I am sorta obsessed with these rainbow striped leggings! The fabric is awesome and so it this pattern. I have sewn a lot of the colored blocked version of the Candy Pants, but this was my first time with the solid version. I decided to go with the solid option because matching all the stripes along the sides would made me so crazy. I decided to sacrifice the pockets for sanity and I am not mad about it.
I decided to go with the ankle length leggings. This worked out perfectly because I had exactly one yard of these rainbow stripes. I used the size 2X for the from belly and XL for the back. I cut the high rise because I like my leggings pulled up to hold everything in place. I added the full gusset. Additionally, I removed 1 inch from the length at the thigh just above the knee to account for my lack of height. 🙂 I used a black scrap of athletic fabric for the waistband and sewed elastic in to add more security for gym day!
Please notice I wore my black rainbow glasses here. 🙂
Solid or Colorblocked versions for both yoga pants and leggings
Optional side pockets (to be used with the colorblocked version)
7 Lengths: 2″, 5″ and 7″ shorts, pedal pusher, capri, ankle and long
4 rises: High, Mid, Low and Extra Low/Maternity
Regular waistband options include exposed elastic, regular knit, foldover yoga band and contour
Maternity waistband options include full overbelly panel, contour, regular knit and foldover yoga band
Full, half or no gusset options
Check out this YouTube video of all of our testers’ versions!
As if I would wear these pants and not smile…
I have sewn a lot of Candy pants and these are the most like compression leggings I buy. This fabric was a fair bit heavier and thicker than ones I have made before so I absolutely will get more. I suggest selecting a higher weight fabric is you want more of a compression fit. Plus like any pants, I suggest making a mock up so you know which person adjustments you need to make before using the “good” fabric. Just make a mock up with a similar weight.
I would love to tell you where this rainbow fabric is from, but I received it from the Jessica Cee collection so the world may never really know. 🙂
Welcome to September and our next round of The Fitting Experiment. This time we are looking at the fit of a few pair of leggings. Be sure to read all the way to the bottom for a discount code and links to all the other bloggers in The Fitting Experiment!
The rules for this round was easy. 1. Make the two pair of leggings that the group voted to try out. 2. Pick one additional pair that you want to try.
I have sewn the Eden Leggings from Bella Sunshine Designs, I was actually part of testing them. This was about 2 years ago when I first began sewing. I made 3 pair during testing and will honestly admit that I haven’t worn any of the leggings since. While they fit ok, they got saggy around my knees when walking around in them and I had a fairly limited fabric stash back then, so I made some bold leggings without many options to wear with them! 🙂
I was nervous about the RAD G.O.A.T leggings since I have struggled with nailing the fit on the few other patterns of theirs I have tried. I also know that when these released people went nuts for them, so I was willing to give them a go.
The 20K leggings hadn’t even been on my radar since I didn’t even know they were drafted in my size range. To be fair, several other bloggers in our experiment had never tried their patterns so we were all pretty eager to give them a go.
Up First Bella Sunshine Designs Eden leggings retails for $14.oo, BUT there is a code to get them for FREE in their Facebook group! This leggings sew up quickly.
Yoga Waistband for the Ultimate in Comfort
3 Rise Options: Super High Rise, High Rise, Mid Rise
2 Lengths: Capri & Pant
Sewing Level: Absolute Beginner
Sizes: Ladies 0-30
Up to a 59.75 inch hip
I sewed up the High Rise in pant length. I also did a full belly adjustment, as I do this with most pant patterns. I graded a size 28 waist to 22 in the legs. Still a little saggy in the knee area. As far as height adjusting, I removed 1 inch above the knee, 1 inch from the above hip area. Looking back I don’t know why I did it from the hip area, I need more, not less fabric there. I should have removed it from the legs. After assembly my leggings were still crazy long on me. I cut off an extra 5 inches off the length because they covered my toes.
Let’s talk about the RAD pattern next. G.O.A.T stands for Greatest of All Time, by the way. This pattern retails for $10.00 US. My first thought was this pattern consists of a lot of pieces for leggings. I believe that magic number was 12 pieces. Leggings are usually less than 5 pieces sometimes only 3 pieces. I appreciated that this pattern is easily color blocked and has POCKETS! I figured with doing all these pattern pieces, I am adding the dang pockets! I sewed the 3x waist graded to the 2x hips and legs. This pattern is inclusive to a 70 inch hips which is RAD’s 7x. I adjusted for my 5’1 height by removing length from 2 places, above and below the knee. I appreciated that the RAD pattern suggested adding elastic to the waistband during assembly. I almost always need it and was glad they reminded me to do during construction.
Pattern Options:
Features a high waist and a long, 7/8, 3/4, or capri length option. There are also optional side pockets that are made to fit even a larger phone, while keeping it secure. This pattern is drafted for a height of 5’7.
