Wednesday 7 April 2010

Me-Made-May: Join Me!


If you read my previous post, you will already be aware of what I would like to formally announce here: the Me-Made-May Challenge! Hot on the heels of a successful Me-Made-March wearing only items made by my own fair hands (excluding bras, socks, tights and shoes), the concept is returning but this time I aim to make it bigger, brighter, more colourful and more fun. Details of how I personally plan to do this will be disclosed in future posts.

But the most important distinction between Me-Made-March and Me-Made-May is that YOU TOO can play!!!!! However, do not fear, I am not suggesting you go all out as I plan to do. Maybe you would prefer 'Me-Made-May-Lite', in which you aim to wear at least one handmade garment each day throughout May. OR, if you haven't been sewing that long and/or feel you don't have enough handmade garments but still want to play (as some lovely commenters have stated), why don't you try and wear one handmade item a day for a week, or only at the weekends throughout May?

Already many lovely and creative seamsters have 'signed up' but, as with almost every activity I can think of, the more the merrier! So please publicise this challenge on your blog if you have one, including a link to this post if you would be so kind, as a means of explanation. If you do want to get involved, please leave me a comment on this or the previous post including a link to your blog if you have one. As May draws closer, I will create a Me-Made-May Support Group post linking everyone who is involved in whatever way who wishes to be linked.

From my experience of Me-Made-March, you really don't need to have as many handmade garments as you might think. You may recall, for the majority of the month I alternated between just two tops! A lot of the challenge (and fun) is taking what you have made and working out different outfits to work it into. And if you have a blog, don't forget to document any preparations on the run up to May, and the handmade garments in action throughout the month itself!

Oh, and if you are wondering what the Me-Made-May Support Group might look like, possibly it would be something like this!:


91 comments:

Rachel said...

I would love to join you Zoe! Although I might go for the 'lite' option, it will be winter here and I don't have a full wardrobe of me-made clothes yet. My blog is: http://mymessings.blogspot.com/

Kat said...

I would love to join up but am still deciding whether to do one item a day for the whole month of just a week. Would me made items include accessories?? I am just trying to work out how I would work me made items into my work uniform.

my blog is http://katcreativeadventures.blogspot.com

Susannah said...

Still too shy and too short of clothes -- maybe next month-that-ends-in-M? But I will be cheering on you and other participants!

I particularly like the Barbie tableau. Although a Barbie who didn't shop for clothes is, well, unthinkable.

Susannah said...

Duhhh. STARTS with M, I mean.

Alyssa said...

I want to join as well, although I will also have to opt for the lite version.
http://vintageorbust.blogspot.com/

Clare said...

Sign me up for the Lite version please! I'll blog about this later - my (poor, neglected) blog is http://restlessrobot.wordpress.com.

@Kat - handmade underwear is the obvious solution :D

Elly said...

I'd love to join in! I suspect I might need to go with one-item-a-day week-long version...though could me-made items include accessories? If I was able to include things I've refashioned but not made from scratch, I could definitely do longer...perhaps the lite version?

This would be a good impetus to sew up some of those little dress patterns I've been eying!

My blog is Adventures in Refashioning

Tasia said...

I'll join you for the 'lite' option. Time for me to step up my sewing game! I'm really excited to be a part of your challenge.

My blog is:
http://sewaholic.net

and I already mentioned the Me-Made challenge on it today!

Anonymous said...

Wow!
I love this! I'm in, but for the very very lite version, which will be probably one item a week. I really only have a couple of things self made and I'll be reeeealy busy this month (including holidays in Vancouver, in a week, yeah!), but I want to participate anyway.
I don't have a blog, but I'll figure out a way of showing you the pictures, or...maybe even start a blog?
By the way, love those red shoes from the previous post.
Isabel

Stacy said...

This sounds great! I've been wanting to get more sewing content on my blog, and this will definitely motivate me. Sign me up for the "lite" version!

My blog is: http://www.stacyverb.typepad.com

Jana said...

I'm all in for Lite, blogged about it today!
98redballoons.blogspot.com

Jodi Wade said...

I love the Barbie pic :)

I am so impressed how you did in March. It will be way easier in warmer weather. I want to join in!

Kat said...

@Clare - good idea! However I have never made underwear before so not sure if I could get that done by may. I may just make some hair clips or something.

I blogged about this today as well so hopefully more people sign up.

Anonymous said...

I am transitioning my wardrobe to mostly handmade but have not gotten far enough along to not even pull off a full whole week - unless you count jewelry. I have made a ton of that.

None-the-less, what a brilliant idea and good kick in the patootie to get people to step up the handmade.

(followed you from Male Pattern Boldness)

Kaith Ladios said...

This'll be great for speeding up my stash busting and the lite version will definitely be easier on my schedule. Sign me up!

http://seamshandmade.tumblr.com

Debi said...

Count me in as well! Not sure if I will do the lite version or the full version (probably lite!) Can't wait! http;//fashionsfromthepast.blogspot.com

Zoe said...

Woo hoo! I'm SO excited to have so many lovely members of the Me-Made-May Support Group! We are going to have so much fun.

