Hey there, party dudes! Hope you all had a great weekend! Today I have something a little bit different to show you- exercise wear! Before we get started, I’ll just warn you that you’re about to see some pasty white limbs… it’s been a long winter!
When Katie at Papercut Patterns asked me to test her new collection, I was really excited. I guess I’m a bit of a shallow person, but I hate working out in old t-shirts. I’m already red and sweaty- I definitely don’t need frumpy, disgusting clothes to make me look even worse! But I’m also a bit of a cheapskate and don’t want to pay premium prices for things I’ll only wear to run in. So this collection really addresses a wardrobe gap for me. (Sidenote: Melissa at Fehr Trade has a nice collection of workout clothing, too, if that’s something you’re interested in, but I don’t like to wear super fitted clothes for running. But if you do, check out her patterns!)
Seems like a regular tank top…
The Pneuma Tank is a sports bra with attached tank panels. You can make it as just a sports bra, too, but I like having more coverage when I run. From the front it looks like a regular tank, but there are openings at the side and back that show the bra underneath. The pattern is available as a paper pattern or as a PDF, which is nice, since Papercut Patterns were previously only offered as hard copies.
… but what’s that peeping out?
I used a nylon-spandex blend from Spandex House for the bra, which gives nice compression. It takes just a tiny amount to cut out the two pattern pieces, about 18″ x 18″! You could make a matching bra from leftover scraps any time you make a pair of leggings! I love that it uses so little fabric!
Why, it’s neon leopard!!!
The pattern calls for bra strapping instead of fabric straps, which is a cute touch. I chose this fun pink color from Pacific Trimming and used less than two yards of it. The jersey I used is thicker than what I should have used, but I wanted to use up something from my stash (it’s some sort of double knit from Mood Fabrics, leftover from my very first knit garment, this Renfrew top!) and I had just enough to make this. It’s a little bit bunchy right under the straps where it’s gathered and stitched to the bra- using a regular-weight jersey would solve this problem.
Sewing this is really straightforward. I stitched it up on my sewing machine, using a stretch needle for the bra portion and a regular ballpoint needle for the tank part. The tank openings are just turned and stitched, and the bra openings are finished with elastic. It’s nice to be able to decide how tightly you want the bra to fit around your rib cage so you can really customize the fit. Mine is supportive enough that I can run in it, but I have a small chest, so may not work for running if you need more support. This would also be nice in a softer fabric like a cotton-lycra for lower-impact activities like yoga. You could even sew this up as a swimsuit top!
It’s a little tricky to get into the top without twisting up the straps, but that’s easily sorted out. One thing I’ll be keeping an eye on is the stretch recovery of the bra strapping. I can imagine it stretching out over time, which could be annoying, but the straps are the last things you add to the tank, so you could go back and shorten them easily if you needed to.
I’m excited to have some fun with my workout wardrobe, so I’d like to make a few more of these! Since I used stash fabric for the tank, I only used about $6 worth of fabric and elastic for this top, a far cry from what stores like lululemon charge! I’m going to keep an eye out for nice stretch mesh- wouldn’t that be breezy for sticky summer running?
Love the curved hem!
Now all I need is motivation to run! Last year I really enjoyed running, but this year I’m struggling to force myself to do it. I’m having a really hard time getting up early enough to run and shower before the dogs need to go out. Any tips or tricks from my running readers? Or are there other kinds of exercise that you prefer?
This is a stretch, right?
*Bonus points to Kat for pointing out that the names of the pieces in this collection (Anima, Soma, and Pneuma) mean Mind, Body, and Soul. Deeeeeeeefinitely did not know that. Can we just blame my ignorance on the American public education system?
Ginger Makes... 
So so cute! Love the fabrics that you chose. I have been really eyeing the bathing suits in this collection. Running motivation is a tough one, I have slacked off myself a lot this past year. A few of us are going to try to run at lunch at work today, I will let you know how that goes…
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That sounds like fun! I need a running group!
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I got very excited about the release of this pattern… in PDF form too! Good to see it made up in some fun colours and prints… home sewn sports wear should be fun in my opinion.
