Sew Your Own Activewear

Sew Your Own Activewear cover

“Sew Your Own Activewear” is the debut book from FehrTrade founder and activewear sewing specialist Melissa Fehr. In this book you’ll learn how to sew, fit, and adapt the included four basic block patterns into thirteen different activewear designs, including:

Additionally, you’ll learn how to sew robust seams (on an overlocker/serger or standard sewing machine), select appropriate activewear fabrics, and adapt patterns to your specific sporting requirements including:

  • Add a gusset to any leggings
  • Convert standard sleeves to raglan
  • Sew 8(!!) different kinds of pockets
  • Adjust for 21 common fit issues
  • Sew a wide, yoga-style waistband
  • Add a thumb-cuff to any top without hand sewing
  • And sew much more!


The book is full colour, paperback, 128 pages, published by SewAndSo, and includes pull-out patterns for four basic blocks (See included block size range here). It was released on 26 January 2018 in the UK and 20 March 2018 in the USA.

You can buy from Amazon UK, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Amazon France, Amazon Germany, and Amazon Australia. A list of independent book sellers stocking my book are listed in this post.

NEW!! There is also a German translation of the book available! Näh dir deine Sportswear: Aus Jersey, Sweat, Fleece und Softshell contains the exact same designs, illustrations, photos, and information, just in German instead of English. And it’s in hardback!

Hint – you don’t have to have bought it from Amazon to leave a review! 😉

Or you can also buy the English language version from my publisher, David and Charles (formerly Sew And So)’s site. The digital version (also available on Amazon Kindle or Barnes & Noble’s Nook) comes with access to download the block patterns in both Print at Home (A4 and US Letter compatible) and Copy Shop (A0 and 36in wide compatible) versions and these are also layered pdfs. Alternatively, you can download the digital versions of the patterns even if you’ve bought the printed edition (see page 19 of your book for details).

Also note that there is a NEW additional “Compression Fitting Bottom Block” pattern developed after the publication of the book. This is available as a free download for owners of the English or German editions. Find out more here.

You can see finished versions of the garments from the book from readers all over the world in our Pinterest Gallery here.

Read more about the book:

A bonus white and mustard ringer tee

When I was cutting out my white Issy top, I ended up with a decent amount of fabric leftover due ...
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A sunny bamboo top and matching headband

I don't buy fabric very often, but I recently fell headfirst into a few sales of shops which stock one ...
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My vintage-inspired BIRTHDAY merino cycling jersey

Happy "over a week late but still my" birthday to me!! If you aren't following me on social media (I ...
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Buy my book – without Amazon

If you or someone you know would like the gift of sewing their own activewear, but you're not keen on ...
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Striped wrap shorts and a white Raglan Tee

"More shorts?!" I hear you say! (Especially if you've also been experiencing our English summer) As I said in my ...
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A Lucha Libre kitties teeshirt

Happy Friday everyone! I sewed this a few weeks ago when I was in desperate need of a pick-me-up so ...
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A green gratitude teeshirt

These are weird times. Apart from my birthday dress, I've really only been sewing face masks for myself, J, family ...
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Digital cityscape compression leggings

The third pair of compression leggings I wanted to share with you were actually made before the other two pairs, ...
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Red Cold Gear compression leggings

The second pair of compression leggings I made for myself using our new Compression Fitting Bottom Block pattern was one ...
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Muted floral compression leggings

Thank you all for the enthusiasm for our new (free!) Compression Fitting Bottom Block pattern! Even though these are the ...
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New “Compression fitting bottom block” pattern!

My "Sew Your Own Activewear" book was released nearly two years ago (and written three years ago!), and I'm very ...
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A three-piece rainbow RideLondon 100 cycling set

Strap in, because this is an epic post for three finished garments and a 100 mile cycle ride! When I ...
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All things sportswear in Berlin + signed books shipping NOW!

It was all a bit last-minute that I was going to be in Berlin last week at all, let alone ...
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London Marathon Active Shorts

On Sunday I ran London marathon for the 4th time, but it was my 7th marathon in total, all since ...
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Pleather Yoga Bottoms – perfect party wear!

I've had the idea of using the Yoga Bottoms from my "Sew Your Own Activewear" book for non-activewear use for ...
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A pale blue running Raglan Tee

I've had the idea of this top in my head for quite a while, and the fabric in my stash ...
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Empowering Slogan Tees

If you remember in my Fall 18 sewing plans, I wanted to make a teeshirt using the Fashion Revolution slogan ...
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A snuggly yellow Raglan Tee

Happy Friday everyone! The weather is so drab and grey here in London that I thought it was worth posting ...
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Activewear Sewing Myths

After years of sewing my own activewear, producing 13 patterns, teaching multiple classes, and even writing my "Sew Your Own ...
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Two bamboo teeshirts

I had just about a meter leftover from the lovely Raystitch bamboo jerseys I used for the samples on my ...
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