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Puff sleeve workout top

A Puff Sleeve on a Workout Top?

Can you put puff sleeves on a workout top? To be honest, not even I, a puff sleeve aficionado, thought this was possible until I saw this top from G. Sport (a Gwyneth/Goop brand). So I decided to give it a try, and now I’m happy I did!

Now, these are very subtle puff sleeves, I drafted the pattern and found it a little hard to gauge how much “puff” will be achieved when doing the slashing and reshaping of the sleeve head.

I also added width and gathers around the hem since I wanted a top that didn’t cling since I’m currently kinda over those snug ones.

Shirt Ventilation

I added mesh inserts in the back as well, since I find that it really helps with the ventilation. I tend to perspire a fair bit, especially in the summer, so it’s nice to have something that doesn’t get soggy wet as soon as a start moving around.

So are there any drawbacks with these sleeves? I have discovered a small one, and that is that the cuffs cut into the biceps a little bit while doing high cable rows. So if you are doing a lot of those sort of exercises a cuff band is probably not a great idea.

Lots of volume in the back as well. This top is incredibly comfortable to wear!

This is currently the top that I reach for first when I have washed all my workout wear, which speaks a lot about how much I like it. I plan to do more variations of this style in the future since it’s pretty easy to alter using different fabrics or shape the yokes in various ways.

I even wore when I ran a half-marathon this weekend, and I’m happy to report that it works very well for long distance running too!

9 Comments

  • COREY HILL
    May 21, 2019 at 8:03 pm

    Unrelated question, the tights that you made that you are wearing in this post and in your race, I wanted to know how you did the elastic for them. I think you used 2 thin elastics in the top and bottom part of the waistband. I have noticed this technique on rtw tights and some bengaline pull on pants. Could you describe what/how to do it, and the type of elastic to use. I also think you can’t make the elastic too small so that it doesn’t looked too gathered but sits nicely around the waist. Thanks – Corey

    Reply
    • Johanna
      May 23, 2019 at 8:07 am

      I use a narrow elastic (clear or knitted) in the upper waistband seam allowance and then usually as you mention power net as underlining. This combo is perfect for a well-fitting stable waistband that doesn’t feel constraining. And yes, I use the same length of the elastic as the circumference of the waistband, this prevents gathers and the waistband usually has a negative easy anyways. Hope that helps!

      Reply
      • COREY HILL
        May 23, 2019 at 4:57 pm

        Yes it answers all my question on getting professional results that i see in rtw. I’m making some running tight plus using stretch bengaline for very form fitting golf trousers, I have a pair and I really love confort on the waist band, and it stays up, and hugs my body.

        Reply
  • COREY HILL
    May 22, 2019 at 7:01 pm

    I just looked at you power mesh tutorial for the waist band, i would have not thought of it. I think I am just confused at how they do the waist band in the industry. By the way, I am just getting into sewing more active wear for myself and just looking for industry professional results.

    Reply
  • Adrianne
    May 23, 2019 at 1:53 pm

    Congrats! Your top and running tights look amazing!

    Reply
  • KDW Apparel
    July 2, 2019 at 10:30 am

    Good collection!

    Reply
  • Jenny
    July 11, 2019 at 12:57 pm

    What fabric did you use for the non-mesh part of your top

    Reply

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