New Years Resolutions and a Rigel Bomber

If there's one thing that I've learnt since I became a teacher, is that there is no point making new years resolutions when the new year actually rolls around. 'Start exercising during my 5 week break?' Not likely! 'Quit weekday wine while on summer holidays?' Never!! 'Stop eating junk food?' Impossible!

So while the rest of the world made their new years resolutions over a month ago, I've only just made mine. The first and only major one, is to try to fit in more exercise this year (I'm sure I have more than one friend rolling around in laughter as they read this right now). I've never been much of an exerciser. I wish I were. I purchased my first pair of joggers in well over a decade last October. I also purchased some sports tights (never again though - so simple to make, what was I thinking!) and a Jawbone, which I love! My sports attire is equally old. Take for example, my only track jacket.

Gotta love that baggy 90's style Nike goodness!

My husband purchased this for me when I was 17. It was 1997 and it was OK to wear big brand sports clothes even when you weren't exercising (I believe some people still do...) We wore bootleg jeans, sometimes with rips, surf brand t-shirts and Ally McBeal style skirts - short, tight and slightly slutty - nice! Like most 17 year olds, I didn't have a great sense of style. As you can see, this 'vintage' Nike jacket is in almost pristine condition. I didn't wear it for long as a fashion jacket and haven't exercised much since.

Now that I've made a resolution to exercise more, it seems only fitting that I kit myself out in some new sportswear. This is where the Rigel Bomber by Papercut Patterns will fit in my wardrobe.

I came across some criticism from friends when I first mentioned my desire to make a bomber jacket. I love Sophie's and Debbie's though, so I stuck to my plan and began looking all over Sydney for suitable fabric, but alas! I couldn't find anything just right. Then I stumbled upon this glittery purple/black marle ponte at Pitt Trading and purchased it, thinking it might just work.

 

Unfortunately, the finished product screams sportswear, rather than fashion wear. :(

Oh yeah! Exercising! Adele found this photo hilarious!

 

I have tried styling it with a variety of tops and a black pencil skirt, but I just don't think that it works for me.

Regardless, it is made, it looks good and it fits well. As the fabric is thick and stretchy, it functions quite well as sports wear.

So to review the pattern: I made a size XS and the fit is spot on. To add a little interest I made variation 2, adding black and charcoal sparkly ponte fabric to geometric details on the shoulders. As I had run out of good ribbing, I purchased some cotton/poly blend stuff from Spotlight, so I am not confident that it will last. As I didn't think the ponte would be easy to construct the welt pockets, I left them off which made this a very speedy make. Will I make it again?? I'm not sure. I think it works well as sportswear, but I don't think I'm cool enough to pull this style off day to day. Maybe I just need to find the right fabric.

So back to the resolution to exercise more. Can I be a bit more specific about my goals? Well, I do struggle to find time to get out and exercise with me working 4 days, the husband working 6 days and studying two nights, kids sport committments and retaining a little sanity sewing time, but I am going to try. I'm hoping at least one night to attend a yoga class and after a trial run yesterday with the kids on their bikes, I'm hoping I can squeeze in at least one run (while pushing Adele up hills) per week. I think I'll also commit to maintaining 10,000 steps at least 5 days of the week. This will be tracked with my Jawbone.

 I'm feeling a bit cooler here - though it is over 35 degrees outside!

I'll probably also quit drinking wine on weeknights and eat healthier food, but that's all!

So tell me - do you make resolutions each year? How are you tracking with them so far??

Cost:
Pattern: Rigel Bomber by Papercut Patterns, on sale = $24
Fabric: 1.5m black/purple sparkly ponte from Pitt Trading = $18
Ribbing: 50cm cotton/poly ribbing from Spotlight = $6
Zipper: $3.50??
Interfacing: from stash
Total: $51.50 - Yikes! I might have to make this pattern again to get better value!

One final note: I think I may have now installed Disqus on my blog. I really struggle to reply to most comments on my blog as many people do not have an email address tied to their Google account. I'm hoping through using Disqus to answer questions and personally respond to you. I hope not too many people are offended by this change. I have found it quite easy with other blogs. Simply leave details with the first comment and all comments after will be faster. Fingers crossed it all works. Let me know via email if you have a problem littlebettysews at optusnet dot com dot au. :)