Do I look crazy? Ok, don’t answer that question. When I first started making clothes, though, I seriously asked myself that a million times before I felt comfortable wearing my handmade clothes out in public.
First, for some reason, every time I have heard the question, “Did you make that?” with clothing, it wasn’t really a compliment. It was more of a statement showing that it looked homemade. I am now way over this and proudly smile big and say, “Yes, I did make this!”
Second, before I started sewing my own clothes, I made a lot of quilts. I still make quilts, but admittedly, not as often. The hardest part of sewing clothes, though, is to not allow my creative quilting brain to get too involved. I quickly learned that I have to keep the two hobbies separate. They are both “sewing,” but I can’t let myself get carried away, or I walk out looking like a quilted art scene, which is awesome and great if that is your personal style, but it is NOT usually mine! In fact, I wear a lot of black and white, and I love solids!
So, I can’t contain myself any longer, I have to tell you what today’s post is actually about – the latest Greenstyle tights pattern*. So, why did I start with asking if I was crazy and whether my tights are too much? Because I seriously thought exactly that when I started making these tights!! My quilting brain came out in full force, and I felt like I couldn’t hold it back.
This is the pattern for creatives – those who see endless ways to pair fabric. Don’t worry, though, if you don’t feel or even want to be so creative, you can still use a solid color or use the same fabric on all sections!!
I had so much fun absolutely ravaging my scrap bin and dreaming up combos that I made 5 pairs. I am in no way satisfied, though, and still feel the need to make so many more because they are like making a quilt, but only take a day. (Insert jumping and clapping)
The longest part of the process for me is definitely picking out fabric because I go back and forth as to how to make them tame enough that I will wear them while utilizing all the fun lines in the pattern. For all the pairs I have made so far, I have used two fabrics together in different ways. My next pair will be three fabrics. I had the bottom inserts cut out as stars on this floral/stripe pair and chickened out at the last minute!
Do you think it will be too much if I use 6 fabrics together???
The Pattern
The size range on the Tempo Tights pattern* is B – M, which covers hips measuring from 32 to 62 inches. The pattern also comes with files for PETITE, STANDARD, and TALL!!!! I am 5’2″ and need to shout it from the rooftops that I did not have to adjust for height!! I just sewed the petite file and voila!!
The pattern also comes with a special heart booty waistband option, or if you do not want a heart shape over your bottom, the pattern has the option for a regular contoured waistband. The rise options are high and ultra high, and the lengths are long or 7/8.
The Fabric
The Greenstyle Tempo Tights Pattern* is designed for fabrics with 75% 4 way stretch. I find the stretchier the fabric, the more comfortable it is to wear so I tend to reach for fabrics with 100% and even more stretch.. Another important factor for the fabric is to have great recovery. You do not want your leggings to get baggy or the waistband not to be firm enough to hold your tights in place when you move all around in them.
When choosing fabric, you will want to use fabric that is “squat proof,” which means that it is not see through when you bend over. This is only really important on the on the front and back color blocked sections and the pocket. I think the fun thing about the pattern, though, is that you can use all the mesh, see through, and not squat proof fabrics on the main panel and bottom inserts!
So, now is the time to pull out all that fabric that you bought online only to find out that it is going to show the hearts on your panties when you bend over! Use them on that large side panel!
Just make sure you use something soft on your pocket! I had the tiniest grey athletic brushed polyester scrap that I just couldn’t throw away, and it is just so cozy soft inside my pockets! BEST scrap use ever.
Topstitching
I always see the question about sewing athletics, “Do I need a coverstitch to make this?” The answer is a firm, “NO!” If you have a coverstitch, you are going to be thrilled with all the fun decorative stitching you can do, but let it be clear – I DO NOT have a coverstitch and still had a blast, so don’t worry yourself if you don’t have one.
I topstitched the seams on a few pairs of tights using my twin needle, but it’s not necessary. I only did it on the pair that is black/white combined because I didn’t want to change out thread on my serger between sections. So, I left my thread white and then topstitched the seams down so my thread color didn’t poke out any.
I am hoping my life changes, and I get a coverstitch for Christmas this year (or maybe my birthday), and I think it will give me a good reason to make 10 more pairs of these tights!
Adjustments
I did not alter the pattern. I consulted the size chart and made a size C for my waist and hips, a size D for my thighs, and a size E for my calves. It is REALLY IMPORTANT that you trust the size chart. Use your waist measurement to select the waistband size to use and grade between sizes for each size listed.
If your thighs or calves are bigger than your hips and you do not grade for them, your pants will slide down as you wear them. Essentially, the tightness in that area pulls the rest of your pants down. It’s also not comfortable so you will be really happy with yourself when you take the time to print all the sizes that you need and grade!
SO, tell me, what fabric combo are you dreaming about for your tempos?
My Top
For my top, I made a Greenstyle Green Tee*. It’s a free pattern and such a staple! I needed a basic white tee and was glad that it paired so well with each of my tights. I used fabric that is a poly blend jersey and not so stretchy. I sized up one size and lowered the V neck by 7/8 inch to account for the lack of vertical stretch. If you don’t have this pattern, you need to grab it!
Sewing the V
I used the same method to sew my V neck as I did for the V in the back of my tights. I have to admit, though, it took a few seam ripping sessions and extra chocolate on my first pair. Take your time, baste, and you won’t need all the chocolate like I did. Here is the video where I showed how I sew the V neck on the Green Tee if you want to see me in action!
Resources
- The Greenstyle Tempo Tights pattern can be found HERE*.
- The Floral and Stripes Fabric is athletic brushed polyester (ABP) from The Styled Magnolia.
- The Yellow and Black are athletic knit from my stash. I vaguely remember buying the yellow in a scrap pack from a now nonexistent fabric company.
- The black swirly lines came from Golden D’or fabric and the pink was from a scrap from Aimee Wilson.
- The swirly blue paired with lilac is an athletic knit from Blended Threads. It is the tightest pair because that fabric has the least stretch of my athletic knits and very firm recovery. I will probably only wear those for working out and not for everyday momlife.
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*Disclosures
I received this pattern for free as part of the testing process so that I could give the designer feedback about the pattern. Also, this post 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.
XO
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