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I agree- it’s nice to sew things you can’t buy!
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I was really happy to see this pattern. I’d just wear it as regular ole tank!
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You could totally make that work! I need to dig through my jersey stash and see what I have that might be suitable.
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Could this be sewn on a regular machine, or does it need to be sewn on a surger?
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I sewed it all on my regular sewing machine. 🙂
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awesome – did you use stretch thread or just a zigzag?
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Just a zigzag stitch and regular poly thread.
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have you thought about making this in a moisture wicking polyester fabric? im obessed now with making sure all of my workout clothes are moisture wicking.. i was sold when my leggings weren’t in a puddle of my own sweat.
PS – where do you run? We can totally be running buddies, except my routes are usually in brooklyn or the treadmill if i’m in the city
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Where do you find it? I’d love to try that out!
I run in Queens, so that’s probably no good, but it would be fun! 🙂
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This would be an awesome summer top
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Totally! I bet there’s a way to make this a little dressier!
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This is gorgeous, I love the demure grey, with the flashes of crazy print underneath. I’ve never had an inclination to make sportswear, but now I really want to make one of these. Can’t help you with running motivation I’m afraid, I’m really not a runner
but whatever exercise you do, you’ll look awesome!
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I’ve never been interested in making my own sportswear, either, but this pattern was just so cute!
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I LOVE this so much! It makes me so happy that you made it up with the leopard ❤ I was going to make my sample almost exactly the same, but at the last minute decided to keep it neutral so that people could project their own ideas onto it without getting clouded with mine. You'll stop traffic while running 🙂
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I’ve never even thought of that, but it makes total sense- I bet it’s hard for people to think of how they would make up a pattern if there’s a really strong aesthetic in the sample! This is why you’re good at your job!
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Love this! It looks both comfy and unique. What a great design and great use of materials and colors!
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It’s such a fun design, isn’t it? I love how easy it is to mix and match fabrics!
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I love the neon against the grey! I saw the new Papercut collection, and while I don’t think that’s the sort of sports bra that will help me in high impact activities (I need a little more um, restraint haha) it does look awesome on you! And I think I need the Soma swimsuit and the Anima pants this summer for sure 🙂
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The swimsuit is on my to-do list… then I just need to get a beach day on the books! I never, ever, ever go to the beach. Do you?
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I grew up at the beach so it’s something I always felt like I do… but since living here, I’ve been like three times. It’s tough to just plan a beach day for some reason!
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Oh I think I need this pattern in my life asap! I’m always on the lookout for new tops for wearing to yoga and this looks perfect. Love your version with the pop of neon and animal print! So cute
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This would be perfect for yoga! I really need to start doing that…
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I love this version! This looks so good for yogaclass! Your neon animal print inspired me…
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I’m so glad I could provide some inspiration! 🙂 I really need to start doing yoga. 🙂
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It’s great for sewing peeps. Opens your chests again so you don’t look as if you’re the hunchback of the Notre Dame.
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Rawwwwww leopard! Liking it
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Loving this Sonja! Especially the flash of neon leopard print, it’s the perfect top for using a flash of funk fabric. I liked the look of this pattern instantly and now I REALLY like it!
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Make one! It’s quick and easy! 😀
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I took up running a couple of months ago and I love, love, love this top! I like how it’s bright and fun as well as functional and okay to work out in.
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Working on this one right now. Have this awesome purple slub pattern from Jo-Ann’s but not supportive enough for me for running, will be great for yoga and stuff low-impact for me. May try playing around with power mesh for the next one.
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Ooh, power mesh is a great idea! I’ll have to try that for running- I bet it would be more supportive!!!
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I got the idea from Fehr Trade’s blog. Ended up doing 2 layers of my pretty purple slub 87/13 with a layer of leftover 93/7 sandwiched in between. Should be good for yoga and Zumba.
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Lovely! If you’re interested, I wrote a step by step tutorial on how to add bra cups and a lining to this pattern. Available here:
http://petitejosette.blogspot.ca/2015/11/tutorial-adding-cups-and-lining-to.html
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