Recycling running tops
I recently recycled two old running tops into one racer back tee and I wanted to share it here with a few more details. After I shared this project on Instagram, a few people reached out to say that they were inspired by this make. If you've run (or done any exercise, but I'm a runner so I'm going to talk about running) regularly for a while, you've probably amassed a supply of activewear. Specialist wicking fabric can be hard to source if you want to make your own, but free t-shirts from races are commonplace and the people who were kind enough to comment or DM me after I shared this project said they were inspired to recycle their freebie tees. I'm then going to follow their lead in my next version, the inspiration cycle continues!
This pink project was the result of two activewear tees that my bestie donated me years ago. I like the high viz colour but the old tees were looking a bit worse for wear and were a tight fitting t-shirt style right up in my armpits. I've come to realise that I like a looser fit and prefer a racer back for keeping cool when I'm training.
I used the Christine Haynes Rumi Tank, which is a stalwart of mine. I shortened it by a couple of inches, having found previous versions to be too long, but otherwise made no alterations. I had to Frankenstein the fabric together, cutting in single layers rather than on the fold and adding 3/8" seam allowance to the centre front to allow the two front and two back pieces to be sewn up the centre. I then topstitched the seam flat with a zigzag and matching thread (I used 100% recycled polyester Gutermann thread you can buy in the shop). I also had to cut the back straps in two sections but overall I don't think it's at all noticeable.
I'm really pleased how this turned out and I recently wore it to run the Edinburgh Women's 10km. It was my second 10km but the first for which I'd properly trained. I listened to a lot of podcasts on nutrition and training in the run up to the race and felt much more prepared than I did for my last one, back in 2017. In the longer run I would like to run a half marathon but first I want to nail the 10km. I feel a sub-60 time in my future...
The free Edinburgh Women's 10km t-shirt runs small and again, it's a classic tee fit. This means it's right up in my oxters and I know I'm not going to feel comfortable wearing it. My plan is to convert it to another racer back using this stretch jersey from the shop. It's a black tee with yellow stripes so I thought combining it with a yellow fabric would give me enough to do the conversion, whilst still looking intentional. I'll report back in a future newsletter, I've not run in the stretch jersey before so it'll be an experiment. Fingers crossed it's not too sweaty!
