Jalie Hoodie and Yoga Pants

I read a lot of sewing blogs where people make career wardrobes: jackets, tailored skirts, classy dresses, etc. Or they are sewing these things to wear to church, or...or...wherever.

I am a stay at home mom, so while I love reading about such sewing adventures, the fact is that I most happy when I sew something practical for my lifestyle. Which involves a lot of homebody-ness and shuffling kids back and forth.

So, I am FREAKING THRILLED that I sewed this comfy lounge/errands outfit for me!!!!!

Can I allow myself to be so excited about knit loungewear? I mean, it's not like I had to fit it or anything. I just sewed it as drafted. But for me it is wonderful!

Fabric: Cotton/lycra stretch french terry. I love this stuff to death. I need more of it--MORE! After stash game, Leah, pace yourself... Lots of plans for more from the other colors I still have it in!

Pattern(s): Jalie 3022 Yoga Pants and Jalie 2795 Hoodie. I don't think I've ever really mentioned Jalie patterns on here before. Well, they are amazing. Some of the best drafted patterns out there, and with incredibly simple yet informative instructions. From newbies to experts, anyone can pick up a Jalie pattern and get great results, even if you only have a basic sewing machine. Not to mention, each pattern comes with sizing from 2T up to adult sizes. I've already made my daughter a matching pair of yoga pants from 3022, which I'll put up in another post.

I am having a hard time taking this hoodie off. It's soooo comfortable and cozy and, and, it's just perfect! This is only the second hoodie I've made, and I'm once again convinced that separating zippers are EASIER than the traditional closed kinds you put in skirts, dresses, etc.

I wanted to make sure that my ribbing, pockets, etc., matched up, so I laid out my zipper along the front and marked on each side of the zipper where those would be. That way when I separated each side of the zipper to attach them to the fronts, I knew that each side would be hitting those marks at the same place. When I zipped it up, voila, matching pockets et al on each side. I also fused a strip of knit interfacing along the edge of each front before I attached the zipper. See, I can be precise when I want to be, Lyndsay T!!

I used a contrasting cotton lycra jersey for the waistband. It's super comfortable and about the easiest type of waistband to do. You always want to make sure you use a cotton lycra fabric for your yoga waistbands, otherwise they will stretch out and your pants will fall down. Which is bad, unless you're going for that. (I'm usually not.)

I used my coverstitch machine for all of the top stitching on the hoodie and pants, and my sewing machine for the zipper and welt pockets. The pattern says to use a sewing machine for all the top stitching, and that would certainly work nicely as well. I just used my coverstitch because, well, I have one and love it. It also sews a lot faster than my sewing machine, which is nice for impatient me. This hoodie had a lot of pieces and a lot of top stitching!

Here you can see it on the sleeve a little bit.

When I showed this off to my hubby, he looked very jealous, gestured at his own hoodie and said, "oh. Mine's from...Old Navy." Wonh wonh. I think he wants me to make him one. I have another guy pattern that will work perfectly, but not any fabric. So he's going to have to wait until next month!

More to come!