When Jalie came out with the Cora Leggings, I knew I wanted to make them. I’ve been wearing the same workout pants I think since I moved to Colorado. They predate my marriage! As such, they’ve been through all of the weight fluctuation of multiple pregnancies and lived to tell the tale. Folks, if clothes make it There and Back Again that many times, it’s time to move on. Hence the need for Cora leggings.
Pink Cora leggings
A friend gave me these nylon lycras out of her stash, and I thought they’d be great to try out the pattern. Both the print and the pink are a little less stretchy than the pattern recommends, so I went overboard and added extra seam allowance to EVERY seam. In the end I only needed the extra fabric at the side seams. I serged off the extra as I went along, but the 1/4″ seams are much easier to deal with especially with all of the complicated seams. I say complicated, but the seams are really more unusual. There’s not too many backsides that look like this:
The calf of the pink leggings is stretch lace leftover from my striped tunic. Jalie’s instructions are as always fantastic for this pattern. I love that they tell you just how to colorblock everything with the 3 colors. There are times that it’s fun to sit down with colored pencils and sketch out colorblocking possibilities. But this time it was nice to have the puzzle work that colorblocking can be done for you.
The back pocket on this version doesn’t hold my phone as well as I would like. I’m guessing that has something to do with the slight lack of vertical stretch in my fabric. The instructions are pretty good, but I got stuck on the pocket. For some reason I was really having an issue with where the elastic should be. Jalie’s most helpful video on these leggings cleared up my confusion, though I think my pockets need some work on future versions.
Blue green snake print Cora leggings
The second version I made in a rayon/poly/lycra snake print leftover from this dress, a solid seafoam poly lycra, and some striped nylon swimwear lycra.
I ADORE these leggings. I never really liked the snake print in the dress. It never looked right as a dress and the colors aren’t the best next to my face. Pulling it out of the closet, I like it much better. Still, clearly, this fabric wanted to be leggings. It’s ultra stretchy and soft and has the kind of recovery that leggings require.
Road testing
I do a lot of barre and Essentrics, and I really need a lot of stretch in my leggings for all of the plies and extended legwork. These leggings perform beautifully through all of that. I can honestly say that I’ve never worn workout gear that was as comfortable as these. I’m not a runner, but I do go out for the occasional jog. I’m interested to see how these hold up on the trail.
Next up, I’ll have to either make or modify some workout tops. The couple that I have with the exception of this colorblocked top that I made are way way too big as you can see. I’m not really sure what pattern to use.
Do you have any activewear top pattern suggestions?
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Elizabeth Farr is the writer behind the Elizabeth Made This blog where she shares helpful sewing tips, step by step sewing tutorials and videos to help you explore your creativity through sewing. She has written sewing Eguides and patterns, been a featured teacher at Rebecca Page’s Sewing Summit and Jennifer Maker’s Holiday Maker Fest and her work has appeared in Seamwork and Altered Couture magazines. She also created a line of refashioned garments for SEWN Denver. When her sewing machine isn’t humming, she’s playing and teaching violin, and hanging around a good strategic board game with her husband and 4 kids.
The Agility Tank and Resolution Tank from 5 out of 4 patterns look good, though I haven’t made them, and she makes most of her patterns for maternity & nursing too.
Cool. Thanks for the suggestions.
I love your leggings, especially the snake print one with the snake print dress. I would buy that if it was in the stores :). I haven’t made active wear so have no ideas to share, but your post has inspired me!
Thanks! Some of the blues in this combo totally remind me of you!
Yay for activewear! I am totally digging that snakeskin hotness. I actually bought fabric yesterday to make more Pacific Leggings (I’ve been bitten by the activewear bug), but it’s not as sassy as your fabrics! 🙂
Thanks! I love that fabric, and I’m glad I found it’s true purpose. 🙂 The Pacific Leggings is such a cool pattern. So many possibilities with those seams. I think I’m starting to understand why runners plonk down large chunks of change for quality leggings.
Wonderful collection of leggings have shared by you..
thank you