I’ve sewn activewear for a few years now.
Lessons learned
When I first started working with activewear fabric I got it wrong for a lot of reasons.
- I didn’t understand how to finish the seams properly
- The fabrics I chose didn’t have enough recovery or were a one-way stretch
- I kept choosing cotton/lycra that show sweat and don’t breathe well.
- The elastic I used wasn’t designed for activewear.
In June guest post Susan of Measuretwicecutonce talked about so many aspects of activewear from her industry knowledge. And the technology behind activewear has improved in leaps and bounds.
Environment
Where I live we don’t get really cold winters and our weather is usually mild to hot and humid. When I train I need as much support through the clothes I wear.
I train in a gym at 6am in the morning and the air con hasn’t quiet kicked in as yet. The spin class is dominated by guys who don’t like the fans on but they are very well trained to mop the floor up at the end of the class. My Funkifabric makes can take the heat.
Why Funkifabrics
The fabrics I’ve been using from Funkifabrics have been provided by Funkifabrics.
So what have I found so far?
- The fabric is a good weight to work with on my sewing machine, overlocker and coverstitch machines. Does this make a difference? Yes it does. This means I can grab any pattern and sew it up in a couple hours because it runs through these machines without fear of the fabric getting chewed up.
- The prints don’t run and are true to their colour. I machined washed these fabrics and hung them out to dry on a stinking hot day. The duathlons have been worn again and again since I made them.
- Funkifabrics feel soft. I’ve used lots of harsh feeling activewear fabric and put up with it because that’s all I could get. At times, I would also fully line swimsuits because the fabric print was great but the fabric was thin. Lining makes a lot of difference and if it’s good lining, it hugs/holds me in place.
- The fabric moves with me and supports me. That includes the Funkifabrics lining too. It has to be the technology behind the manufacture of these fabrics. These fabrics aren’t your ‘run-of-the-mill poly with a bit of spandex’.
Cycling
I’ve yet to test the fabric as cycling gear and with the hot months ahead and more daylight hours, I’ll make up a cycling kit and let you know how this fabric fares after a morning’s road ride in the heat. Deal. Now to get cracking.
Sample sheet
I’ve you’re read this whole post you’ll realise I’ve shown you the Funkifabrics prints I’m working with. These were all chosen from their website. As Winnie mentions in her Funkifabric post, you can order a sample sheet of Funkifabrics latest autumn prints. I made my choices from their website and I’ve kept a bunch of other prints I like in my Funkifabric account for future reference.
Sewing queue
I have a bunch of Jalie and KwikSew makes that I’ve just finished for myself and the youngest DN. This weekend has been hot so that spurred me to finish a couple of bathers and other beachwear.
velosews 
Very nice. Love that blue scaly one.
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I have never made activewear but you now have me thinking I may give it a try some day. I look forward to seeing your end products!
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Are the fabrics all wicking fabrics? I love the patterns.
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It sews up nicely too.
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Thanks Tomasa. Once you find your feet with knits, they're fairly straightforward to sew.
I love your b/w shirt. You have such accurate sewing skills.
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I like the pattern range and colours.
The prints I've got are
printed on polyester. It
isn't a technical fabric which draws moisture from the
body.
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Thank you for the great information!
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Hi Melinda,
I use these fabrics to make my daughters' leotards and she loves them! They're definitely wicking as she competes in gymnastic/dance competitions in her leotards made with this fabric!!
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