Helen from Helen’s Closet released a new pattern this week! These are the Avery Leggings and are currently 20% off until Feb 16, 2018. I know there are about 100 different patterns for leggings out there but these are different than others – I promise!
For starters these have a gusset, which is a triangle of extra fabric that helps with range of motion and less bulk. To be honest, I had never sewn a gusset before but it’s super easy. For some reason I had always been intimidated about sewing gussets and now that I’ve sewn one, I feel silly for worrying about it. It’s literally SO SIMPLE. It’s just like sewing any other piece onto another piece.
In addition to the gusset these have 1/2″ elastic in the waist and it really does help keep them up. I wore them as soon as I completed sewing them and they are crazy comfortable. They don’t pull down or sag at all. I hate having to adjust leggings all day. The pattern requires a knit with 70% stretch, my knit is an athletic knit with at least 100% stretch. These are made to be a “second skin” and they really are, which you can tell in the pictures because of my butt cheeks and knees 😀
I made the lower rise but longer length and actually added 2″ to the length because of my height 5’10”. I add at least 2″ to every pant pattern I’ve ever made. My waist measurement is currently 31 and hips 40, which put me in a size Large. I didn’t have to grade anything for a change! I’m a straight up Large and they fit perfectly. Even though I did the lower rise they come up pretty high and hit my belly button. I think that’s mainly because of the amount of 4-way stretch in the fabric. I like where they hit though, it covers muffin top.
This pattern is labeled as Advanced Beginner and I can see that as accurate. It is an easy and quick sew but I would say elastic is a little bit more than just beginner. It’s simple and Helen explains it well, so don’t let that deter you. I used a zig-zag stitch on my machine, I also used the serger and overlocker. You can see below my wobbly topstitching!
Go pick up this pattern, you won’t regret it. I plan on making a black pair ASAP!