For the past 6 months or so, I’ve been practicing bikram yoga weekly. I’m a Hot Yoga kinda gal – I love the heat (seriously, I could nap in that damn room), and I love how it forces me to focus on breathing and not passing out (otherwise, I’m the kind of yogi who gets BORED AS SHIT about 10 minutes in). While I can only afford to go once a week to this place, it’s really done some amazing things for my mind and spirit – not to mention my flexibility (even at one practice a week!). But this post isn’t about yoga. This post is about my new yoga PANTS.
My Ooh La Yoga Pants, if you will 😉
One thing I’ve never liked about workout wear – yoga gear or otherwise – is anything that involves wearing a shirt. Not because I want to look ~sexy~ while I’m jogging or whatev, but because I just like a breeze on my stomach (I guess). That being said, I’m also in the same camp as a lot of women who don’t necessarily want to be blaring their navel when they go outside. I don’t know why I draw the line at the navel, but it is what it is (I so wish I had the confidence to rock something midriff-baring like my girl Lola. I mean, damn girl!). Things I also hate when I’m working out: long pants, anything baggy (I know it’s supposed to be breezier, but it really just gets in the way), sleeves. This here – cropped pants with a sports bra – is my ideal workout outfit, for my ideal workouts (yoga and running). Honestly, I’d probably be most comfortable in some teensy little shorts, BUT I’m pretty sure no one wants to see asscheek when I bend over, so I compromise with a little bit of leg coverage. Y’ALL ARE WELCOME.
Anyway, my favorite workout leggings pattern is the Ooh La Leggings pattern from Papercut Patterns. They fit quite nicely, with a high waist that covers my belly button (while still allowing some sports bra goodness!). There are interesting seam lines, which mean I have way more exciting pants than anyone else in my class. I’ve made soooo many pairs of these – in both full length and various stages of cropped – and they just rule. I don’t think I’ll ever be the kind of girl who wears crazy leggings as normal out-and-about clothing, but all bets are off when it comes to exercise gear.
I have a few more pairs I’d like to show you, but let’s focus on this one specific pair first. This fabric came all the way from the UK, courtesy of Funki Fabrics. They reached out to me and asked if I’d like to try a piece of fabric, and I cheekily asked for two patterns (the second which you’ll be seeing in a future post!). So here’s the first one – galaxy-leggings!
Funki Fabrics specializes in stretch knits for performance wear – such as exercise gear, swimwear, dance costumes, etc. Think lots of polyester and LOTS of 4 way stretch. I know we all love to hate on poly (well, I love to hate on poly haha), but to be frank – poly is ideal for your sweat gear. It dries quickly and has a good recovery, which is essential if you don’t want to feel like you’re wearing a wet and droopy diaper. I’ve tried making workout gear with cotton and rayon, and polyester is for sure the way to go. The 4 way stretch is also extremely important – you need them to stretch both vertically and horizontally, or else your leggings might end up lower-waisted than you prefer (plus, they’re not very comfortable with just a 2 way stretch!).
If you’re anything like me and find the available options overwhelming (seriously – SO MANY OPTIONS), you might want to consider checking out their new sample sheet, which includes swatches of a bunch of different designs, all printed and ready to ship.
Anyway, the print quality on this stuff is GREAT. Very rich and bright colors that did not fade a bit in the wash (the verdict is still out on multiple washes, as I haven’t reached that point yet, but I will be sure to update if I notice a fade in the future). One thing to keep in mind when ordering (and cutting, for that matter!) is that the fabric is printed with a wide white border on all 4 sides, which reduces the printed width of the fabric. Also, as I mentioned with cutting – be careful that you don’t cut into the white border. I nearly had a disaster where one leg on the underside ended up being half white – whoops! Fortunately, I had enough leftovers to recut, but now my dreams of having a matching bra-and-leggings galaxy set have been shattered 😉
Like I said, this is a great pattern that doesn’t require much tweaking to yogi-fy them. I did shorten the legs for cropped pants (on this particular pair, I added a small cuff because… I dunno, I liked it?), but that’s about it. Oh yeah, I also changed the way the waistband is sewn. The instructions have you fold over and then thread the elastic through, which works, but then you have a hole to close up (not to mention, sometimes the elastic can twist, which sucks). Katie actually clued me in to an easier way to sew the elastic – you close the elastic into a circle first, then sew the elastic to the top of the pants on the wrong side (mark it into quarters and stretch to fit, as you would a knit band), then fold everything once to the inside and topstitch along the edge of the elastic. It’s much easier and you don’t get twisted elastic! For all my other pairs, I topstitched with a twin needle – but for this pair, I tried the zigzag. I like the way it looks 🙂 Like underwear, ha!
