Sewing clothes yourself is relevant again, because exclusive items and original styles are in fashion. The financial benefit of such a decision is also obvious - the cost of the finished product is pleasantly pleasing. In view of the current fashion trends, many girls ask themselves the question: how to sew a women's tracksuit with your own hands so that it is beautiful, comfortable and can become a basic wardrobe item. Doing this is not as difficult as it seems at first glance, the main thing is to correctly take measurements and make a pattern, and also be sure to take into account the nuances of working with knitted fabrics. With the versatility of the style, the product is suitable for fitness, shopping, walking - its choice is also worth paying close attention. A detailed description of the preparation and work process will help even a novice craftswoman cope with the task.
Choice of style
Sportswear is characterized by convenience and freedom of movement. Models are classified by season: summer, winter, demi-season. Beginner seamstresses need to consider that the products will be washed often, so suitable fabrics should dry quickly and retain their original shape.
The costume consists of two elements. The top can have several variations:
- Jacket, sweatshirt. Ideal for cold weather.
- Sweatshirt with or without a hood. Suitable for training in autumn and spring.
- Sleeveless vest, T-shirt. Comfortable to wear in hot weather.
Often T-shirts and sleeveless jackets are complemented by a hood, but the element plays an exclusively decorative role, since it does not protect the head from bad weather or sun rays.
The bottom can have different lengths, loose, tight models are common. The most popular are:
- Straight trousers, flared, bananas, wide and narrow, joggers, tapered, with cuffs. Long trousers are in demand in winter and in the off-season, less often used in the summer.
- Cropped trousers, shorts. Can be loose or tight, ideal for warm weather.
Spacious models feel less hot. The tapered style allows you to show off your toned figure. Cuffs make your legs look slimmer and protect against grass, insects, and other external irritants getting under your clothes.
Materials and tools
A loose tracksuit is best sewn from knitted fabrics that stretch well, do not restrict movement and do not require complex adjustment to a certain size. Other materials are also used for sewing summer and winter clothes:
- Double thread. Durable, slightly rough fabric with a cotton base. Resistant to deformation, suitable for making summer items.
- Three-thread. Dense fabric with thick pile on the back side. Characterized by softness, pleasant tactile sensations during use. Used to create insulated clothing.
- Jersey. Consists of interlaced loops, connected in columns and rows. It is flexible, stretchable, soft. Suitable for summer suits.
- Viscose. Elastic fabric, fits nicely to the body, but tears easily, wrinkles strongly, absorbs moisture quickly. Clothes made from this material are worn in warm weather.
- Fukra. It is soft and attractive in appearance. It is used for sewing warm clothes.
- Fleece. Artificial knitted fiber, warms in cold weather, does not absorb moisture, dries quickly. Ideal for wearing in winter.
- Velour. Pile fabric with a velvety surface, retains heat, does not wrinkle. Suitable for use in cold weather.
To create the costume you will also need:
- sewing machine;
- needles;
- household overlock;
- marking tools.
Measurements are taken using a measuring tape. The fabric is cut with tailor's scissors, and the consumables required are threads and decorative elements.
To calculate the amount of material, you need to measure the chest, hips, sleeve length and the entire product. So, to sew trousers of size 52 with a material width of 140–150 cm, you will need 1.5–2 lengths and an allowance for hemming the bottom part.
If the model is complemented with folds, decorative elements, patch pockets, the amount of fabric used increases.
The nuances of sewing knitwear
If the fabric is made of natural fibers, it must be washed in warm water before cutting, then dried in an unfolded state. Cotton knitwear is washed several times, as it can shrink repeatedly. When sewing parts, the quality of the stitching is affected by the needles. Using a universal tool can lead to gaps or damage to the fabric.
Experts recommend sewing knitted fabrics with needles with a rounded tip. They pass between the fibers, creating optimal conditions for the formation of loops. When choosing, pay attention to the packaging and focus on the inscriptions jersey or ball point.
Before work, it is necessary to adjust the line for elastic seams so that there is no tearing. Modern sewing machines are supplemented with such a function. The parts are sewn with a zigzag line with a small stitch width. If gaps occur, the edges of the fabric are starched or covered with a sheet of paper. The elastic material must be pulled slightly towards itself.
Viscose is washed at a temperature no higher than 40 degrees before cutting. The fabric is easy to process, but some varieties have severely frayed edges. To eliminate the problem, it is necessary to increase the allowances by a few millimeters.
Stages of work
To understand how to sew women's tracksuits with your own hands, you need to consider all the stages of the process. First, measurements are taken, a pattern is created, then all the components are cut out of fabric and sewn together. Decorative elements can be used if desired.
Taking measurements
For the top part you need to measure:
- chest and waist circumference;
- the length of the shoulders, sleeves and the entire product;
- depth of cut;
- back width.
If a tight-fitting model is planned, the wrist and elbow circumference are specified.
For the bottom you will need to measure:
- waist and hip circumference;
- lifting height;
- the length of the outer and inseams.
If the product is tight-fitting, the ankle and knee circumference are also determined.
Construction of the pattern
You can take a ready-made pattern and use it to model a suitable style. In this case, individual parameters are necessarily taken into account: trousers are tapered at the ankles and knees, a smooth line is drawn along the inseam and outer seam. If the item is made of knitwear, no allowances are needed for a tight fit, this fabric will stretch and fit the figure on its own.
The top element in the form of a sweatshirt with a zipper or drawstring is also created based on a ready-made pattern, adjusted to the measurements obtained. If necessary, the sleeve is narrowed, the length is increased or decreased. To independently draw up a pattern, you will need individual sizes, on their basis the front and back shelves are created. The process is quite labor-intensive, so only experienced seamstresses can handle it.
Cutting and assembly
The layout of elements on the fabric always begins with large parts: fronts, back, sleeves. All small elements - pockets, cuffs, collar - are located in the spaces between them. Sewing a tracksuit is done according to the following algorithm:
- All elements are transferred to the fabric, taking into account the necessary allowances.
- The parts are connected to each other in the following order: darts, folds, side cuts, crotch seams (for trousers).
- Pockets are sewn in, which can be internal or patch.
- The top is folded over, leaving openings for inserting elastic.
If cuffs are planned on the top or bottom, they also need to be cut out of fabric. With a wrist circumference of 17 cm, you will need an elastic band 8 cm wide and 15 cm long.
Decorating the product
A sports suit made with your own hands will have a stylish, exclusive appearance even without decoration. But if desired, it can be additionally decorated using a variety of methods. This season, items made of fabrics such as velour and velvet, trimmed with small stones or rhinestones, which are laid out in the form of some kind of pattern, are popular. Models with stripes, slogans and inscriptions in various languages are common.
Stripes are relevant for women's suits - this is an invariable element of sports style.
Contrasting fabric inserts on the cuffs and elastic band will help to refresh the image. Various appliqués look original, lace elements bring notes of tenderness and romance. Products with fur are luxurious and unique, ideal for the winter season. When choosing the color of the fabric, it is recommended to give preference to classic tones, as well as bright cheerful shades that attract the attention of others.
A tracksuit is a universal item of clothing, intended not only for fitness classes. Products with an original design and unique decor will become the highlight of everyday looks. Every fashionista can make them on their own, and you don’t have to have any special skills to do so. It’s enough to choose the right fabric, tools, study master classes, and, if necessary, consult with an experienced seamstress.
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