Making Activewear with the Baby Lock Victory Serger!
11:00 PM
I'm 6 months shy of my 50th birthday. So, health and fitness (both physical and mental) are number 1 on my list of priorities. Because without good health, nothing else matters to me. In an effort to keep motivating myself to make it to the gym at least 4 times a week, I'm adding new and cute workout clothes to my closet!
As a Baby Lock Sewing Brand Ambassador, I received the Baby Lock Victory Serger. I've been challenging myself to find different ways to use it. And one of my favorite things to do is to make activewear!
I was inspired to make workout clothes from the Sew Your View Monthly Challenge on Instagram.
They used McCall's 7261. I didn't have that one in my pattern collection. But I do have McCall's 6404 (out-of-print), which is basically the same draft. I just widened the waistband.
I made this pattern a few years ago... it was prior to a full seat adjustment being one of my standard pattern adjustments. I just made the workout tights and when I tried them on -- big problem.
They were hella dipping at the center back. So, I just added a "yoke" to fill in that space between the back and the waistband.
I cut the size large. But I ended up taking about 3" off of each side so that they'd actually look like workout tights with the negative ease.
For the navy blue pair, I used Navy Perfotek Compression Jersey and Navy Stretch Polyester Power Mesh. The navy is currently out of stock, but this is one of Mood Fabrics reorderable fabrics... and they have other great colors as well. It's not rough or scratchy... it's very soft with excellent stretch. And let me tell you just how soft that Perfotek Compression Jersey is! It feels amazing against the skin.
The print is Shocking Printed Max-Dri Anti-Microbial Performance Tricot. This one is such a fun print. And the fabric is drys super quick. This would make a great swimsuit as well. Workout tights are super expensive. The good kind usually run $100+. And you're still not guaranteed to have a nice high-waisted pair that are long enough. That's the greatest benefit of being able to create your own.
And for the creating, I used a 2-Thread Flatlock Wide Stitch. This stitch is known as a "natural flatlock" and on the Baby Lock Victory Serger, it didn't require any tension adjustment. I made the wide stitch. This is done by using only one needle in the left position. The thread for this needle is passed through the top thread guide that is normally used for the upper looper (3rd from the left) and down the front and threading the needle normally.
To create a 2-thread flatlock stitch, the eye of the upper looper needs to be blocked to form this stitch. On some machines, you have to add an attachment to the looper. On the Victory, it has what's called a "subsidiary looper".
Here's a tutorial to show you how it's done:
Of course, I needed matching tops. I used Simplicity 8560 sports bra pattern. It has 3 different views and I made two of them. The is a great pattern because it's sized like a regular bra with band width and cup sizes. I cut the 34D.
On the printed top, it's sewn in its entirety on my Baby Lock Aventura II, using the stretch stitch. It's the one that looks like a lightning bolt.
For this version, I used the 2-thread flatlock stitch in a decorative way.
This one has the mesh inset with a bound finish. And Italian Navy Elastic Trimming for the band.
Not only are these pieces cute and fashionable, they're comfortable during the workout.
Nothing rides up. I highly recommend both of them if you're looking to combine high performance with high style!
.JPG)
9 comments
This was an awesome post! I've been wanting a coverstitch machine solely to dive into making my own activewear and swimwear. I am also tall and finding the pants to be long enough can be a chore. Thank you for being such a great source of information. Once I am done studying and I pass my exam in April, I will try the 2 thread stitch on my serger and make some activewear. Because of you, I'm excited to go for it.
ReplyDeleteThank you Tee Renee!
DeleteErica: thank you so much. i'm tired of spending too much money on workout clothes but intimidated by trying to figure out my serger settings for a project like this. Also, your link to tech fabrics at Mood was great. I'm 74 and if I don't go to the gym, uh oh.....
ReplyDeleteThank you Junewl!
DeleteWelcome to the light! Once you move over to 50 you will feel the physical and mental move from darkness to light. It is (at least for me) the most freeing number/age. I loved loved loved my 50s. Its a time you have maturity of mind and soul and hopefully with those new workout clothes maturity of health and fitness! Enjoy this time! I've just stepped out of my 50s and am really ready for my 60s! Your sewing style is exquisite along with your talents! happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteI’m very excited about entering my 50s! I can’t wait to see what this next decade holds for me!
DeleteGetting fit while looking fabulous! 😍😍
ReplyDeleteThank you Abbey!
DeleteI just purchased the Victory and TBH, I didn’t even realize flatlock was an option!! I’m thrilled and thank you for the great tutorial!!
ReplyDelete