In regards to what constitutes handmade, if accessories and hats count etc etc, it's totally up to you individually. This challenge is just as much your challenge as it is mine. As long as you reach for the handmade rather than shop-bought when possible and are having a good experience, then it's a WIN in my book!

Also, those with blogs, please don't forget to post about the challenge so we can get as many people clued in as poosible!

Zoe xxx

Alexandra said...

Hi, i would love to join in for the week/lite option :)

My blog is http://alexandramason.blogspot.com

xx

mon ami said...

gulp - I'm in! Sign me up for the lite version (one item a week). Thanks for the continual inspiration!

http://monami.squarespace.com/

Suse said...

I'm in for a lite version (at least one homemade item per day), and as a knitter I will totally be including homemade socks.

peasoupoftheday.blogspot.com

mado said...

I'm super excited about this and I will definitely play along, although I'm not sure how much (I haven't tackled making my own pants yet, but if I can get my hands on some elastic in the next month, I may try it!). Don't have a blog but I'm excited to follow along.

Stephanie said...

Hi Zoe! Count me in on the 'lite'. I am new to sewing but I upcycle a little vintage, make jewelry and hair pieces too...so I almost always wear something handmade or vintage.

Blog http://www.compulsivecrafter.blogspot.com

Ali said...

you wild woman, you! ;) just finished me-made-march and plunging into me-made-may! very tempting.

i'd love to do the lite version (and i love how you're allowing us options!) but given my sewing skills and time, could i use refashion projects/altered garments as well since they're not technically homemade?

some may have been bought in the shops ages ago, but a sewing needle has definitely made a dent to either fit it to my body or completely revamp it. if so, i'm in! it'd be a wonderful way to get through my refashion/alteration pile and amp up my sewing skills.

http://wardrobereimagined.blogspot.com/

Claudine said...

This sounds fun. I would like to join. My blog is http://couturedetails.blogspot.com I've been sewing for a while, so perhaps I could wear something every day. Will there be a shared blog or flickr album to post photos?

Crystal said...

After thinking about it for several days I would love to join! I am only going to wear me-made-pajamas, as I've just only started sewing this week! Pretty confident I can come up with at least 5 pairs of pajamas in the month, my first set is almost complete. This is so inspirational, I am loving all these people getting involved in such a great idea! Thanks so much for your blog :)

Camelia Crinoline said...

This is such a great idea.
Like one of the above commenters I've been thinking for a few days whether to join. Since all I seem to sew are cotton dresses, which are completely inappropriate for the winter weather, I'm going to have to go for the lite option and wear one handmade garment a day for a week.
My blog is http://cameliasandcrinolines.blogspot.com/

Annie said...

Okay, after a bit of debate I've decided that peer pressure is excellent motivation. I'm in. I'll probably do the lite version, but it will be a great step towards doing something that I've wanted to do forever. Thanks for getting this going!

blog: http://birdandlittlebird.typepad.com

Patchwork Architect said...

I wanna do this, the lite version I think.
http://patchworkarchitect.blogspot.com

emily said...

I'm in! It'll have to be the Lite version for me though, I'm not sure my handmade stuff'll hold up to the kind of repeated wear that the full-fat version would require... My blog is http://emilyknits.wordpress.com

Barbara said...

Hi!
Count me in for the full extra heavy version!:-)) Yay!

My blog is
http://floweryskirt.typepad.com/the_flowery_skirt/

Katrina said...

Count me in aswell. I'm just trying to work out at the moment if I can commit to the ful version, or if it would see me committed by the end of the month.

my blog is
http://rollingeyeballs.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

I just found your blog through Colette patterns, and I would love to join! Please sign me up!

I will pledge to wear one handmade item per day!

http://madebytrisha.blogspot.com/

Aurora F. said...

I would really love to do this, but so far I only have two wearable me-made garments, and they're both skirts, so unless I was living on the beach on the Riviera, I would probably end up in jail. However, if you end up having a Self-Sewn-September, maybe, I will certainly join in! Good luck to all!

KID, MD said...

This is a wonderful idea!! I'd love to play along, and if I get to join in the Barbie support group - Yay! I may even attempt to get my kiddos to play as well, since I sew most of their clothes. How fun!

My blog is http://katiekadiddlehopper.blogspot.com

little Bean said...

I'm in.

http://bunnymeetsbean.blogspot.com/

lets see if I actually get the camera out.

Kathleen said...

I'll have to pass for May 2010. I just started out making clothes and only have a skirt so far. I don't think many people would appreciate me walking around in just a skirt, a bra and some socks and shoes. Nope. Maybe May 2011 would be better for me. :)

I'll definitely check out what other participants are wearing though! Love the idea behind this project.

Andrea said...

I plan on joining the challenge and will be using it as motivation to move projects from the to-sew list to the done pile! My blog is http://newvintage.wordpress.com

Mena said...

Count me in! I've debated joining the challenge because I'll be going on vacation for three weeks in May. That means a vacation and Me-Made-May equates to home sewn bathing suits! I'm up for it (I think)

http://www.sewweekly.com

Anonymous said...

