Hi Sew Friends!

I'm really enjoying sewing my way through the @Minerva Exclusive @Terrance Williams Everybody Dance Matte Activewear Lycra collection, and this project may be one of my favorites yet. There is something so satisfying about making activewear that fits exactly how you want it to fit. Not only do you end up with something unique, but you also get to customize it to suit your body and your style.

For this project, I used the Emmy Sports Bra and Lottie Tights by Made for Mermaids. Instead of sewing them exactly as drafted, I made a few simple hacks to create a set that feels much more like me.

The first change was to the Emmy Sports Bra. I replaced the original narrow straps with wider straps for a different look. While I love the finished design, I did learn something along the way. I used the width of elastic recommended for the original pattern, but because my straps were wider, I really should have used wider elastic inside them as well. The narrower elastic works perfectly for the original design, but increasing the elastic width would have provided additional support to match the wider straps. It's definitely something I'll do the next time I make this pattern.

For the Lottie Tights, I decided to shorten them into knee-length biker shorts. It's the middle of summer, so this version will get far more wear than full-length leggings. I love looking at a pattern and asking myself, "How can I make this work even harder in my wardrobe?" Sometimes the smallest hack completely changes a garment.

One thing I always think about when sewing activewear is longevity. These garments stretch, recover, and move constantly, so a little extra stabilization goes a long way.

Inside the waistband of the biker shorts, I enclosed ½-inch elastic to help maintain the shape over time. For the sports bra, I used 1½-inch elastic in the underband for support. Around the neckline, I added clear elastic, which is commonly used in swimwear and activewear. It helps prevent the neckline from stretching out while allowing it to retain excellent recovery. Finally, I reinforced the back strap attachment points with lightweight knit fusible interfacing. Those areas experience a lot of stress, and a little reinforcement helps ensure the garment lasts through plenty of wears and washes.

Most of the construction was completed on my overlocker, which makes sewing knit fabrics and activewear so much quicker while producing beautifully stretchy seams. There were still a few steps that required my regular sewing machine, where I used either a lightning stitch or a narrow zigzag stitch to maintain the fabric's stretch.

I don't own a coverstitch machine (yet!), but if you do, this would be a fantastic project to finish on one. A coverstitch would give the hems a beautifully professional finish while maintaining all the stretch activewear needs.

Now let's talk about this fabric because it truly deserves the spotlight. The Minerva Exclusive Terrance Williams Everybody Dance Matte Activewear Lycra has a wonderfully smooth matte finish with excellent stretch and recovery. It feels comfortable against the skin, offers great support without feeling restrictive, and sews beautifully. The fabric handled every technique I threw at it—from elastic insertion to topstitching—without any issues, making it a pleasure to work with from start to finish.

One of my favorite things about Terrance Williams' collections is how vibrant and full of personality they are. This print instantly makes me smile, and it's exactly the kind of fabric that motivates me to make pieces I'll actually wear. In fact, I'm hoping this new set is the motivation I need to get back into the gym after taking a much longer break than I intended!

If you'd like to make your own version, you can find the patterns here:

Emmy Sports Bra & Lottie Tights Bundle: https://www.madeformermaids.com/product/emmylottiebundle/?affiliates=50108

Emmy Sports Bra: https://www.madeformermaids.com/product/emmy/?affiliates=50108

Lottie Tights: https://www.madeformermaids.com/product/lottie/?affiliates=50108

Overall, this project reminded me why I love hacking patterns. A few thoughtful modifications can transform an already great design into something that perfectly suits your wardrobe and your lifestyle. I'm thoroughly enjoying sewing my way through the Everybody Dance collection, and I already have my eye on my next project.

Until next time…

Happy Sewing!

#MinervaMakes #MinervaBrandAmbassador #Sewing #ActivewearSewing #MadeForMermaids #MeMadeWardrobe #twdxminerva #terrancewilliams #terrancewilliamsdesigns #twdminerva