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:

How to add hand mitts or a turtleneck to the Winter Base Layer

I absolutely love the Winter Base Layer for cold weather exercising - I've both run and cycled in mine and ...
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My feather-print Winter Base Layer top

So I've already shown you two versions of the Winter Base Layer top but both are really similar, both in ...
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My merino jersey Winter Base Layer top

Yesterday I talked all about the version of the Winter Base Layer top that appears in my "Sew Your Own ...
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The “Sew Your Own Activewear” Winter Base Layer

The UK release date for "Sew Your Own Activewear" is less than a week away - it's out on Friday ...
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How to widen the Yoga Bottoms’ legs

Current fashions in activewear are pretty much exclusively for a narrow, close-fitting ankle on leggings, but this wasn't always the ...
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Let’s talk about gussets

Let's all take a moment to talk about gussets - crotch gussets in particular, and what they can and can't ...
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The “Sew Your Own Activewear” Yoga Bottoms

It's a fresh new week and it's now the turn to look at the other design featured on the cover ...
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Sewing Activewear Without a Serger

One of the biggest misconceptions about sewing your own activewear seems to be that you need to have a serger/overlocker ...
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My autumn leaves Crop Top

I didn't have much time to sew samples from my book for myself while I was writing, illustrating, drafting, and ...
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The “Sew Your Own Activewear” Crop Top

I briefly mentioned the Crop Top design last week when I showed you how to add bust support into the ...
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Elastic edges 3 ways

Elastic edges three ways

Today I'd like to show you how you can change up the look of your "Sew Your Own Activewear" Vest ...
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How To Add Bust Support to the Vest Top

Earlier this week I introduced you to the Vest Top design from my "Sew Your Own Activewear" book, and today ...
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The “Sew Your Own Activewear” Vest Top

It's been a long time in the making, but it's finally time to share details of my book with you! ...
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A Houndstooth-Quilted Top & Olive Trousers

It seems like no matter how many separates I make, I always seem to need more in my wardrobe. I ...
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Sew Your Own Activewear cover

Pre-Order my Book to Get a Free Bonus Pattern!

Things are starting to ramp up with my upcoming "Sew Your Own Activewear" book now that the final, final (no ...
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Happy Halloween! Fox meets Badger…

We're not overly enthusiastic when it comes to Halloween, but give us an occasion and my god, we'll rise to ...
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A Raglan Tee full of kitties and bunnies

It's been a while since I showed you any of my finished garments, mostly because they've predominantly been using designs ...
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On location with my athlete models

My sewing activewear book won't be out til early 2018, but due to lead times in the publishing world, the ...
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London Marathon shorts and vest

This marathon has been entwined with writing my book since the day talks began with my publisher, as the deadline ...
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I’m ridiculously pleased to announce…

Those of you who've picked up the current Threads magazine may have noticed a little something in the byline of ...
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