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

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.

I have become a sucker for mommy and me sewing and am excited to get to share today’s project with you. A year or two ago I posted in a few PDF Pattern groups on Facebook asking for pattern recommendations for a top with a drop waist with a ruffle detail at the bottom. I posted a photo of my daughter wearing a store-bought one, and I wanted to replicate it for me and her. I didn’t get much response, but I did try the top that was recommended to me. I liked it, but my heart was not quite satisfied so I have been waiting for a pattern designer to come out with a pattern like I initially envisioned.

Well, Jessica from 5 out of 4 Patterns did, and I went a little crazy and made four!! I made one for my 7 year old, two for the baby, and one for myself. I think I need a dozen more now! I feel like every fabric in my stash may become a Mabel.

Options

The Mabel Tunic has the perfect high low hem that curves in the front and dips in the back. As the name suggests, the Mabel Ruffle and Cowl Tunic, features OPTIONAL ruffles and cowls. You could make a plain tunic without either from this pattern, but that is no fun. I still have not made the cowl version because I couldn’t quite squeeze a top for myself and daughter out of 2 yards if I made cowls. My next top will have the cowl. Other options: short, 3/4, or long sleeves.

How to Work this Tunic

I made a size Small and graded my waist to a XS and then graded back out for my hips to a Small. I also removed 1 inch of length to get the ruffle to start at the right place on me. I think there are two big keys to liking this tunic on you: (a) grade for every measurement that you need to. If your waist or hips fall in another size, make sure to grade for each because you need the ruffle to be swingy and not clingy, and (b) remove or add length to get the ruffle to not get stuck under your butt. You need the ruffle on the front to hit around your belly button or a little over it, and you need the ruffle in the back to hit around your upper butt area. Do you see where the tunic lands on my back? That is what you need!

Baby Sewing

I made two Mabel Tunics for my baby and cannot get over the cuteness. I made one in her measured size of 6-9 months with length added (the blue floral tunic) and a second one in the next size up (the striped rayon spandex tunic) so that she can have one to fit her a bit longer. Babies grow so fast so I want to be ready for the next growth spurt. The baby version does not include the cowl (because it might not be safe for a baby).

I find that with babies I usually grab onesies first when getting her dressed because they don’t show tummy when she is held a bunch. I also don’t gravitate towards her dresses for everyday wear because she is a crawling ninja at the moment and needs all the mobility she can get to explore. BUT, and a big but! I love a girl in dresses. I love the ruffles and the pink. It is the fun part of having girls. So, let me tell you, this tunic is the perfect compromise!

I absolutely LOVE the length of this tunic on her. She gets the frills of a dress, but can move all over the place. The tunic is longer than a top so her tummy stays covered when she is picked up so it is just as good as a onesie (maybe better because I don’t have to snap it back after diaper changes!!). Let me tell you, this girl gets picked up all the time and tries to escape diaper changes so I feel like a total winner.

Big Girl Approved

My 7 year old (who turns 8 in 2 weeks) loves bows and dresses and frills, and she loves her new Mabel tunic. I absolutely love it when I can make her something that satisfies her girly nature and is practical at the same time. You have no idea how many arguments we have had over appropriate dress in the winter. She wants to wear all the dresses and frills and is ok to freeze while doing it. Well, this winter, I am coming prepared with tops that she can wear with her jeggings. She is happy because she feels pretty, and I am happy that she is dressed for the right season.

She is the biggest help with her sister. In fact, she is playing with her right now while I write this all out!

I made my top and my 7 year old’s top out of double brushed poly from Knitpop. I played a bit of fabric tetris with it and got 2 long sleeve tops (both with a ruffle) and a pair of baby pants out of out of just 2 yards of fabric! Woohoo!

Resources

• Pattern: Women’s Mabel Ruffle and Cowl Tunic by 5 out of 4 Patterns and Girls Mabel Ruffle and Cowl Tunic by 5 out of 4. If you purchase both, you can use a coupon for $2 off!
• Mustard floral double brushed poly fabric on my top and my oldest daughters was bought from Knitpop. You can find it here.
• Striped fabric for the baby’s 9-12 month top is rayon spandex from Sincerely Rylee. I got it in a scrap box from Black Friday last year. Those are SUPER cheap and come packed.
• The Blue and Pink Floral for the baby’s 6-9 month top is a jersey from Wherehouse Fabrics Dallas.
• Pattern for Baby Pants: Juniper Joggers by Striped Swallow.
• Baby’s Headband: a strip of scrap fabric that was 3×30 inches, sewn right sides together on the length of the fabric, turned right side out through a 2 inch hole, and tied in a bow on her head!

Thanks so much for reading my blog! I hope I have inspired you. You may follow me on Instagram or 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 pattern for free as part of the testing process to give the designer feedback about the instructions and fit of the pattern. This post also may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small compensation when you purchase via my link. There is no cost to you.  Any and all opinions expressed are my own.

Here are all the photos that I just loved so much. It is so hard to pick favorites of photos of your kids!! Getting all 3 of us in one photo was challenging, but I got a few that at least one of us was cooperating for.