I’ve got sewing patterns for yoga clothes on the brain. That’s because I’m participating in a month-long yoga challenge. (If you’re interested, it’sΒ Yoga Revolution, hosted by Yoga with Adriene, and it’s good stuff! Join the fun!)
Every day this year, I’ve hit the yoga mat, and every day, I’ve thought about yoga sewing patterns. So it’s clear that sewing activewear is in my future! (Keep reading to find out what I’ll be sewing!)
In predictable Type A fashion, I’ve researched and written a mini guide for sewing patterns for yoga clothes. Following is a side-by-side comparison of four yoga sewing patterns:
- McCall’s M7446 leggings, jacket, and top (print)
- Papercut Patterns Pneuma top and Ooh La La leggings (print or PDF)
- Fehr Trade Knot-Maste top and bottoms (PDF)
- Seamwork Rio top and Aires leggings (PDF)
RELATED:Β How Do I Choose a Knit Fabric?
Some deep thoughts about yoga and sewing practices
A new year is a great time to start new habits. Yoga (obviously) is a healthy habit for your body (and brain). Sewing is a healthy habit for your brain and imagination.
But sewing and yoga share more in common. Both are practices that deepen over time.
You’ll never master sewing completely. There always will be something else to learn.
It’s the same with yoga. There’s always another pose to explore, or another way to explore a pose you’ve always practiced.
With both practices, you have to take a deep breath, smile, and do your best.
I’ve tried to bring the balance of mental toughness and ease of movement from my yoga practice to my sewing practice. Yoga has helped me be kinder to myself and more aware of my actions as I sew, and that’s made me a better sewist.
McCall’s M7446
OK, enough head stuff! Let’s dive into the patterns, my fellow sewing yogis! Check out their features, and decide which sewing patterns for yoga clothes best match your stitching skills and yogi style! Namaste!
Description
This pattern includes three garments β a swingy jacket, a racerback tank in two lengths, and contrasting-panel leggings (with a pocket!) in two lengths.
Fabric requirements
Make the jacket in a moderate stretch knit: cotton or French terry. The tank and leggings call for two-way stretch athletic knits.
Notions beyond thread
The jacket needs a separating zipper. The tank needs 3/8-inch elastic. (Turns out the leggings don’t need elastic, yay.)
Tutorials
I could not find tutorials for this pattern. Dixie DIY did a mini review of the M7446 leggingsΒ (along with some other activewear bottoms), but she doesn’t give construction tips. As of mid-January 2017, this pattern has not yet been reviewed on PatternReview.com or The Fold Line. (The pattern was released in early fall 2016, so it’s still pretty new.) Try hitting up the McCall Pattern Company Group on Facebook for help.
What makes it a winner
You get a lot when you buy this pattern β a top, bottoms, and jacket. It’s a good value. The contrasting panels on the tank and leggings are on trend. The little pocket could be good for holding a credit card and ID; you’d have to be careful about sticking more in there if you practice inversions!
Real talk
Because it’s a Big 4 pattern, you don’t get the support that often comes with buying an indie pattern. If you’re new to sewing activewear knits, you could feel alone sewing this pattern if you hit roadblocks. RELATED:Β Sewing Outdoor Clothing: How to Outfit for Adventure: This article has many tips for selecting and sewing activewear fabrics.
Click to discover more about McCall’s M7446 (size 6-14) or (size 14-22)Β (those are affiliate links, FYI).
RELATED:Β Beginner Serger Supplies: What You Need for a New Serger
Papercut Pneuma and Ooh La La
Description
Pneuma is two tops in one β a strappy sports bra and an optional flowy, curved-hem tank that’s open on the sides and back. The Ooh La La leggings come in three lengths and offer color-blocking opportunities.
Fabric requirements
For Pneuma, the sports bra requires a stretchy Lycra knit and the tank requires a drapey medium-weight knit. For Ooh La La, the leggings require a a “high-stretch knit fabric with good return,” according to the Papercut website.
Notions beyond thread
The tank/bra calls for 1/2-inch and 1-inch elastic and bra strapping. The leggings call for 1-inch elastic.
Tutorials
Ooh La La
- Lladybird shows how to sew an easy elastic waistband. (She’s made Ooh La La’s a bunch of times; check out the Ooh La La tag on her site.)
- Two On, Two Off added pockets for gel packs and reflective trim to her Ooh La La’s.
Pnuema
- BurdaStyle shows how to add a lining and bra cups.
- Sew RED-y shares another take on how to incorporate bra cups.
Both of these patterns have been out for a few years, which means lots of sewists have blogged and social media-ed Pneuma and Ooh La La. Search hashtags!
What makes it a winner
The Pneuma bra/tank combo, with its strappy sassiness, has style to burn. And the open sides and back let in breezes to cool a hard-working yogi.
The seam lines at the hips on the Ooh La La leggings look like a widow’s peak, which is slimming around the widest part of your body.
Real talk
Double straps look cool, but they often can make getting into/out of a top challenging. Cheapo elastic could make a Pneuma top super irritating to your skin. #friction
As for the Ooh La La’s, getting that widow’s peak point super sharp will take patience (and likely basting).
