A Moxi Shorts Update and The Styled Magnolia Round 24 Sewing

I have lots of news and updates for today’s post. An injury, pattern updates, set backs, pretty floral fabric, a change of seasons, and much more. Not in that order, but let’s dig in!

In 2017, the Moxi shorts pattern released and quickly became my first activewear pattern to embrace and obsess over. I haven’t really stopped sewing athletic wear ever since and have no plans to stop. Obsess may be putting it lightly. 

Now, 4 years have passed, it has a kids’ version available AND the grown up version has an expanded size chart and updated fit.

The fit of the updated Moxi pattern now angles up as it reaches the side. The previous original pattern was more straight across and shorts like on the side. The kids version follows the style of the original Moxis. You can see the different sides between mine and my daughters. See how my back piece angles and swoops up as it reaches the hem of the front while hers is a slighter, more modest sweep up?

I feel like the pattern update made the shorts cheekier on me, and I will need to fix the lower back to be more shorts-like and not brief-style on my next pair. I am really thinking it is going to be the slightest change and probably just my personal preference.

Another change from the original in the pattern update is that the pattern now includes the option of using a stretch woven waistband with elastic. It still has the original version’s knit waistband option, but I am loving the elastic waist option as well when I don’t have a matching knit or don’t want to break up the waistband from the shorts. The kids version has this option as well.

The update gave me more room in the crotch, and they are much more comfortable when I sit down. They are still a lower rise, but not as low, and I think this is why they are more comfortable. You can get a higher rise by using the knit waistband in the pattern because it has two options for rise height. The woven waistband is for 2 inch elastic.

Do you like the update? I am super happy with the new size chart for adults. It goes up to a 62 inch hip!

Here is a side-by-side visual if you are trying to decide whether you will stick with the original or want to use the update. The blue chevron is the original pattern.

How to Choose Size

Use your hip measurement to decide which size Moxi shorts to make. I made two of the updated adult Moxi’s and one for my sweet 10 year old. I am a 35 inch hip, and on the size chart, size C is 34-35 inches and size D is 35-36 inches for hip. I don’t fall to one side or the other and am squarely at 35, between the two or in both whichever way you slice it.

I made a size C for this pretty floral pair and cut the fabric where the stretch goes across the body. This floral fabric is a stretch woven from The Styled Magnolia (and on preorder through the end of this month!). 

I also made a size D in a stretch woven given to me from a friend. Here is what the size D looks like on me.

If you are between sizes and want a closer fit or are using a stretchier fabric, go with the smaller size. If you want a looser fit and more room, go with the bigger size. Here is a front view of the bigger size on me.

Do you prefer the smaller size or like the ease of the size up?

More Athletic Sewing

I made another Rally skirt with a matching Embrace bra! I adore this pattern and planned to play lots of tennis in this outfit. 

Planned is the key word. A little over a week ago, I was playing tennis and rolled my ankle. I was running to hit a ball and stepped onto a ball that I had left on the court (I was in a hurry because I had just 10 minutes left to play and did not want to stop and pick up balls quite yet).

I stepped directly on the ball, and my ankle rolled so hard. It hurt so bad, and I could barely even walk off the court! May I be the reminder to you that getting in a hurry, being impatient, and not just doing the thing you know to do doesn’t always work out in your favor. 

I saw the foot/ankle doctor the next day, and am now in a boot for three weeks, and then, we will do physical therapy, and my prayer is that I will be back to walking, running, and doing all the normal things soon. In the mean time, I still have worn my Rally skirt because it has the best undershorts! Here is me trying to laugh in the face of adversity.

And, of course, the boot. 

Here I am wearing my stylish boot with a pair of Brassie shorts and a Lille tank. I had just barely enough of this print left for these shorts when I finished my Rally skirt. 

I sewed this Embrace bra using the method of the Power Sports Bra so that I could skip binding the neckline. I love the flat front style of the Embrace because it does not show through my tighter fitting tank tops. It still has shaping with the front dart, and I also use cups!

Set Backs

I have been the most inconsistent runner for the past 9 years. I fell in love with running as a hobby when I was 21 and ran consistently week in and week out until my third child was born after turning 30. I have had so many false starts/stops ever since trying to find my rhythm. I mostly just seem to lack motivation for it when there are so many other things pulling my attention. I am now in the middle of being 39, and something happened to me in July, and I started running again. I was so slow at first but consistently stuck with it FOR A MONTH. I ran the morning before I hurt my ankle, and it actually felt good, the way I remembered it, and I was not so terribly slow.

I got out of the shower last night and realized I could barely walk on my foot. The pain is still so real. Here is my prayer that I can find my way back to my hobby. Here is also my request of you, go for that run. Take that long walk. Feel how nice it is to be pain free! And, if you have pains like I do, I pray you heal and work through them. 

Seasons Change 

For the past 3 years, I worked as an admin for Greenstyle Creations and last month I stepped down. I am working as a lawyer again, and it feels good to now sew for just fun. My kids started school in public school last week. I will no longer be homeschooling! I still have one last kid at home with me during the day – my 3 year old who plays a lot quieter than my sons did at this same age. I am able to get a lot more done during the day now! I feel all the nostalgia of changing seasons. I know God sees me and that he has good for me in this life and is constantly directing me and helping me. I seriously don’t know how I homeschooled them as long as I did!

Resources – Patterns

1. Moxi Shorts – Adults, Youth, or buy both
2. Staple tank (pink tank top worn with my moxi shorts)
3. Embrace Bra pattern (sports bra worn with my moxis and with my rally skirt)
4. Rally Skirt pattern
5. Brassie Shorts pattern
6. Lille Tank pattern (black tank top worn with my brassie shorts)

Resources – Fabric

1. Floral Moxi Short Pattern for Me is stretch woven from The Styled Magnolia. This print is in their preorder, but they also offer this same base on many different prints! This base is easy to work with and very beginning friendly. It also feels great to wear and washes well!
2. The white binding on my moxi shorts and the black binding on my daughters is the solid stretch chiffon from Joanns. It is lightweight and makes the edges not feel bulky. Here is the link for the white and here is the black.
3. Stretch chiffon from Joann is the fabric for my daughter’s Moxi shorts. It is unlike any other chiffon I have tried and is silky smooth. It is lightweight and makes excellent athletic shorts. I have several moxis made from it four years ago that still look as good as new after multiple washes and wears over the years.
4. The fabric I used for my sports bra, rally skirt, and brassier shorts is Athletic Brushed Polyester. It is also from The Styled Magnolia. This print is called ecliple and is in their current preorder and they offer lots of prints on this base as well. 

I hope I have inspired you in today’s post!  I would love to stay connected with you. You can find me on Instagram. You can subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE. 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

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