My Favorite Supplex Kelly Green Super G Tights

I have a bright new pair of Super G tights to show you today. I also have a GIVEAWAY so make sure to read all the way to the end!

In my last post, I talked all about fitting the Inspire tights and the new fabric line that Greenstyle is now offering (you can read it here if you missed it). For today’s post, I have a pair of Super Gs to show you and a chat about fit and adjustments as well as my opinion on Supplex.

Pattern Adjustments

The fit on the Super Gs is one of my favorites. I find that in sewing that I tend to make more tops than bottoms, simply because my body is very “typical” in my torso. I have found a few designers that I love that I can trust the measurements and sew up a pattern for my top without making any adjustments. If I do need an adjustment, I am sure to tell you all about it because (for now) my torso is “normal.”

My lower half is not typical. I am short, and all my shortness is in my legs. On top of being short, my legs are more stout and muscular for my given size. This means that I have to shorten patterns and grade. Thankfully, the Super G tights have a 26 inch inseam cutline so I do not have to shorten these at all. I normally have a 27 inch inseam in full pants, but I prefer my tights to hit right around/above my ankle so 26 is perfect.

However, I do have to grade. I make one size for my hips/butt (the XS), and I make the next size up (S) for my legs. If you are unsure whether you need to do this, there are measurements for thighs and calves on the pattern pieces (not in the size chart) so make sure to check those out when deciding which sizes you may need to print and grade between.

Fit

The fit on the Super G tights is more compressive (i.e. tighter) than the Inspires and Strides than I have made by Greenstyle. The reason I mention this is because I am really PICKY about which fabrics I will even use on the Super Gs. I do not feel comfortable in fabric with a really firm stretch and tight recovery. I notice after about an hour of wearing them that I am pretty touched out and that my pants are making my legs feel smooshed, but if I use fabric with a really nice soft hand and wonderful stretch, I can wear them ALL day long without complaint. (and yes, I wear leggings all day long…)

Confession Time

The Super G Tights pattern calls for elastic in the waist, but I must have sensory issues there because I just cannot handle elastic firm around my waist! It bothers me all day. Sooo, I just leave this part out, which many people have told me will make my tights fall down. I have noticed though, that if I make them in the right fabric and they fit well (meaning I have graded for my legs like I should have), they don’t fall down.

I think the elastic is really only needed when they are too tight somewhere in my legs (which will make them slide down to the tight area), or if I am using fabric that does not recover well (meaning the fabric doesn’t compress well when stretched).

Are you wondering now if your fit may be off somewhere in your legs? Two ways to check (1) OW my calves hurt or OW my thighs feel tight. Tell tale… or (2) Make shorts. If your shorts stay up fine but your full length leggings are slipping, you know it is because something is pulling those leggings down. But at the end of the day, if the elastic doesn’t bother you, then don’t skip it. It is extra security and will help ensure you don’t have to pick up your pants through your work out or everytime you bend over.

If you have not made shorts out of the Super G Tights pattern, you can watch my video HERE that will show you how to cut your pattern pieces.

I don’t own a coverstitch YET. So, I do not topstitch all of my seams down. Rather, I use a twin needle to topstitch down my front and back rise. I use a serger to construct all of my seams and make sure to check all my settings on my machine on a fabric scrap before I start sewing.

Remember that each fabric behaves a little differently so it is good practice to always check on scraps rather than rip stitches on your actual fabric. If I can abuse a seam really well in my hands and not pop stitches, then my leggings will make it through whatever ninja moves I put them through.

My favorite leggings pocket of all time is the pocket on the Super Gs. It is just so good! I love how the pocket is constructed and its nice and deep.

Let’s not forget this gusset. It goes from calf to calf!

Fabric

I could go on and on about the pattern, but what I am also super excited to talk to you about today is this FABRIC!!  The fabric I used for my tights is Supplex from Greenstyle and is labeled as Flight Supplex.

Supplex is a brand name for a nylon fiber that is soft to touch and smooth like a cotton fabric, but it does not crease, shrink or fade in color like cotton. Supplex fabrics are anti-abrasion, breathable, and don’t retain moisture. They hold their shape, retain color, and dry fast. They are really a superior fabric for athletic and dance wear and yet don’t have the slippery feel of a typical nylon swim type fabric. This also means they are incredibly easy and beginner friendly to sew with.

Have you ever bought Supplex, or do you own leggings made from it? Have you noticed that there is a HUGE difference in all the fabrics labeled “Supplex.” Well, just like cotton, you can have a vast difference in manufacturing and weights in a fabric. Some supplex fabrics have a firmer feel while others have more give. Some have a courser texture while others are brushed and soft.

When Angelyn first sent me this Supplex, I squealed because this was the stuff I had NEVER been able to find online. It reminds me of the fabric that my friend Aimee found locally in the fabric district (it was overstock from athletic companies). She only found bright orange and light blue and was so sweet to share some with me. She still uses it in waistbands (and so do I!) because it is just so comfortable next to your skin. I made a pair of Super Gs out of it when the pattern first released and have also made a Pacific Pullover out of this type of fabric, and I felt really bad telling my blog readers, my friend found this locally, and I can never tell you where to find it.

So, finding a source for my favorite type of Supplex (and much prettier colors!!), sure made this Texas girl who wears leggings as pants just so happy! This stuff is just so soft and has that outstanding stretch that I need to stay comfortable!! It feels like butter pulling it on and contours to me rather than constricting me!! 

Since it is lighter in weight, I can use it as a top, or I can make leggings. However, when worn as leggings, I cannot wear my typical granny panties. You will see every panty line in this fabric. For this set, I am wearing the Greenstyle No Show Brief (stay tuned, that will be on the blog tomorrow!!).

Giveaway

Now for the exciting part!! I am giving away a yard of fabric from the Greenstyle Fabric store!! You can pick any fabric you like (even though I am pretty partial to this one at the moment and can’t wait to get my hands on the deep violet color of it!!) Just leave a comment on this post to enter. You can also leave one on my IG post here or on my Facebook post in the Greenstyle group for extra entries. I will leave the giveaway open through Thursday night (8/29) and select a winner and announce it sometime Friday.

Resources

• The patterns that I used in this post were the Greenstyle Super G Tights, Tie Back Tank, and Power Sports Bra. The No Show Brief will be the next pattern released by Greenstyle. It should release tomorrow.
• You can shop the Greenstyle Fabric store HERE. The fabric used for my Super Gs is the Kelly Green Flight Supplex.

Thanks for stopping by! I would love to stay connected with you. You can find me on Instagram, or you may receive updates by liking my page on Facebook. If you want to take a look into the things that inspire me, you can follow me on Pinterest. You may also follow my blog with Bloglovin.

Disclosures

I received this fabric for free so I could sew it up and show how it would look sewn up. This post also may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation when you purchase via my link. This does not cost you anything, and I genuinely appreciate the support. Any and all opinions expressed are still my own.