You guys.
You guys.
I made leggings that did not require a full seat, full/forward/muscular/fat thigh nor a sway back adjustment.
Don’t adjust your phone screen. What I speak is the truth. Because, the Jalie Cora Leggings are the MOTHER LOVING BUSINESS. Or magic. But, probably just really well drafted if we’re being honest. Yet, still a strong possibility of magic.
When it comes to workout clothes, I’m a big fan of leggings. As my thighs have touched since birth, shorts give me continual chub rub and I don’t like to chafe. Leggings are my friend. I made three pairs of these and I LOVE them. They are stylish and comfotable and I felt totally hawt and fit!
Now, one bit of advice I would give should you choose to make these. Listen is to your inner voice and DO NOT put the lightest color as the inner thigh contrast. Holy stare at my butt Batman!
After making this mistake with my first pair, I was far more judicious in my color choices with my second and third pair – making sure to put the darker color at the center. Most of the fabric is from Suzie Spandex in Montréal – which I bought in purple, grey, black, red and blue during PR Weekend there like six years ago. What’s funny is the Jalie women were on that trip and raved about the Suziplex. The accent colors of baby blue and mint green are Supplex from Stretch House, purchased about six years ago in NY
On my second pair, I added stretchy sew-in reflective tape to the calf and pocket seams (above). Speaking of the pocket… Do you see my iPod bulging a bit at the back below my waist? It’s a crazy great pocket. It fits my huge android phone, keys and ID too.
Of the many many yards of athletic fabric I’ve bought including Under Armor, Nike, and general supplex this Suziplex is the best stuff I’ve ever used. And, it’s sadly no longer being made. Melissa from FehrTrade tipped me off that they weren’t selling it anymore last year and I called and placed an obscene order – tariffs and international shipping be dammed! This of course left me with some odd colors (brown, teal, burgundy, and violet). But, I do not care. I will hoard these until they are sold for a $1 a yard at my estate sale.
I sewed a size X at the waist grading to a Z at the thigh based on my measurements. That’s it. No alterations. No special tricks. No sizing down. No topstitching the seams. I sewed this mostly mostly on my serger and used my coverstitch for the hemming. I did add some reflective tape on two pairs for some night visibility.
I do vacillate between feeling really good with how these look on my butt to feeling like they show a lot of my butt. It’s so hurrrd being a woman.
That’s it. I love them. Please pardon me while I go work out. Or walk the dog. He clearly is ready to go out.
Miss Celie's Pants 
They look great! I’m just making the Cora shorts – to turn into bike shorts. Without waistband or thigh bands yet but they already fit. I also sewed up the gym shorts ( Jalie crop top pattern) for my 12 year old yesterday – took about 1/2 an hour and fit her muscular frame perfectly. Loving their patterns. I do wonder if the calves will fit on the full length Cora leggings cause I have no idea how to adjust those with all the seaming.
Hmmm, you’re right. The calves can be a bit skinny. And, looking at photos these are actually a little long on me. But, I don’t have the energy or need to shorten them. But, widening the calf would be a real challenge!
On Mon, Aug 22, 2016 at 6:34 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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Looks wonderful! I love the colors combo. Great job….
Thank you! I did a lot of googling for color combos.
On Mon, Aug 22, 2016 at 7:45 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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The leggings look great and so does your butt. Ask Jordan, I’m sure he’ll agree. LOL. Really, you look fine. Love the addition of the reflective tape. Is that an iron on or sew on? I so need to make myself some more leggings and running skirts
Ah, yes. I used a stretchy sew-in that is by Under Armour (they are local to Baltimore). I bought like 100 yards of it. And, Jordan’s a big fan of the leggings, lol! I also need to make more running skirts. They are my favorite.
On Mon, Aug 22, 2016 at 8:01 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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These leggings are fantastic. I so WISH I could find not only the time and energy to sew these, but the confidence to actually wear them. You might have inspired me! Your blog is an absolute delight to read. Keep on keepin’ on.
These are awesomesauce!!! Great job!
Your comedic timing is excellent: “Holy stare at my butt Batman!” And then scroll down to the photo. Hah! I wish I knew why so many of us are self-conscious about our butts. Especially when others seem to appreciate said butts so much.
I’m SO self conscious about it! Yet, it’s a feature I admire so much in other people.
On Mon, Aug 22, 2016 at 9:02 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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Oh, Renee, if you got it, flaunt it, and you_do_. You look fabulous in these! I love everything about them. Great color combos. I was so sad when I found out Suziplex was no longer available. I wanted some so badly to make some leggings. So, hoard that stuff or make some more of these great leggings!
