Changing pace

In my last post I mentioned I was considering whether to do a race or not - in the end I decided not to and handed my number to a member of my running club. He got an awesome time and I'm really glad that I didn't force myself through it!

Last week I  played my first ever game of rugby, during which I managed to break a toe, so I've been forced to stop doing most of the exercise that I normally enjoy. In all honesty, though, I was being pretty lazy beforehand. I've found it really hard to motivate myself to get outside when it's been so cold and dark in the evenings. So while there's a chance that I'd be fine on my bike, I don't want to make things worse (or get stranded down my hill), I'm ticking the boxes by eating well, doing lots of walking, and using my excess energy up on HIIT style workouts so that I can come back strong!

While I'm almost nostalgic for HIIT workouts because it's been so long, it is hard and there's no way that it can fill all my time, so I'm using the spare time to get things done. Normally "go for a run/ride" is pretty much constantly at or near the top of my to do list, and without them I've found it relatively easy to finish a few long-term projects.

My Agnes top on kitty jersey (from eBay)

First up, crafts! I've been planning to make this top for a few months now, and this Sunday, I just did it. Not without cutting out two left sleeves, but never mind. This was the second item of clothing that I've made from scratch, and also my second Agnes top (pattern by tillyandthebuttons.com). It went much quicker since I already had the pattern cut out from my first (pink, stripy) effort. I guess it counts as my first "pattern hack" too, since I changed the front neckline, as the neckline on Agnes is really low and I want to be covered up in this weather. The result looks like pyjamas, but I've worn it out anyway, under a gilet, as I think it's really cute!


I've also sewn up a few gift bags and a cushion that have turned out quite nicely, and on top of that I've been experimenting with the double needle on my sewing machine, and tried out an edge-joining presser foot to tidy up my topstitching. The double needle worked fine once I'd tweaked the tension, but the presser foot has been returned as (despite assurances), it wasn't actually compatible with my machine.

This weekend I'll be sewing up my first Bettine dress (also from Tilly and the Buttons) from this crazy 80s viscose, so hopefully next week I'll be looking pretty cheerful!

If you've managed not to break a toe then share your tips, or just let me know what you're up to and give me sport envy!

Nicky xx