Linden and Ooh La Leggings (beach edition)

58 comments
Hello, hello, hello. Happy Monday. Let's talk Linden and Ooh La Leggings, ok?

My neck is red from wearing my camera strap :P

The top pattern is one that you've most likely seen online already, the Grainline Linden sweatshirt. I purchased the sweatshirt fabric and ribbing from Michael Levine in Los Angeles during my last visit. I had phenomenal customer service from Guadalupe, (can I get a "hell yeah" for great customer service?) so if anyone from Michael Levine is reading this please let her know that she is awesome :) The fabric isn't as thick as it appears and is a soft, comfy, lightweight sweater knit, which I like. Honestly, I can probably get away with wearing it as a shirt and it will get more use that way too. The ribbing isn't an exact match color wise, but I'm ok with that. I wish that I had taken a cue from Heather and made the ribbing around the neck a little bit bigger because my bra strap is definitely hanging out. Oops! It also doesn't help that my sweater/shirt is crooked in every single picture. Oops again. Luckily, it's an easy pattern to sew and I'll probably be making another one soon with less bra showing.


The leggings are the Papercut Patterns Ooh La Leggings sewn in this black nylon lycra from Funki Fabrics. Not that you asked, but whenever I see "Ooh La Leggings" I read "Ooh La La Leggings" for some reason. I purchased the fabric with this pattern in mind to make a test garment before cutting into the fancier watercolor lace I was given from Funki Fabrics. I'm really glad I made a test garment first because there were a few changes that needed to be made, especially in the crotch area. The pattern was sewn initially without any alterations, but I ended up taking in the crotch a bit because it had a weird bubble in front. I kept making tiny adjustments, trying the leggings on, and then asking my husband if the crotch looked better. It was probably the weirdest question I have ever asked him. The leggings are wearable, but not perfect by any means.


And just because I feel like it, here are a couple of photos of my evening at the beach. My husband, Frankie (our pup), and I took pictures and walked around at sunset. We haven't been on many night walks because it has been too dark after work, so I am ready for the upcoming time change!


I love where I live!


Before cutting into the watercolor lace I made the following adjustments to the paper pattern: shortened the legs by 2 inches, shortened the waist by one inch, took in the front crotch by 1/4 inch, and shortened the center front curve by 1/4 inch. I don't know if these adjustments were technically "right," but they improved the fit and that's good enough for me! When I tried them on I was proud that the changes made the leggings fit much better, so I immediately went into the other room and said, "Luke, look at the crotch.... Luke, look at the crotch." This went on for a minute before I realized that he was sleeping... I totally would have sounded like a crazy person if anyone had heard me haha


Both pairs are really comfortable and now that I had worn them in a semi athletic setting (well if you count power walking on the beach as athletic haha) I feel confident reporting back on how they feel as workout wear. Saturday morning my friend and I walked 4+ miles on the beach in a lot of soft sand and through some dunes/hills. It was pretty warm (in the seventies) and we were both sweating. My legs were dry (the polyester in the leggings helps with that), but since I was wearing a cotton shirt my upper half was sweaty. The best part about the leggings was the fact that I wasn't fidgeting in them or pulling them up, in fact I kind of forgot about them because they felt like a second skin! This is due to the four way stretch in the fabric that moves with your body. Some of the others I have made in the past have not been with four way stretch and now that I have a few nice pairs there is no turning back. My old leggings are going to be banished from the yoga studio and from my walking/running routine. Laters, bad leggings.


Speaking of fitness, do any of you have FitBits? My friend was in a group challenge with her friends to see who could walk the most this past weekend and I thought it would be fun to have a sewing buddy group challenge if anyone was interested :)

Bye.

58 comments :

  1. I just love your sweatshirt - that fabric is amazing!! The leggings look great too, love all the colours in that second pair. It looks so beautiful where you live!