It *is* sad! If I remember correctly, the factory burned down. I will have to pace myself so the fabric I have lasts to the end of my ability to workout, lol.
On Mon, Aug 22, 2016 at 9:47 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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Really nice. I’m inspired! Thanks!
Thank you! I love when pattern companies come out with something very RTW. It makes you feel like you can sew *anything*.
On Mon, Aug 22, 2016 at 11:59 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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Nice leggings! I agree, Cora is a great pattern. I’ve made 2 pairs of the shorts so far and they fit better than any I’ve ever made, including other Jalie patterns.
I was *just* thinking about this. I suspect it’s the gusset that really helps too. My bike shorts for my sport skort could use a gusset. And, when I made Jordan boxers, I added a gusset. I think that helps a ton.
On Tue, Aug 23, 2016 at 12:28 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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I think that the butt panel helps too. For little extra room, I did lengthen it a smidge down the center back on my second pair.
Thanks for this post on your leggings. You look great. My fingers scrolled across my phone so fast to order this pattern.
Have you compared the fabric to what’s available in Spandex House?
I have gotten nice supplex from Stretch House in NY: https://missceliespants.com/2010/11/12/supplex-who-knew/ The mint green and pastel blue are from my purchase there six years ago. I’ve made black yoga pants from their fabric too: https://missceliespants.com/2010/12/16/burda-magazine-11-2008-126-the-accidental-maternity-pants/
What I like about the Suziplex is they are thicker without being hotter and they have a fuzzy interior. They also are a little stretchier than the supplex I purchased without being limp. So, I can say the Supplex in NY is great. It’s just not as beloved as the Suziplex. And, I plan to use the pastels to make some tee shirts since they are a bit too lightweight for pants.
On Tue, Aug 23, 2016 at 12:50 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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I like the first pair the best! The darker outside kind of disappears and makes your butt look half-size. Colour-blocked dresses often have black on the outside for that reason.
Ahh. Yes, you make a good point. I took a lot of photos before I found one that didn’t seem to be too: BUTT, BUTT, BUTT. The other reason the lighter color isn’t as great in general is I’m not as jiggle free as I thought, lol. But, yes. You’re right, the darker outside colors helps with sizing for sure.
On Tue, Aug 23, 2016 at 1:09 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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Your butt looks awesome in all three. Really. That’s all that matters. 🙂
I think I have a weird fixation with trying to minimize and/ or not look like I’m trying to highlight my lower half. I guess we all have our areas we are strange about! And, thank you! I feel pretty awesome.
On Tue, Aug 23, 2016 at 4:26 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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The leggings look great – I really need to check out Jalie patterns as they seem to be so popular. I almost snorted my drink at your comment about hoarding the fabric until your estate sale! I am probably in the same category. Yikes! 🙂
I just know that Jordan won’t want to deal with it and he’ll let someone just buy the whole lot for a pittance. We met with a financial planner recently and he choked with laughter at the value I placed on my fabric and sewing supplies. Yeah, estate sale it will be, lol.
On Tue, Aug 23, 2016 at 6:04 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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Love em!!! They fit like a dream in you. Now I bet if I google “thighs” and “cora” we’ll both be the top two hits.
That is a true story! I almost didn’t blog them. But, I thought your post was so informative. The photo on the envelope looks nothing like my body type. Also, I already have an insane number of hits looking for ‘thick thighs’ and ‘butt’. I just tell myself lots of sewing people want to know 😅
On Tue, Aug 23, 2016 at 7:14 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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I’m so glad you DID blog them! We have a similar shape (I actually found your blog years ago after googling sway back adjustments) though I’m shorter and have a bigger lower belly (thank you, 8 kids…) so to know these will likely work for me with minimal (if any) changes is very much appreciated!
These look fantastic!
I have such trouble sewing on wlastic materials… I need help suggestions! I am a real novice and the solution has to be something i can get here in italy. Thanks! And you’re so funny! Love the dog too.
I assume on a regular sewing machine? You’ll want to try different needles: a ball point or stretch needle. Schmetz which I’ve seen in Europe makes both. And, for your hems, you should use a bias cut of iron on interfacing and a twin needle (also available from Schmetz). Once you have the right needle, use a narrow zig zag stitch, stretching the fabric slightly as you sew. That’s it. I promise! I swear my second ever sewing project was a knit and it worked out fine. I will say when I sew a silk jersey, I have to use an EXTREMELY sharp needle vs a stretch or ball point. But, you’re probably not sewing silk jersey quite yet 😃
On Tue, Aug 23, 2016 at 8:16 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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Jalie has great videos on sewing some of that patterns that are really helpful to a beginner. They also recommend a (non-server) technique of zigzagging first and then stitching straight with a slight stretch. It seems to work fine.