Anyway, here are some action shots so you can see how comfy these dang leggings are:
This is the closest thing you’ll get to a yoga post. Sorry! Excuse my dirty foot.
This is less of an ‘action shot’ and more of me ‘falling out of an action shot’ haha.
Anyway, here are the rest of the leggings I made! Same pattern, fabric sourced from various whereabouts~
Up until I made the galaxy leggings, these were my favorites. They’re a great 4 way stretch poly, and they are sooo comfy (and I love the colors!). Fabric was sent to me from Juli.
These are ok – I love the pattern and they are fun to wear, but the cotton percentage and lack of a good 4 way stretch (there’s some stretch vertically, but not as much as there is horizontally) mean they’re not as comfy as the others. Check out that print-matching, though! Can you even SEE the center leg seams?! Neither can I 😛 Fabric is from The Fabric Studio here in Nashville!
These are my least favorite, mostly because they are boring black (and the fabric is sort of weird). I actually topstitched all the seams on these, if you can see it. Fabric is this black solid knit from Mood Fabrics. It’s… ok. Kind of thick (aka kind of hot!) and the cotton/rayon blend means they tend to bag out. They are also strangely shiny, which I sort of like.
Here are all my yoga leggings in all their spandex-y glory.
That’s it! Love me some colorful yoga pants – especially when I MADE THEM MYSELF. I really want to try the Pneuma Tank next (either as a tank – which might solve my I-can’t-have-anything-touch-my-stomach-when-I-sweat problem, or just as a solo sport bra because THOSE STRAPS), but I acknowledge that I’ve also been saying that since it’s release and obviously haven’t gotten around to it yet. I also want to try some of the workout patterns made by Fehr Trade (and, ooh, just noticed that there’s a free pattern for an Armband Pocket! NICE!), but again, haven’t gotten around to it. So many things to make, so little time!
What about you? Do you ever sew your own workout gear? What sort of fabric do you prefer to sweat in? Do you yoga? What’s your favorite pose? Mine is Tree and Camel… ooh, and Eagle. Mostly because it’s called Eagle 😉
Disclaimer: The galaxy print was sent to me free from Funki Fabrics, in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own!
LLADYBIRD 
Nice tree, dude! And the pants aren’t half bad either:)…. That’s just to get you used to a bit of Brit sytle understatement before your trip to Blighty;). Yes, the pants are all awesome. your print matching is amazing too! I practice yoga but haven’t done power or hot for a while – still like the faster moving type anyhows. And haven’t gotten round to making exercise gear, that will happen when I run out of my sister’s old leggings which is probably never as they keep coming:). I have a couple of really amazing yoga dvds which are hot yoga based – do you want them? i don’t use them any more. Then you can practice more than once a week:). Not that it looks like you need to!
Whoa, really?? I’m actually looking for some good yoga dvds so I can practice at home – if you’re not using them, I would be more than happy to put them into rotation 🙂 That’s so awesome of you to offer!
Why not try fitness apps? Workout Trainer is pretty good, they have some yoga routines in there.
I’ve tried apps, but for whatever reason I can’t swing them. I’m more of a put-the-dvd-in-and-let-it-run-its-course kinda yogi haha 😛
Ooh la la indeed you fit thing! These are spectacular – makes me want to start stretching. My favorite yoga poses are the cobra and triangle. 🙂
Man, I can’t handle triangle! I always want to die about 10 seconds in haha! Mad props to you for being strong enough to handle that one 🙂
The Galaxy Print is great, really awsome!
Isn’t it beautiful?! I just love it 😀
Galaxy pants are awesome! Also, the amount of money you save by making them yourself instead of buying almost equally awesome pants at the store (I’m looking at you lululemon) is a huge plus in my book.