Max and Meena 20K leggings. This pattern retails for $5.95, but the Facebook group has a code to get it for FREE! Something different with Max and Meena patterns is that your pattern gets emailed to you instead of logging into an account to get it. This is a super fast sew with only 3 pattern pieces with the basic leggings pattern. I sewed up the regular length with the regular waist band. I didn’t adjust for height since the inseam is given at 29 inches. Mine is 27.5 and the pattern warned if you have larger calves, it may shorten the length a bit. So I have large calves for sure, so no adjustment for the height. I used Double Brushed Poly for my leggings.
The 20K Leggings have three lengths: short, capri, and regular length. Three waistband options: regular waistband, cross over maternity band, and waistband with built in pocket.The pattern has a generous size range from Misses XS-XL and Women’s 1X-5X.You will need 1 1/4- 1 1/2 yards of cotton lycra or similar 4-way stretch knits to make a full length pair of leggings. I sewed the regular length with the regular waistband.
1. BSD 2. RAD 3. Max and Meena
My After Fitting Thoughts:
All 3 of my legging have wrinkling at the knees so obviously this is a personal fit issue.
BSD – Eden leggings were quick to make and comfortable to wear. I used double brushed poly for this pair. For a quick sew, this fit the bill on expectations. This is a basic, no frills pair of legging which is great for laying around the house or even pairing under a dress with boots.
RAD’s GOAT leggings really shocked me – in the best possible way. Even though these were by far the most time consuming to sew, they were well worth it. The fit is great. They are fitted, but not overly tight. The added elastic keeps them secure and they didn’t require adjusting while wearing. I love that I was able to use scraps to make this pattern as the legs were made from a front, back, and side panel instead of the entire leg pattern being one solid piece. Plus there is a POCKET! Now I need them in a solid, non color blocked version!
Max and Meena’s 20K legging is another simple legging. Super fast sew. I made my first pair in Double Brushed Poly, but they were painfully tight. I decided to give them another go and did a full belly adjustment as I am at the top of their size chart in waist measurements and went up one size in the legs. My second pair is still tight in the belly area while it is wrinkled in the back of the thigh area and I noticed the fabric became very see through when stretched while I moved. These will be around the house leggings or leggings for layering. With more adjusting, these leggings could work for me.
1. BSD 2. RAD 3. Max and Meena
Huge thank you to RAD Patterns for sponsoring this month’s experiment by providing us with the G.O.A.T. leggings (Greatest of all time). Stephanie has kindly provided a discount for you to try the G.O.A.T. pattern, available in the announcements of Friends of the Fitting Experiment. Check out the group to see how others made out with the leggings. You can also visit the bloggers for their full review by following the links below:
Psst I am sharing pants again…Candy Pants!!! I told you, I am on a mission for the perfect fit. These pants are pretty much awesome sauce out of the gate! For both pairs I made, I used the yoga pants pattern which is a little wider in the leg than the leggings options. Oh wait! Did I say options?!?! How about we switch things up here and start with all the options. We know 5oo4 always loads up on the options!
Solid or Colorblocked versions for both yoga pants and leggings
Optional side pockets (to be used with the colorblocked version)
7 Lengths: 2″, 5″ and 7″ shorts, pedal pusher, capri, ankle and long
4 rises: High, Mid, Low and Extra Low/Maternity
Regular waistband options include exposed elastic, regular knit, foldover yoga band and contour
Maternity waistband options include full overbelly panel, contour, regular knit and foldover yoga band
Full, half or no gusset options
Check out this YouTube video of all of our testers’ versions!
For my fit test pants, I made the 4x waist with the legs graded down to the 3x. I found the legs a little snug for a yoga pant. I think in testing I told Rachelle that “they gets stuck on my legs.” LOL meaning the were a little clingy at my knee and calf. You can see in the side by side photos that the black with rust floral print is a bit weird at my knee and calf compared to the navy with colorful floral print. Ahh improving my pants fitting game. This is why we do a muslin, so we know what works, what needs improved, and how to best good our good fabric.
I chose to use the full gusset for both pair of pants. A gusset in pants is added for a little extra room in the crotch. Usually a full gusset is used in athletic pants so there is a little more room for doing squats and stuff. 🙂 I just don’t like tight fitting anything! This pattern can be made with a full, without the gusset or with a half gusset. The first time I botched a gusset was another 5oo4 pattern. The Rip Tide Shorts. They worked out fine, but after watching the video in the pattern, I did it right the first time!
These pants turned out super comfy and I will need to add a bunch of them to my closet as well as some shorts for wearing under all my dresses. By the way, did I tell you how quickly these came together. No outside leg seam makes them super speedy and one less annoyance for folks with sensory issues.
I *Think* the black with rust flower print is from Sew Blessed and the Navy with colorful ones is from Ksews. Both companies have loads of great deals, quick shipments and are lovely with customer service.
As always this blog contains affiliate links, which is a small commission I earn when you make a purchase from my blog links. This doesn’t change the price at all for you, but gives a small amount of the pattern price to me. Thank you for helping to support my sewing.
SequoiaLynn Sews 