Hello sewing friends! I am so happy to get to update my blog today finally! I hope you had a wonderful summer. My kids are back in school, and my day-to-day time is freeing up enough that I should be able to show my face here a bit more regularly.
For today’s post, I have a new running shorts sewing pattern – the Greenstyle 3R Shorts – to show you as well as a new top I made from a tried-and-true pattern.
The Pattern
The Greenstyle 3R Shorts pattern is an athletic shorts pattern that comes in 2 lengths. I made the shorter length for both of my shorts. The longer length is about 2 or so inches longer than this length.
The shorts have a split side seam, meaning that the front and back are not connected at the side. Rather, they are overlapped. This makes it really easy to have movement and full range of motion while you run and makes it easy to access the pocket in the undershorts. A lot of race style running shorts have the split in the side. I am so excited to have a pattern to finally sew my own!! I have been on a path returning to distance running this year, and this is exactly what my wardrobe needed.
The undershorts also come in short and long lengths. I did the short length for my undershorts as well. The pattern also includes a brief option if you do not want undershorts, but I really need that pocket to be able to store my phone so I can keep up with my podcasts while I am out on a run.
The 3R shorts waistband comes with different height options. You can pick between 2, 3, and 4 inches depending on what elastic you have on hand (or want to order) and how tall you like your waistbands. I chose the 3-inch waistband for both my shorts.
After you insert elastic into the waistband, you can sew stitching lines to really keep the elastic from shifting around. I ended up sewing 4 lines on my pink pair and 3 lines on my yellow pair. Which amount do you like better?
To do the stitching, I put one needle in my cover stitch and stretch the waistband out as far as I can while sewing in a straight line. You could also use a straight stitch on your sewing machine to have the same effect. I also use a longer stitch length when I sew these lines.
As far as fabric, I used a very lightweight athletic knit on both. I have no memory of buying either fabric though, so I possibly got it in a remnant sale or from a friend. This pattern can be made in stretch woven on the outer short and waistband as well. You would just want to make sure you are using a fabric with at least 50% 4-way stretch for your undershorts or briefs if you use a stretch woven outer fabric.
Athletic mesh, swim, lightweight athletic, stretch woven, etc. are all great choices.
The edges of the outer shorts are not hemmed. This means you will preferably use a fabric that does not curl or fray on the edges. If you do, though, it is ok; you will just need to do binding to keep them from curling or fraying.
My Top
My top pattern is one that I have found I wear over and over again and reach for all the time. It is the Greenstyle Elevate Crop Top, except I lengthened and hemmed it instead of using the cross over band. I used the Greenstyle Cami pattern as my guide on what to make the sides and hem look like. Every time I make one, I realize I need a dozen more in every color! It really is the perfect gym or running top when you don’t want to wear only a sports bra but need to stay cool.
The Elevate crop pattern has the option of a U back or a racerback, bands or binding for neckline and armholes, and lower or higher scoop necklines. I chose the racerback, bands, and lower neckline for this one.
The fabric I used for my top is Athletic Brushed Polyester (ABP) from The Styled Magnolia. The print I used is their thin black and white stripes. They are my go-to place lately for ABP for working out. It is exactly the weight and feel I love. Soft and light but not too light that it shows your underthings.
Fitness Goals
As I mentioned earlier, I am getting back into running! This is my first summer in over a decade that I have ran outside consistently. I go in the morning, usually around 8 am, and it is already so humid and hot that it has really been a test of my fitness.
I started running again in January, and I am determined not to give up. My goal is to run a half marathon in late Winter or very early Spring of 2023. My progress has definitely not been linear and has had so many ups and downs already. Getting back into running after a substantial break is not as easy as I’d imagined it would be! Send me all the tips if you have any.
Since it has been so hot outside lately, I do end up running inside on a treadmill 1-2 times per week, but the way the treadmills are set up at the gym, there is not much cold air circulation, so I still end up a sweaty mess when it is all over.
What season are you in in your fitness journey? Even if running is not your activity of choice, I think you will love these shorts. They are comfortable enough for yoga, biking, dancing, or just lounging around! You could even make just the outer shorts as a sleep short.
The pattern is on sale this week. Grab it HERE.
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.
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Disclosures
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 your support. Any and all opinions expressed are still my own.
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