My favorite poses are camel and standing bow. I happen to,love dead body pose too 😉 and non-bikram: thread the needle, because,yes, that name!
so sad that Bikram classes are so expensive. I’m currently on a hiatus for that reason!
Haha trueee. Lululemon is RIDICULOUSLY expensive, too (although I would cut someone for a few yards of that awesome reflective scallop piping they put in some of their biking pants… ugh, so jealous of that stuff).
I hear ya on how expensive the Bikram classes are! I can only afford to go once a week, and even then, it’s twice as much as I paid for my monthly YMCA membership. But I actually go to classes now, so at least I’m getting my money’s worth haha
These are great yoga wear! I have bought fabric, but not made them yet. I really like the length of yours. My favorite poses are the seated twist and the corpse pose.
Corpse pose is definitely a good one 😉
Love the print! All the pants look great! I have yet to make any work out pants or leggings( although after reading your blog I’ve got that pattern on my wish list) But I have used McCall’s 6359 to make some great work out tops. It’s a pretty good pattern I shortened it so it wasn’t a tunic length and made the needed changes for it to work for a knit fabric and I love them I run in them all the time! The contrasting racer back piece is a nice touch to it to you can play around with color combinations.
I defiantly agree with you on poly being better for work out gear, cotton just doesn’t breath.
Ooh, I’ve never seen 6359 but it’s now on my workout wishlist! Thanks so much for the recc 😀
I was checking google analytics and I was like Im getting traffic from a Lauren post I haven’t read before? and duh cause it’s like hot off the presses… ZOMG! these pants.. forget my midriff, i just can’t stop with these galaxy pants.. I need them in my life. I used to be super obsessed with Black Milk Clothing galxy prints until I realized I don’t have 3 incomes anymore and they weren’t really wicking the sweat away when I worked out. Which is another thing to invest, I know Frau Fleur made some pants with wicking material, so you can maybe try that for tanks.. seriously I used to work out in cotton until I discovered moisture wicking polyester and it’s life changing.. I can run 6 miles and not have a puddle in my behind.
I also like to mix up the skin baring.. leggings and crop tops or shorts and longer sleeves, except its getting cold here so I’m breaking out my heatteach gear for runs.
PS – If you want something hard core that wont bore you 2 minutes in i suggest Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltown. I live at the gym, and 25 minutes into this I was like fuck you no way this is enough… and then I was sore. I never thought yoga would ever make me sore.
I’m gonna go scroll back up and admire those galaxy pants.
Oh man, where does one find wicking fabric? I need me some of that shit asap.
Also, thanks for the head’s up on the JM dvd. I definitely need to check that shit out. I like her 30 day shred dvd, so I’d probably be a fan of Yoga Meltdown (which, btw, totally rando name amirite haha)
Send me your address in an email. I went today to spandex house to get fabric for my costume but then was running late on the wicking fabric… I’ll go back after the weekend extravaganza
I love them!!! I’ve been looking at that patten for awhile, now I’m definitely getting it. I’ve started making my own workout clothes recently because A.) I hate what’s in the store and B.) I am not paying $100+ for a pair of yoga pants. I haven’t made any yoga pants yet. I have the fabrics but I’m a little nervous on the size. I’m kind of all over the place right now, but I’m just going to go for it.
Don’t be nervous! Make sure you use a fabric with a good stretch + recovery, and let the knit do the fitting work for ya 🙂 Knits ruuuule! 😀
Ooo cute! And I just attended my very first Zumba class yesterday (I am now officially obsessed and telling everyone about it!) but it turns out that I no longer have anything reasonable to work out in (aka my old yoga clothes are just gross and sad….even my sneakers are gross!) so I have been considering making some.
Gah, I LOVED Zumba! I had to cancel my gym membership (it’s enough out of the way where I never ever went, so just wasted money at that point), and I miss it. I totally understand your obsession because that shit is FUN! And totally worth some new workout clothes 😀
F*cking fantastic! I love the prints. I’ve been wanting to try Funki Farics, because I too LOVE to wear bold clothes when I’m working out (or snowboarding). I haven’t pulled the trigger yet, because I’ve been nervous about the quality.
I think the quality feels pretty good, but I understand being hesitant if you can’t feel it first (and I’m obviously on a bias here because I didn’t pay for the fabric). Maybe try a swatch and see what you think? Or holler at me in a couple months and I’ll tell ya how these leggings are holding up 🙂
I love the idea of your elastic waistband trick! Can you show more pictures or a mini-tutorial for that?
