It’s that time of year again!! Once a year Greenstyle Creations hosts a fitness capsule sewing challenge, and it is one of my favorite events of the year. It combines my two favorite hobbies – sewing and athleticwear. Basically, you make yourself at least 3 pieces of clothes that you can wear to be active in. The idea behind the capsule challenge is that the clothes coordinate in such a way that it makes getting dressed a bit easier. I like to use this time of year to sew items my closet has been missing that easily coordinate with as many things as possible. This year, I have sewn 6 pieces already, and as always, I have plans for many more.

If you are new to this challenge, you still have plenty of time to join in. You can read details on the Greenstyle blog here. You can also read some of the many blogposts I have written when I participated in this challenge in previous years or used the concept when sewing. ALSO, Greenstyle is offering a 25% off pattern discount during the event with code “2023PFC!” Ok, now let’s get into what I have made!

The Ultra Crop Hoodie

I started off by making 2 hoodies. It is still cold out, and I like to have an easy layer. I have lots of pullover styles in my closet and really needed more zip up options. For the pattern, I chose the Ultra Crop by Greenstyle. This was my first time to sew this pattern. My first version of the pattern included the longest length available in the pattern with the hood and slimmer sleeves.

I used matching french terry and rib knit from Greenstyle for the fabric. This is a lighter hoodie and will work well into the spring. I love having the rib match so perfectly!

For my next hoodie, I added length to the bodice and a pocket. I also used the fuller sleeve option included in the pattern.

The fabric on this one is a fleece-backed knit from The Fabric Fairy. It does not feel that much heavier than the french terry I used on my first zip up, but it is much thicker and warmer! I love how it really keeps the cold out without all the bulk. If this one is out of stock, you can find lots more of their polartec style fleece here.

To add the pocket, I used the Kangaroo pocket on the Bianca pullover. I made the pocket a little wider than just half the pocket based on the size of my hand.

As far as sewing the Ultra Crop hoodie, it was rather quick. I had made several last month using a different pattern and used the same method from that pattern. The instructions on this one were very robust because of all the options in the pattern, and it was a little overwhelming to sift through at first.

The only adjustment I made on both hoodies was to remove length from the sleeves, add width to the bottom band, and to add width to the cuffs. I felt like the cuff and bottom band were too tight. The bottom band especially made this puff and rippling situation all along the bottom of the hoodie. I cut the band to be 1:1 and barely stretched it to fit, cutting off any excess. I don’t like that band to fit tightly across my midsection. I think the bands included in the pattern would be fine if I was making the pattern as a top, but as a hoodie, it is not necessary to have the waist cinched in so much.

I also don’t like the wrist cuff too tight so that I can check my watch without much of a struggle, so I added an inch. You can see it is not as fitted here as intended.

Racerback Tops

Next, I wanted to make a dozen racerback style tank tops. I ended up fitting in two, but I hope I can make more before summer arrives. They are my favorite style to work out in. They are simple and don’t get in my way when moving around. For both of them, I used tried-and-true patterns that I reach for every day and feel like I don’t have enough colors of them.

I used the Greenstyle Lille for the purple tank I made. The only adjustment I made was to remove length from the bottom. The Lille is fitted in the bust but has a little more ease in the midsection.

The next tank I made is with the Greenstyle Elevate Crop Top. This pattern has a bottom band to finish it instead of a hem. I omitted that and lengthened it (using their cami pattern for advice on the width/length for the rest of the tank).

This one is more fitted through the midsection, mainly because of the pattern I used when adding length to it.

I used athletic brushed polyester for both tanks – the 180 gsm version. Sadly, the places I bought it from are now out of business (Zenith and Quasar and Made Whimsy). Do you have another source for this fabric?

Athletic Shorts

I made two pairs of athletic shorts with running in mind. For the first pair, I wanted compressive with a pocket for my phone when running outside.

For the pattern, I used the Greenstyle Super G tights. The pattern does not have a shorts cutline, so I have a video here on how I cut the pattern pieces to make shorts.

For fabric, I used athletic brushed polyester from The Styled Magnolia. I got this print in a scrap pack, and I LOVE it! The floral is so pretty! I see it is now in their pick-a-print section and can be added to your pre-order any month.

My next pair of shorts is for treadmill running where I don’t want a pocket for my phone, and I want something loose and airy. I always feel like those runs are the sweatiest and hardest. Having cute shorts that help keep me from getting too hot makes them a bit more fun!

I used the Balboa pattern for these. I did the 2″ elastic band option and the shortest length on the pattern because I had just a half yard to work with.

I used stretch woven fabric from The Styled Magnolia for the main fabric and a black stretch woven from The Fabric Fairy for the binding. You can find the Floral Silhouette print in The Styled Magnolia’s pick-a-print section here.

Which piece is your favorite? I am so happy I had time to make each one of them. I love the prints on the shorts, and I used them for inspiration for the other pieces and which colors to coordinate with them. Both of my tops go with each shorts, so these will be great for mix-and-match.

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.