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  2. your fabric choices are so awesome! I'm glad you included a review of how the leggings fabric performed as activewear. I feel like there haven't been too many reviews about how well some of these type of fabrics perform in sweaty conditions. Once I delve into sewing activewear I'll have to check out Funki Fabrics and the leggings pattern.



    I have a FitBit! I'd be up for a sewing/fitbit challenge. Now that the days are getting longer maybe I'll be more inclined to go for walks after work.

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  3. Oh, I love your Linden. That looks like the perfect sweatshirt fabric.

    I always have the same thought when I think about the Ooh La Leggings. It's missing a La! I've made a couple pairs of these leggings and while I like them, they actually ended up a little big. If I can face that many seams for a pair of leggings again (I really love all the seaming but man they take forever to sew), I'll probably go down a size. Your lace ones look really good -- that's how I'd love for mine to fit!

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  4. Nice sweatshirt and do love the fabric. I like the leggings, I have not tried making any but others seem to have good results.

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  5. Ohh my gosh, I cannot stand having o pull up my leggings when exercising. I only have two pairs of running pants, both falling apart, and one of hem has to be pulled up every 200m. I REALLY should ge around to making some of my own!

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  6. Dude those leggings are so cool! Love the sweatshirt too :)

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  7. Omg! I have that pattern And I totally think it's ohh la la leggings too! I need to make these because they're totally cute! No, I need to make your whole outfit!

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  8. The first outfit. Grays and blacks and creams...simplicity and geometrics....swoon! I think I'm in love :)

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  9. I have a fitbit! I'd be interested! I desperately need to figure out how to make leggings, I bought a pattern but picked the wrong fabric apparently and couldn't pull them up all the way. I'm so tall nothing ever fits and they constantly stretch out and slide down. Yours look great!

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  10. Ooh this is one of my fave lindens. I just love that fabric! And then the plain ribbing, just works perfectly.

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  11. I love all these casual garments, and your fabrics are amazing! The check pattern on the Linden really elevates it, and of course the watercolor leggings fabric is fantastic. I'll have to give Funki Fabrics a try when I finally get around to sewing leggings, which you know is going to happen sooner or later. :) I love all your beach photos too - such a beautiful place to live!

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  12. That watercolor lace is fabulous! You sure know how to make some awesome leggings! Love the linden as well. Btw, I always see "ooh la la" when I read that!

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  13. Helen // Grosgrain GreenFebruary 17, 2015 at 7:48 AM

    OMG! I actually thought they *were* called Ooh La La Leggings!!! I have read that every single time. They look great, and I love the Linden.

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  14. Looking at your beach pics makes me want to weep! Gahhhh! I need to get a FitBit... I'm seriously feeling squishy and disgusting from winter inactivity. Even though we're buried under snow (woke up to MORE this morning!), it's been too cold to ski, my usual winter exercise, so I feel DISGUSTING right now. Ugh!

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  15. It's not oh la la?! I totally read it that way, lol :) I'm jealous of those amazing leggings--gorgeous fabric. And I totally meant to make a linden, but I think the cold weather is fading here, so maybe next winter? Boo :( I'm working towards doing an event in March as a vendor with my leather, so I'm not sewing clothes much right now. Hoping to have time for the dog fabric challenge tho :)

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  16. Yay! I'm glad they work so well (and look so good!). Lol at the crotch thing! I can imagine myself saying to my husband "why don't you care about my crotch wrinkles??" Tee hee. Well done on these!!

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  17. especially love the workout leggings! and HELL YES to guadalupe! she's awesome.

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  18. Cute Linden sweatshirt! I have the pattern, so it's on my list, but man those watercolor lace leggings are amazing! The fit and fabric are great. I hadn't thought too much about making active wear, but you have inspired me. I would love to have a pair of me made leggings that fit like that!

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  19. www.tresbienensemble.comFebruary 17, 2015 at 12:57 PM

    I love your Linden fabric! Paired with your leggings it looks like a great go-to cozy outfit.