I’ll try to get some pictures next time I make a pair of leggings 🙂
I do my waistbands the same way, and have had a tutorial up for aaaaaages now! 🙂 http://www.fehrtrade.com/article/588/a-beter-elastic-waistband-finish-tutorial (It’s also the same technique I include in my patterns)
Oh my goodness! I love your leggings and you look amazing! You make me want to work out. Both for my health and so I can make these awesome leggings. I might have to go and get this Pattern.
Oddly enough, I feel the same way about workout clothes. I like them fitted, (i was a dancer in my past life) but I don’t feel comfortable showing my belly. I think this is the perfect proportion.
The covered belly/cropped bra is the best of both worlds! Feels great, looks great (well… I FEEL like I look great, to hell with everyone else hahaha), and it’s cool/easy to move around in. Definitely try it 🙂 It might even make you want to work out 🙂 (cool workout clothes always make me want to exercise… no shame! Ha!)
Those are very nice! Good fitting exercise wear is SO hard to find – and I like the waist on these, too. Great idea!
I’m going to have to use your elastic technique – it sounds like an easier way to manage. Thanks!
My fav pose? Glass in hand at end of session…;)
It’s so much easier (and less twisty), definitely give it a try 🙂
YOWZERS! Those galazy print leggings are crazy good. The seamlines really break up the pattern in an interesting way. Your poor bikram neghbors must have a hard time concentrating 😉
I think we’re all just trying to concentrate on not passing out in the hundred degree heat! Ha! 🙂
These are awesome Lauren! I am on a serious MISSION at the moment to make myself some awesome leggings for roller derby, but I am finding it SO hard to find decent lycra over here. Or rather, decent, reasonably priced lycra. Funkifabrics seem to be the only place to really do any, and they have some really cool stuff, but by the time VAT and shipping is added, it works out at over £25/m 😦 I haven’t managed to bring myself to pay that much for it yet! But then, awesome leggings…
Well, it might make it hurt a little less if you figure how much a premade cool pair of leggings costs in relation to how much you’d pay to make them (I don’t consider labor a cost in that case, I consider is a bonus because HEY THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT RIGHT THERE haha). Black Milk leggings are… what, $100 a pair? So even if you pay $50 for the fabric (which you might be able to get away with less… depending on your size and length preference)(also, I know I’m using dollars and not pounds, but I can’t do that fancy symbol on my computer sooo just roll with me here haha),that’s still less than you’d pay for the leggings. And you get to make them to your specifications! 😀 ha
I love the idea of a high waisted yoga pant. Those are some great fabrics that you used!
Thank you!
Those are totally adorable!! Really cute style of leggings pattern too, I like that they’re not just two plain legs. Um, as plain as galaxy-clad legs can be. Speaking of which omg-g-g-g I’m so excited seeing the fabric since I have a sample of a few of their galaxies coming to me, hee! I’m obsessed with galaxy prints. So don’t be surprised if I copy ya (well not on the yoga pant regard), k. 😉
omg, girl, I cannot WAIT to see what you’ve got up your sleeve with those galaxy prints!
Another yogi! I didn’t know you were a huge fan of Bikram. Being from Florida and living in the tundra, I can never get enough in Philly. Love what you’ve done with all of these!
I was gonna say – can we yoga together when I’m in Philly!? Although you have to promise you won’t judge my mediocre skills/flexibility 😛
I’m COMPLETELY IN LOVE with that fabric! LOVE.
Isn’t it beautiful?! Yay for Funki Fabrics 😀
I love leggings in crazy bright colours! I have some black boring ones, but those are to be worn with crazy bright tops. I hear on the no sleeves and no long pants too. Have you tried other legging patterns? Is this one your favorite?
This is actually the only leggings patterns I’ve sewn. I have a couple others in my stash, but every time I think about trying a new pattern, I just recut the Papercuts. I love them so much hahaha
OMG love that print!! My knees go on strike at the mention of the word yoga, but I could see some leggings in this.
