Jalie Cora Leggings X2

Cora leggings

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

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:

@jalie_patterns #coraleggings in progress. #saturdaysewing #myfittinggroup #isew #sewcialists #activewear #imakemyownclothes

A photo posted by Elizabeth Made This (@elizabethmadethis) on

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.

Cora leggings

Blue green snake print Cora leggings

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.

Cora leggings

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.

Cora leggings

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.

Cora leggings

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?

Let’s keep the conversation going!  Check out my sewing dreams and inspiration on Pinterest, and keep up to date on my projects on Instagram and Facebook.

 

8 thoughts on “Jalie Cora Leggings X2”

  1. 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!

  2. 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! 🙂

    1. elizabethmadethis

      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.

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