Oh, yeah. This is a really good point. They do include great techniques. And, the Cora video on Youtube is really helpful for the gusset and waistband construction.
On Tue, Aug 23, 2016 at 11:28 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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those are all fantastic and hurrah for Jalie patterns – sometimes their fit/sizing is amazing. looking at these tempts me to try some of their other pants patterns, have you tried any of them? also the estate sale comments – priceless.
I agree with Beth on all counts! The estate sale comment made me laugh out loud!
Those do look like great leggings. great job on all 3 pairs.
I really love the leggings but I love seeing Linus looking at you like, ‘can you stop taking pictures and take me for a walk?’ LOL
Work it, Renee! You’re looking great! Yes, it is hard to be a woman sometimes. We womens gotta stick together! 😉
You have done your job and convinced me to buy the Cora leggings. No matter I have other patterns, I am ordering these now. However, I am so sad about the Suziplex, what’s up with that?? Why do they always stop making the good stuff?
I got on a big Jalie athletic wear sewing kick this summer! I made the a couple pair of the swim shorts and some sports bras. After making them I was so impressed with the comfort and fit of these patterns. Top notch! The patterns are so versatile too! I tried one of the “hacks” on their blog to make shorts that looked like they came from Athleta. I made items for my daughter and myself with the same pattern thanks to their wide range of sizes included in each pattern. Can’t say enough great things about Jalie!!
I totally love these. They look great on you. By the way do you know if Treena will ever blog again?
Off to buy this pattern immediately! I’ve noticed that Jalie has great drafting for curvy/muscular body types. One of their tops I made I noticed that the sleeves in the larger sizes were turkey leg shaped, instead of tapering in a straight line, which mimics how my arms are actually shaped. They know their shiz!
(Also, I think your butt looks great in these.)
[…] seriously impressive athletic wear over on Miss Celies […]
I’ve *literally* just been thinking to myself about how I need more leggings for running and debating making vs buying (I try to make nearly everything, but dresses seem like so much more fun to sew than leggings, lol). However, I think you’ve swayed me over to “making” now with this pattern. My biggest issue is what fabric to use. I know next to nothing about athletic fabrics or where to get them. Are there any suggestions you can make off the top of your head for somewhere to start (since the fabric you like most is no longer available)? Just if it’s quick and easy – I don’t want to ask you to do my searching for me!
Oh – and like everyone else has commented – you look super fab in all your versions! Hence why I’m now so much more enthusiastic to pause pretty dress sewing for leggings! :o)
I’m so inspired by this post, I love all three of them. I was about to go shopping for some workout tights, but you’re convincing me to sew some instead. Of course the big hurdle is the fabric, lucky you to have such an abundant stash of rare and precious suziplex!
Love Love Love! These are all awesome and yes, the Coras are Magic!! I love mine 🙂
So awesome! They look wonderful on you and you’re set for a bit on leggings…now I will have to buy that pattern too since they’re so tremendously fab. Well done!
Amazing!!! So awesome!! Great job! I am also planning to make workout leggings, your post was very inspirational for that! How did they hold up in working out?
Fantastically! Much better than my RTW leggings. The ones from the store I have to buy in a larger size and take in at the waist. So, they tend to not stay put. There is no sagging or sliding with these. Next time I make them though, I will probably do a copped set just to vary it up.
On Tue, Aug 30, 2016 at 11:35 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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OMG, these are FABULOUS!!! I live in leggings and don’t have anything this nice! You look awesome in them all (including the “holy batman” pair, LOL!). I’ll have to checkout some of the fabric sources! Thanks for the great review Renee!
I am late to the comments however your leggings look GREAT love the color combos and the shows your lovely figure ( I have the same figure but maybe a little bigger in the front ) you must have been reading my mind I wanted to make a pair of leggins for the fall I previously made a pair from another pattern company and they were awful . Thanks for the post glad to see Linus is doing well also.
I honestly can’t say enough good things about these. I usually wear Under Armour cropped leggings that I bought in an L or XL and take the wait in by several inches with darts — and they still slip down at time. These stay on well, shape the black nicely and were fun to put together. I really can’t recommend them enough. For my next round, I will crop them though so they hit mid calf.
On Wed, Sep 14, 2016 at 7:33 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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