You should make some! Galaxy leggings for everyone 😀
Oh I want to steal these!!! My new year’s goal is to start going to yoga and then maybe a silks class. I was hoping to start running again and I tried but it seems I messed up my knees for good when I ran that 5K last year, so I’ve only done some biking. I’ve never sewn my own sport clothing, but it is mostly because my running shorts are still going strong and I’m not about to knit my own long johns for winter backpacking lol!
I want to try a silks class! Just haven’t mustered up the courage/$$ to go find one 🙂 You’ll have to let me know how it is!
I would love to make an athletic outfit (or two). The yoga pants look exceptionally comfy; nice job!!
They are super comfy! Love them 😀
Thanks for the heads up on 4 way stretch fabric here in BNA — I am going to get some from Fabric Studio – I tried making a pair of gym/bike shorts – but the fabric wasn’t stretchy enough. Sorry the Watkins Knit fabric sewing class didn’t make – I was looking forward to it. Maybe something next semester. Holly — in Sylvan Park
Yeah, I’m bummed the class didn’t make either (and also a little relieved- I had way too much on my plate at that point, so at least I have some free time now haha). Definitely check out the knits at the Fabric Studio- Nancy has a great selection right now 🙂 The Ikat knit I have is really great, but it’s not suuuper stretchy in 4 directions, fyi (however, if you make gym or bike shorts out of it, WE WILL SORTA MATCH and that would be awesome haha).
Those are some bright, awesome pants! I don’t know why but I always assumed the polyester needed to be treated to have wicking capabilities for optimal work out coolness. I seriously need to make myself some running leggings now! I had just posted yesterday about patterns I wanted for running gear, had never thought to just use a legging pattern and the right material. You and your smart ideas ROCK! 😀
Thank you!
I’ve been trying to find a decent yoga pant pattern AND fabric sources.
I’m a huge yoga fan, dancer and eagle are my two favs. Love me some Baron Baptiste; his DVDs are really good. 20min power one and a full hour version. Sweaty goodness w/out the insane heat of Bikram.
Keep rocking it!
Thanks for the DVD recc! I will definitely check them out 😀
Too funny, I just made a workout top (based off of an existing top that I couldnt afford) and I googled other workout patterns (came across Fehr trade). I havent purchased anything from them, but I think I will soon, I wasnt sure if anyone had sewn with them before?
I think a fair number of people have made the Fehr Trade patterns, check patternreview.com!
Thanks I will check it out, I always forget about that website when I need it the most. I’m an instructor and can’t afford to keep buying tops in the mass amounts that I would like. Plus I like to be different and be able to say ‘I made it!.
I galaxy print is spectacular, i LOVE it 🙂
You make my plain black workout leggings seem really boring! I need to get my hands in some workout gear sewing ASAP! I recently got involved with yoga and I’m loving it! I’m practising from home so there is no real need to look put together, but I’d love to sew some nice gear even if I’m the only one who sees it. I work out in a sports bra and leggings also. Current favorite pose is the tree and the half moon pose.
The endless possibilities of items of clothing to make!
I take ballet classes and do yoga at home, and I need me some fancy leggings! There really is a lack of nice workout wear that isn’t OTT expensive. It’s such a great idea to have a go at making some, and the details in the Papercut Patterns make such a special garment.
I’m inspired! That’s bras, pants and workout gear to try so far, haha.
Oh yeah, and my favourite pose would be dancer!
Holy crap! These are awesome! I’ve been wanting to make my own workout gear for awhile now, but wasn’t sure about where to source suitable fabric. I’d really like to get some high performance, wicking fabric – because I SWEAT! Like, some of the sweatiest dudes I know are pretty impressed with my ability to drench myself in like two seconds flat. Charming, I know! But I also love the idea of making yoga pants out of totally outrageous prints, because you end up staring at your legs A LOT! Good to have something that can keep you amused! And this pattern is totally perfect for some yoga pants! I used to do yoga at home with the yogadownload.com classes because I couldn’t afford to go to a real class, but I felt like it was way too easy for me to cheat! Favorite poses are downward dog (boring, I know, but I just always feel so ‘aahhhh’ when I go there!) half moon, pigeon, and anything upside down, like shoulder stands or headstands!
