Hang on….before you roll your eyes and pass the page, hear me out.
Every year, I mark in my agenda a list of things I would like to do and sadly, at the end of every year, I usually see that more than half are not accomplished. Â At the top of my list of things that never seems to get accomplished is “Exercise more, lose weight and get rid of the clothes you do not wear”. Â Why is that, I wonder?
If someone phoned me right now and said let's go to the gym, I would find that I HATE MY CURRENT WORKOUT CLOTHES.  This is not because they are ugly clothes, but because they are all the wrong size.  I'm ashamed to admit that I purchased the wrong size on purpose — in a smaller size, of course– because I was sure that any day now I was going to wake up and suddenly be the size my gym clothes actually are.  Sure thing right…
Well, I have had these same thoughts for the last 17 years, and this year I am determined to change that.  My main motivation is –yes, you guessed it– health.  I sit at my desk for far too long in front of the computer and am perpetually tired.  I constantly wish for more energy so I could accomplish all that I set out to do.
However, wishing alone is not going to get me there, nor is blaming my wardrobe for my lack of enthusiasm and motivation to hit the gym. Â My solution? I am going to design a workout wardrobe that will make me feel comfortable at the gym without making me depressed about the roll around my waist.
By the way, when I mention “the gym” it is a hypothetical place in my mind. Â I actually dislike the real gym because I usually find it full of “energizer bunnies” instead of people like me who take a water break every two minutes. Â I dislike the gym when is full of people but also when is empty because I get bored from being alone. Â Exercising for me needs to be a team activity. Â I work better with a bit of competition and laughter.
I have put a short list of the things I will be working on and sharing with you over the coming year. Â You'll see that there is a variety of different garments in this new workout wardrobe mainly because I get bored with the same routine and need to change the venue for exercising. Â The design of these items will be targeted at loose-fitting tops and pants at the beginning progressing as the days get warmer into more fitted workout outfits. Â Here's what we'll be working on:
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Loose-fitting workout wardrobe
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Yoga leggings and pants
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Sports bra and crop tops
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Comfortable underwear
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Tennis dress
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Riding pants and top
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Shorts
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A line t-shirts
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Swimsuit
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Golf outfit
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Skating outfit
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Ballroom dancing gown/dress
I got you with the last one, didn't I?  Yes, we will be making a dress to hit the dance floor.  I can't wait.
I do hope that you will join me on this journey of creating a new workout wardrobe. Â Have you got any New Year's resolutions to get you motivated to exercise more? Â Help us all by sharing your thoughts in the comments below or send me an email at mayra(at)so-sew-easy.com. Â Happy New Year and happy sewing!
I’m so glad to see this range, Mayra – I can never find gym tops that work as I want. And, yes, I have several that are too small!
I would love to see a new update of the workout wardrobe. I have not seen anything about it since you posted the swimsuit sewing tips. Thanks
Hi Deb, thanks for the reminder 🙂
I love your patterns and instructions. I wish I had more time to sew. Thank you for sharing your beautiful designs.
You are welcome Paulette, (Love your name, btw) I might use it on a dress or bag. I guess you are a busy girl, and at the end of the day, you are tired. Hope you make the effort to sew and make a happy corner for yourself. I took over my dining room and have stopped watching the news. Nothing good or inspirational there anyways.
Mayra, I am a new follower and just wanted to thank you for this great pattern! I can’t wait to see the rest of the pieces as they come. Too bad I can’t wait to work out until I finish all the clothes! Thanks again!
Welcome Carol, let me know how else I can make your stay more pleasant!
I’m a Pilates Instructor so I’m super excited to make my own kit. What a fantastic idea thanks Mayra
Golf outfit, please! Just started my summer league and want to look terrific–even if my golf score isn’t!
Now we are talking! 🙂 skirt, dress or shorts what is your preference?
Would love the golf skirt or dress! WOO-HOO! Can’t wait to get started! Thank you!
Hi, Deb, you are welcome, planning a dress. Still hunting for the right fabric.
Can’t wait to see what you come up with….
Hi Deb, there are a few patterns out on this topic. Here is the summary so far.https://so-sew-easy.com/workout-wardrobe-progress-report/
Hi Mayra, will you have tutorials for the yoga leggings & the crop top yet
HI Ivette, working on them not ready yet. Soon, Stay tuned!
Can you tell me what patterns you have made so far? I would like to save the patterns for when I have time to make them. Thank you!
Yes Mary, I am on it. Soon you will have it.
I love your idea. Please make things loose fitting. I have COPD and really need to get back to my exercising. My husband keeps encouraging me to get back to doing them but, like you, I keep too busy on this darn computer to do it until it’s too late in the day.
I think you and I need to get the exercising in the morning before we run out of energy and will power. What do you think?
Sports bra please!!!
Here you go: https://so-sew-easy.com/sports-bra-pattern-gym-wardrobe/
Have you made the shorts/leggings patterns?
Not yet Angie, soon!
You’re a super hero, and all of us out here love your designs!!! I’d love to see how you’d tackle a sarong type one-piece bathing suit similar to this: The style is flattering because of the draped stretch diagonally across the front, and it works great on those of us who like the look of a skirted suit but don’t like how skirts float up under your arm pits when you’re in the water. If anyone can come up with a great design–it would be you. XO
Hi Debby, I have to say I had a huge laugh when I read your comment about the skirt coming up to our armpits. Due to copyright issues I could not let the link you send to show here, but yes the pattern is not difficult to make, it is the construction that will be a bit of a challenge, because you will need an intimate understanding of your serger. I will have to think about how to work around this issue. Thanks for the challenge 🙂
what a great idea. I might have missed some, so
where and how can I find the other 5 patterns belonging to this series?
thanks
HI I will make a post with all the links so you can pin it.