Wattle Tracksuit

Your weekend wardrobe just got a glow-up! (enter: the Peppermint Wattle Tracksuit)

Limber up sewists, the Peppermint Wattle Tracksuit pattern is ready to take you from the couch to coffee runs and cardio. The multi-customisable Wattle is a two-part pattern featuring a snuggly drop-shoulder hoodie and tapered joggers, both with nifty ribbed details. Where you take the pattern from there is entirely up to you… a crossover or funnel neck hood, two pocket options, matchy-matchy fabrics or minimalistic muted tones – what’ll it be?!

The Wattle is not a simple sew, but she’s not as tough as she looks. The construction itself is fairly straight-forward, but we’ve thrown in a few fancy details here and there (see: spliced bodice, piping options and colour-blocking potential). If you have the derring-do to take on knit fabrics and sew buttonholes in stretchy fabrics, you’ve got this one made.

In terms of the hood, the pattern allows for either a crossover or funnel neck. The hoodie can be made with kangaroo or in-seam pockets; there are slash pockets for the joggers (in a contrasting fabric, if that’s how you like to roll); and we’ve included an optional patch pocket to adorn the derriere.

The joggers are a classic fit. Think: waist-sitting, thigh-loving – but not too loving – with a beautiful taper to a ribbed cuff at the ankle. Naturally, there’s an elastic waistband (because if there’s not an elastic waist, it’s not suited to Sunday feasting/lounging – and that kind of tracksuit has no place in your life).

We’re sewing for comfort here, so in terms of fabrics you want something soft and with a bit of stretch, like a French terry, sweater knit or fleece.

For our versions we chose the ‘See You At Six’ french terry in Tofu Beige for the patterned hoodie and our joggers and black hoodie were sewn from Australian Good Earth Cotton French Terry in Black. Ribbed details were made using Australian Organic Heavy Ribbing in Black. The piping on the black hoodie was made with ‘See You At Six’ french terry in Autumn Maple Orange. We also used Vilene Knit fusible interfacing and a flat drawstring cord for this make. All this and MUCH more is available from our pal and pattern sponsor, Maaidesign.

A fabric shop built by a sewist, for sewists, Maaidesign is based in Victoria’s High Country. Frustrated by not being able to find clothes that fitted well, founder Maaike dusted off her sewing machine and started making her own. Soon, she was sourcing joyful, quality fabrics to share with fellow sewists searching for the same thing. Today, Maaidesign is a one-stop shop for thoughtfully curated fabrics, patterns and sewing supplies, all chosen to look beautiful and stay that way wash after wash. Maaike also hosts Modern Makers, a warm and welcoming online sewing community offering fitting support, masterclasses, pattern credits, sewing challenges and genuine friendship. (She describes it as “a quiet corner of the internet for sewists of all levels”, and we couldn’t agree more.) Better still, Maaidesign’s support helped make the Peppermint Wattle Tracksuit possible. Thanks, Maaike!

• Instruction booklet
• A0 format patterns (copy shop) (hoodie and joggers)
• A4/US letter format pattern (print at home) (hoodie and joggers)

PHOTOS: Katie Weychardt
MODEL/SEWIST/INSTRUCTIONS: Laura Jackson 
PATTERNMAKER: Betsy - Garmenta Apparel
FABRIC: MAAIDESIGN