Yeah, home yoga doesn’t appeal to me as much (especially the apps) because it’s WAY too easy to cheat! At least in the class, you know you’re (somewhat) accountable. I like to think that no one is looking at me because we’re too busy focusing on ourselves, but, someone would definitely notice if I just left the room or went to sleep or something! haha! And I hear ya on sweating. I’m a sweaty gal myself. It freaking sucks haha.
After seeing and reading this post I really want to make these pants! I run a lot and do yoga and yes, workout stuff is super expensive! I have found Fabletics by Kate Hudson has some great reasonably priced stuff. I prefer pants at my hips rather than navel though, any tips on making the this a mid or low rise waist? Or a good custom pattern making/adjusting book? Great at following a pattern, still learning how to adjust stuff. Definitely stalking Paper Cut Patterns, I’d never heard of them and they have some really cute stuff like that Milano Cape…though I really don’t need another cape…
Hm, I’m not entirely sure because I don’t normally lower/raise a rise that drastically. I’m thinking you can just remove the height on the flat pattern and that will work, since these are stretch leggings. However, it might make the seaming look weird, so definitely try a test garment first!
Your leggings are awesome! I’m getting to the point where I need some new yoga gear, and definitely can’t afford to buy any right now. For making my own, I’m thinking of starting with some Papercut Anima pants in the cropped length. My favorite yoga pants fit like leggings up top, but flare out a little below the knee. That doesn’t really describe the anima pant, but since I own the pattern, that’s where I’ll start. As long as they don’t move and reveal anything I think they’ll work out fine. I think my all-time favorite yoga pose is fish pose. It makes me feel an openness and lightness in my shoulders, chest and throat that I haven’t been able to access any other way. Although if I’m harboring a lot of emotional stress, that throat-opening is a sure-fire way to break down in tears in a room full of people. Cathartic and also embarrassing.
Such cute yoga pant and in such fun colors! I have to do some yoga at home after running because my hips get tight, so downward dog and pigeon are my favorites to get the legs and hips stretched out. Well, actually corpse pose is my most favorite. Laying down with my eyes closed?? Yes please!
Fan of the sewing, but am de-lurking to warn you about something really serious. Please (for your sake) research Kundalini, and decide if this is really something you want in your life. For your mental, spiritual and physical health please always research long term impacts of all forms of exercise.
Also, check searchable N.Y.Times articles regarding yoga injuries. Please research.
Thank you so much for your comment. I’m taking your advice and researching 🙂
Hey, I just started going to bikram classes a month ago after practicing yoga at home for a few years! My groupon is about to run out and I have to decide what to do… I’ve come to kind of really like it but it’s so expensive 😦 I can take or leave the heat and I enjoy most of the poses (standing bow! tree! NOT standing head to knee!), but my favorite thing about it is being part of a room full of people who are all trying their best. The studio I go to, at least, has people of all ages and body types, and there is no sense of competition or comparison. Everyone is focused on their own session, but we’re all in it together.
Anyway, your clothes are fantastic, and you look so comfortable! I’m still figuring out what I like to wear to these things, but I’m kind of shocked that suddenly I’m considering being in public in a sports bra… I’m just caring less and less about what I look like or how people perceive me at these classes, no one there would look at me and think that I could be a bit thinner or whatever. This is probably a healthy shift in thought…
I started with a Groupon too! Had to figure out a way to make the normal cost work with my budget, because I had fallen so in love with the classes (those studios were soo smart to offer Groupons, yeah?). What you’ve described about your studio is exactly why I love mine so much – there are so many people of different ages, body types and skill levels, and everyone is focusing on themselves and the overall vibe in the room is so lovely and peaceful. I love it!
This Pattern looks amazing. My thighs touch so I wear out leggings and yoga pants quickly this would be easy to double reinforce that center panel. Love! Gorgeous fabrics too. Thanks for sharing!
P.S. I just started yoga two months ago at home sparked by an Instagram challenge. Its totally rocked my world actually. In case you are interested in checking that out! The ultimate in yoga diversity! 😀
I need galaxy fabric in my life. Fact. Also, thank you for showing the waist of these leggings! I hate wearing any sort of legged garment that sits below the belly button and I didn’t realise these had a higher rise.
I love these and they look amazing.
An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a friend who was doing a little research on this.
And he in fact ordered me breakfast simply because I found
it for him… lol. So let me reword this….
Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to discuss this matter
here on your site.