Finishing Touches That Make Your Activewear Look Store-Bought (Minus the Price Tag)

You’ve cut, pinned, and stitched your way through your new activewear project (go you!). But if you want that “did you buy that?” reaction — not the “oh, you made that” one — the magic is all in the finishing.

Finishing touches can take your project from good effort to good enough to sell, and spoiler alert: it’s not hard. You just need the right tricks up your sleeve. So let’s get your makes looking legit.

1. Topstitch Like a Pro

If there’s one thing that screams ready-to-wear, it’s neat, confident topstitching.

Topstitching:

• Flattens your seams

• Keeps elastics in place

• Adds that sleek, athletic look you see in high-end brands

Try this:

• A cover stitch machine is perfect here, but if you don't have one, you can use a twin needle for parallel stitches (chef’s kiss).

• Match your thread colour to your fabric for subtle polish — or go bold with contrast stitching for sporty vibes.

• Keep your tension balanced and test first on a scrap (your future self will thank you).

🎯 Pro tip: Stretch the fabric slightly while topstitching to avoid popped threads later — your leggings will thank you when you hit that deep squat.

2. Nail That Elastic Finish

Elastic can make or break your garment — literally. Whether it’s a waistband, bra band, or leg hem, the key is stretch, stitch, and smooth.

Here’s how to keep it pro:

• Use a zigzag or coverstitch to secure elastic edges.

• Divide your elastic and garment into quarters before stitching so it’s evenly distributed (no wavy waistbands, please).

• Always sew elastic slightly stretched — not so much that it looks like it’s begging for mercy, but just enough to recover nicely.

3. Press Like You Mean It

Okay, hear us out — pressing might sound boring, but it’s your secret weapon. A good press makes seams crisp, hems clean, and your project look instantly elevated.

Use a press cloth to protect synthetic fabrics, and low heat (trust us, melted nylon is not a good look). Press from the wrong side and use steam sparingly.

👉 Pro tip: Press as you go, not just at the end. Every step looks sharper when you take a few seconds to flatten it out.

4. Trim, Clean, and Label

You’ve come this far — don’t let stray threads or messy insides ruin your masterpiece.

• Trim threads neatly inside and out.

• Secure serger tails by threading them back into the seam.

• Add a label! (Bonus points if it says something fun like “Made by Me,” or “One of a Kind.”)

Little details like that are what separate “cute DIY” from “ready to retail.”

5. Give It the Wear Test

Before you show off your new fit, put it through the real test — move, stretch, sweat, repeat. If everything stays smooth, comfy, and intact, congrats: you just made designer-quality activewear for a fraction of the cost.

Now go ahead, brag a little. You earned it.

Ready to Take It Up a Notch?

Grab your Activewear Patterns, stock up on performance fabrics in our Shop, and keep an eye out for our next post about Sewing Swimwear — because your summer wardrobe deserves the same pro treatment.