Running......


Over the summer months and into the autumn, I have been running.  I did have myself pegged as a fair weather runner and fancied the idea of indoor exercise over the winter months.  It came as a complete surprise to discover that I actually like running on crisp winter days and even don't mind the rain....who knew!  This did though throw up a problem....what to wear!  My summer leggings were leaving me a little pink around the calves and I was forced to borrow my daughters jacket on several occasions.  My other raincoat is too long and restricts my movement, so I needed something a little more fitted.  I love Courteney's raincoat and the way it is longer in the back than the front or duck tailed as my kids would describe it.  A permanent solution needed to be found.  I started to draft myself a pattern based on Courteney's jacket when I had a stroke of genius.  My Jalie jacket pattern would be perfect with some modification.


I cut out my usual sweatshirt size in some Goretex from my stash, but added 3cm to each side panel and the arms for some movement and lengthened the entire jacket which mean't no need for a bottom band.  I also removed all of the panels in the back and the sleeves which reduced the risk of water soaking through at the seams.  I then lengthened the sleeves so I could put in an elastic casing.



While I am running, I like to listen to my Ipod so, I put a button hole in one of the pockets so I could thread my headphones through.



To make sure my Ipod and house keys actually stay in my pocket, I added zips beneath the pocket placket which proved to be quite a simple procedure and was worth the little bit of extra effort for the security it provides.



To stop the rain soaking through my zip, I added a zip placket down the entire length of the jacket once my jacket was complete.  A snap at each end of the placket ensures it stays closed, even on the most blustery of days.  The finishing touch involved spraying all of the seams with some silicone spray to avoid watering wicking through the seams.  I then tested the waterproofing by running in a torrential downpour for the best part of an hour.  There was some minor dampness on the inside of the jacket at the end but my underclothes were completely dry.....score!




It happens that this jacket performs equally as well as a wind breaker for a bit of recreational weekend cycling.

For the record, this is the 12th version of this jacket that this pattern has been used for.  You really can't get better value for money than that.


Comments

  1. Andrea that's such a great rain jacket and I love all the little details you've added to make it perfect for you. I think my favourite might be the button hole for your ear phones - so simple but so effective.

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    1. I have my daughter to thank for that one. Trust a teenager to think of electronic gadgets!

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  2. There are a lot of great details on this jacket...sounds like a lot of work, but so worth it! I am the opposite to you...I don't know if I'll be able to keep running in the summer here because it is so hot. We are in the middle of winter and our minimums are 25°C.

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    1. I don't mind running on the summer but try to avoid it when the temperature rises above 30 degrees. I also try to avoid it when it is plunging towards zero like it can do at this time of the year. There really is no pleasing some people is there ;)

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  3. I am quite impressed with the thought you put into the jacket. It came out really nice.

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  4. Wow, you're twelfth version?! No wonder it looks so professionally finished! I love the little touches you added like the button hole for your headphones ad the extra zippers. It look great!

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    1. I must admit, not all 12 were made by me. Some of them were made by my daughter!

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  5. Your jacket is amazing - looks so professionally made, and I'm so impressed with all those well thought out details.

    BTW that countryside looks familiar - I've just come back from a week in Methven... I meant to contact you, but then I got a bit shy!

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    1. Thanks! You should have contacted me. It would have been great to meet up. I can understand the shyness bit though! I wonder how brave I will be when I visit Sydney later in the year!

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    2. Sorry! I know I should have but I felt so awkward - and of course I wish I had now... so I hope you feel up to a meetup in Sydney :)

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  6. Your jacket is such a clever interpretation of that pattern. I have made this dozens of times in polar fleece but would never have thought of its possibilities as a running jacket in Gortex without your post. I love your extra details, but I am curious, the hood is so close fitting in the stretch, how did you change it for your windjacket? Did you line the hood? Can you tell I want to copy your terrific idea ;).....

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    1. I actually find that I can wear the hood as the pattern intended over my cap in the rain and wind snugly enough that I don't need a cord to pull it tight. It may not work for everyone but does for me. I didn't line any of it because I wanted it light weight. I wanted a rain come windbreaker but don't want to overheat.

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