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  20. Wow! So many things - first of all... that beach is GORGEOUS!! So SO much prettier than our Texas coast (but I'll take what I can get) and I love the way your red lip glows in that pretty light of the setting sun. Also! I'm so happy to hear about your tips for making fitness appropriate leggings! I've been wondering for awhile now what the appropriate fabric is to stay dry while working out - because fitness brands are way WAY too expensive for me. So I'll definitely keep my eye out for some funky 4 way stretch polyesters! And finally, I LOVE the idea of a sewing related fitness group. I, sadly, don't have a fitbit, but I love the idea all the same. Fun post, Erin!! And great makes! Can't go wrong with sweatshirts and leggings!

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  21. i love the fabric you used for your Linden!! So gorgeous :) And maybe I should invest in a leggings pattern, things are getting a little tight around here with a growing bump :)

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  22. Awww, I grew up in Pismo Beach (up in Tacoma, WA now, though) and I always love seeing you post beach/town photos. Makes me miss home :) Are those the dunes at Oceano?

    Love the first Linden!

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  23. Love all of these!! That Linden is amazing - I love the fabric! And those leggings - Oooh la la indeed! :) PS: I always read it that way too!

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  24. I really like the pattern on the sweater knit you used for your Linden.
    Fantastic leggings. I always think they are "Ooh La La Leggings" too.
    The colours in the watercolour ones are my jam! :)

    I don't have a fit bit. Would you recommend one? What is the best thing about having one?

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  25. I don't know if I ever realized there was just one La in this pattern! That shows how carefully I read... Your leggings look fantastic, and I really love the Linden!

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  26. Thanks, Vanessa!

    I like my FitBit because you can set a daily step goal for yourself. For example, my goal is to walk 3 miles a day. I don't always make it, but I will check my FitBit a few times a day and push myself to walk more. And when I hit the three mile mark I'll say to myself, "hmmmm let's see how much farther I can go." It's kind of like you are competing with yourself! Plus, I just like knowing how far I walk because I'm nosy hahaa. One day at Disneyland my friends and I walked 13 miles!

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  27. Thanks, Jennifer!



    I am alllll about leggings over here. They're so great to work out in or slip on before walking the dog.

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  28. That's awesome, I love connecting with SLO county people on my blog! These photos were taken at the end of Grand in Grover :)

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  29. Thanks, Sallie!


    Isn't it crazy how expensive workout gear is? I was on the Lulu Lemon website and some of the leggings there are over $100!!!! That's so much money!!!!!

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  30. Thanks, Lilly!

    Making workout gear is really fun to me. It's almost kind of motivating to know that you will be wearing something fun and custom to the gym. It puts me in a better mood about working out hhaha!

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  31. Thanks, Kaycee. And side note, you are only the second Kaycee that I have met who spells her name that way. I love the spelling!

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  32. I'm so glad to hear that your bag making business is taking off!!!!!

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  33. If you end up getting one let me know! We can be friends!

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  34. I thought the same until a month ago! haha

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  35. Hey Lindsey! I requested to be your friend on there, but I don't know if you got the request or not :)

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  36. Make them and we can be twinnies!!! :)

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  37. You should totally give it a shot! There are a bunch of great patterns out there!

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  38. It would be interesting to see how much distance is covered in a day. I prefer to compete with myself as opposed to competing with others.
    I'm not surprised you walked that far at Disneyland. :)

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  39. What did you think about the fabric utilization of the Ooh La pattern versus a standard leggings pattern with one crotch/butt seam and one continuous inseam seam? This pattern seems like you'd have less waste in your yardage than with the bigger cuts for a fewer seam pattern. Did you find the same?

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  40. Cute leggings. I usually stick to black workout ones but I'd rock these.

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  41. The fabric are very nice look. Y'er sexey pic thanks for share.

    African kente

    African fabric

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