look fantastic and I love the color combination. Great job!
New sweat clothes are the BEST motivator. Feeling fabulous while working out is a the best :) Thanks Anto!
Hello! I like both the leggings and hoody, I really have to try those patterns if I want to make my own sport-gear this year. Yours is truly awesome!
workout wear!? how cool! ok – so many things i love: the blue contrast, using the wrong side to make a different sheen effect, the fact that you freakin’ made running leggings!? and the pullover is awesome, too, with the two blue colors. the fabric looks totally comfy. yeah, i want both these patterns now!
wow, making your own workout clothes. I am super impressed!
These all turned out really professional looking! Seriously great job. I really like the happy accident with the side panels of the pants being reversed! And I gotta say, I actually really like the long length of the Undercover Hood on you. It’s nice and lengthening. I just made my first Undercover Hood and I like that it’s long enough for me to wear over leggings without my rear end showing. :)