Helen's Closet Avery leggings
Today I'm showing a project I've had on my list for absolute ages and kept putting off, but I've finally done it! It's the Helen's Closet Averys. I rarely sew with knit fabric, and I've never sewn activewear so it was pretty daunting to attempt to sew my own leggings, plus I had a loss of confidence in my body shape and the thought of having to take pictures of my overhanging stomach (thank you, c section) slightly freaked me out*.
But turns out I needn't have worried on either front and these were a delight to sew and to wear.
Like all Helen's Closet patterns, the instructions are very detailed and clear, and I also watched the video on how to do the waistband she has in her story highlight on IG, just to make extra sure I know what I was doing.
The instructions are written for using three width of zig zag stitches, I have a lighting stitch on my machine, so I used that for the 1-2mm and 3-4mm widths. For the 4-5mm I stuck with plain zig zag, except for one bit of topstitching at the very end where I went for some fancy stretch stitch that doesn't have a name as far as I'm aware.
I also have an overlocker stitch on my machine (I don't have an actual overlocker, or any desire to own one) so I finished all seams with that and where it was possible I also stitched the seam allowance down to one side. This is the closest I could get to the way my RTW leggings look, I assume those are done with a cover stitch machine. There are no loose seam allowances, everything is in its place.
I made the size L which is 16-18 according to my waist measurement. I was a bit worried it would be too big, as I've made the 12 in other HC patterns, but it worked out well. They don't feel loose at all and I think will stay out well. You adjust the top elastic to your waist which gives you a lot of control. My waist is apparently quite wide and the elastic I cut was only ever so slightly smaller than the fabric you attach it to, there is space there to gather a lot more of needed.
One thing to say about the pattern is that if you make the high waisted version, which I did, it is very high. Takes some getting used to! But also means I can show you a side way view of much stomach and it's all held in. It's high enough to wear just a sports bra with it and to not flash anything.
The fabric is a Lycra from Minerva, it's very stable and easy to cut. It did go wavey when I overlocked the edges but I was able to press that out again with lots of steam. It's opaque and the colour stretches out well, although you can see the shadow of my underwear through ever so slightly in some pictures. I wear exclusively black underwear and I did briefly consider buying some lighter coloured pants, but I decided that I'm comfortable to go out like this, so I'm comfortable to take pictures like this.
Overall a successful project that I have wish I hadn't put off for so long! More Averys are in my future!
* wee disclaimer: there is nothing wrong with an overhangy stomach and all power to people that are happy to show theirs, but while I can recognise that in theory, I still don't like mine. It's not that easy to opt out of what the general culture of what is an attractive body.