Click to discover more about Oh La La leggings and the Pneuma top.
RELATED:Β What Does Weight of Fabric Mean?
Fehr Trade Knot-Maste Yoga Set
Description
The top and bottom have knotted/tie details. The pants have two length options. The top has a semi-open back and can be made with a tie or banded hem.
Fabric requirements
Use lightweight stretch jersey with at least 50 percent stretch in all directions. Bamboo jersey is highly recommended.
Notions beyond thread
The pants call for 3-inch woven (braided) elastic. The top calls for (optional) wash-away stabilizer.
Tutorials
There’s a Fehr Trade blog post about choosing fabricΒ for the set. In my experience, designer Melissa Fehr is EXTREMELY responsive via social media (especially Twitter). Just ask, and she’ll probably help you out!
And Sie Macht (hey, that’s this website!) has an illustrated article on how to sew a knit neckband.
What makes it a winner
Two words: crotch gusset. I bought this pattern set (with my own USD) in part because of the gusset, which I think is an innovative design feature to increase range of movement. This is MY yoga sewing pattern of choice!
The tie back is brilliant β tie it up when you hit the mat, let it loose when you’re cooling down. Aaahhh.
Real talk
The pants have a harem vibe, and harem pants aren’t for everyone. (I’m not entirely keen on harem pants, but I’m giving these a bash anyway!)
Click to discover more about theΒ Fehr Trade Knot-Maste yoga set.
RELATED:Β Is Seamwork Worth It?
Seamwork Aries and Rio
Description
Aries is a leggings pattern with thigh contrasting panels. Rio is a scoop neck T-shirt with a high-low split hem.
Fabric requirements
Aires calls for mid- to heavy-weight athletic fabric with at least 25 percent four-way stretch. Stretch mesh is good for the contrasting panel.
Rio calls for lightweight jersey knits with 25 percent stretch. Try mesh fabric for the back bodice.
Notions beyond thread
To sew Aires, you’ll need 1/4-inch elastic. To sew Rio, you’ll need 3/8-inch clear elastic.
Tutorials
Seamwork shows how to add a back keyhole to Rio. While not specific to Aires, this blog post from Sewaholic shows how to stitch a faux-flatlock seam (good for sewing leggings, period!).
Should you need it, Sie Macht has a tutorial β with TONS of illustrations β of how to make a full bust adjustment on T-shirts.
What makes it a winner
Aires features a crotch gusset and a waistband pocket. (I β₯ gussets and pockets.) After you made Rio in activewear fabric, it easily could be made in an everyday knit fabric and pair wonderfully with jeans. (You can’t say that about a lot of activewear!)
Real talk
The leggings come in one length (although an enterprising sewist could change that β Melissa of Fehr Trade actually made hers full length).
Click to discover more about Aires leggings and the Rio top.
Over to you, sewing yogis: Which of these sewing patterns for yoga clothes do you like most? What other yoga sewing patterns have captured your attention? What’s your No. 1 tip for sewing activewear? Please sound off in comments! Thanks!
P.S. I’ve penned some other handy-dandy sewing guides, if you’re interested:
The over-researched sewing table buying guide for the Type A sewist
53 gifts for sewists: The ultimate guide to gifts for sewing lovers
Anorak sewing pattern guide: 3 popular jackets, side by side
P.P.S. I’d love to hear your suggestions for other pattern comparison guides. Any suggestions? LMK!
Ah, so deliciously detailed!
"The seam lines at the hips on the Ooh La La leggings look like a widow's peak, which is slimming around the widest part of your body."
Eh, it's also a horizontal line where most leggings don't have one. It's a fun detail, but I wouldn't call it slimming.
The Knot-Maste pants could work for me, perhaps without the ties.
I AM impressed how modern and stylish sewing patterns can be.
Thanks for reading!
You know, when I looked at that horizontal line, all I really took in was the peak that pointed down! Funny how the brain works. Your point is well made!
I'm excited to get cracking on the Knot-Maste set. It's a departure from the rest of my workout clothes.
Getting the “widows peak” right on the Ooh La Leggings isn’t an issue because of the order the seams are sewn. I’ve just made my first pair (after owning the pattern for about 4 years! Haha) and immediately cut out 3 more. After cutting they only take about 30 minutes to whip up on an overlocker plus top-stitching time. I’m a big fan of the Pneuma top. I make them over and over, it really is my go-to work out pattern π
Oh geez, I didn’t even think about sewing order on the leggings! Thanks for enlightening me! And thanks for reading. π
I’ve recently ventured into sewing, so I’ve been thinking about making some yoga clothes. This article is so helpful! I’m particularly interested with the Papercut Pneuma and Ooh La La designs.
The Pneuma looks so cool! Happy sewing!
I think you should add the offerings by Jalie to this list. They are my first stop for activewear and they have TONS of appropriate patterns in all kinds of variations.
Thanks for the suggestion, Elizabeth! I’ve never sewn Jalie, but I know the pattern co. has a great rep for activewear.