Just heard of this through your post (I think?) on Colette Patterns. I'd love to join! But it'll be a (super...) lite version for me because my wardrobe is very empty at the moment, especially with handmade items. But it's another good reason to make more things!

Anonymous said...

I'm in for a combo of full on and lite.

my blog is: http://seejanesew.wordpress.com/

Anonymous said...

I'm in for a combo of the full on and lite versions

my blog is: http://seejanesew.wordpress.com/

jessica said...

I'm in for a Lite version too! [Sorry, can't remember if I already commented that I was]. Posted about it on my blog too, excited!

Alishes said...

I'm in for the lite version, but I don't have a blog. Is this a problem? Maybe I could start one just for the occasion?

Zoe said...

Hi all!

In response to Alishes's query, you do not need a blog to participate. If you wish to have your endeavours on the web but do not want to start your own blog, then email me your pics/comments to sozoblog@gmail.com and I'll post them on this blog as part of a weekly roundup.

Hope everyone is having fun preparing for May 1st!
Zoe xxx

Melynda said...

I think this is such a great idea. I'm in. I plan to include one hand made item a day.
My blog is here:
http://countrygirlcouture.blogspot.com/

Melynda said...

I think this is such a great idea. I'm in. I plan to include one hand made item a day.
My blog is here:
http://countrygirlcouture.blogspot.com/

Kathryn Barker said...

Officially inspired and going on record - for some variation of the light versions. It's a start.

Sigrid said...

Great idea! I'm in, now I need to assess my wardrobe. Love the dolls too.
My blog is http:/analogme.typepad.com

Holly S. said...

This is fabulous. I absolutely love wearing the things that I make even if they aren't complete successes. I will have to do the Lite, though, not having that many things made such as undergarments, etc. and having lately focused on making a pile of my late mother's clothing, not donatable because of missing buttons, holes in sweaters, etc. into a wardrobe for my soon-to-be 3 year old. Seems I am such a fabricoholic that I can't throw away clothing if it has an inch of life left!
No blog, but I will commit and thanks for the push!

amy said...

I am joining me made may. but I will have to do the light version and get cracking on my sewing machine a bit. But it is good motivation!

my blog: www.dartandhem.blogspot.com

Anne Maskell said...

I'd love to join in 'me-made-may' with everyone! I think I'll start with the 'light' version as well,unless I manage to get a heck of a lot of sewing done before May 1st! My blog is
http://www.amaskellantics.com

bagqueen said...

I would love to join in. I take we can wear anything made in any way, I knit loads so have jumpers and cardis, Can we also count things we have refashioned from old stuff? I have a few things not made-by-me from scratch but look quite different to their original form!!

I'm excited by this idea!!

Reethi said...

I'm in, what a great idea! I wanted to do this anyway, since I was so inspired by your Me-Made-March. I might have to devise a couple of exceptions, but will be mostly me-made. (Outerwear for Canada, even in May? Not in my skill-set yet.)

Reethi said...

Sorry, my blog is http://weekendcrafting.blogspot.com

Jane said...

I'm in too, the sewing machine is going into overdrive at the moment with the cold season advancing. I'll do a combo I think.

No blog sorry but will keep up with other peoples

prudence rabbit said...

I'd love to join. I'll aim for one me-made item a day. www.prudencerabbit.blogspot.com

Becky said...

This sounds brilliant! I'll definitely join in!

Although, as I'm only starting my third garment tomorrow, it might have to be reduced to a "Me-made Weekend!".

www.beckysvintagewardrobe.blogspot.com

out of order said...

I want to play along! I would also probably go for the lite challenge, though it'll get easier as it gets warmer! I will definitely post the idea and link in the next week.
Yay for diyers!

SEW RED HOT said...

Yes please. I'll go for the lite version leaning towards full pelt. Somewhere in between.

http://sewredhot.blogspot.com/

I just wore the most gorgeous retro dress to work the other day. Nobody will ever have anything like it nor one that fits so well.

Its fabulous when it turns out right.

lore

Erica Bunker said...

I would love to join also!

http://www.ericabunker.com

Alison said...

I'm going to do this, it sounds like a fun challenge - My exclusions will be that I am NOT going to make my own shoes; and I will allow myself my current (rather shabby) raincoat and rainhat, but encourage myself to actually make a raincoat.

My blog is: Acorn Cottage Artisanry
http://artisanry.blogspot.com/

Jenny said...

I just found you through another blog and want to play,too! I'll do at least one item a day all month. :-) Thanks for the motivation!

www.knitting-jenny.blogspot.com

Chase Clark said...

Alrighty, I am in! I already have a few skirts/tops made, but I want to use this as an opportunity to make a bunch more stuff. I am missing some key wardrobe items, like a coat, pants, etc. I will be using some repurposed clothing and I will extend the challenge to accessories as well (well, not shoes). I am going to write about stuff I make on my blog, and I will take a picture of myself and my outfit every day. Cannot wait to get started! my blog is at www.ohthecuteness.com if you want to see what I can do!

CarmencitaB said...

Oooh! Can I play too? I can manage to wear at least 1 hand made garment a day I think, sometimes more sometimes less. I'm here : http://www.carmencitab.com/

Cecili said...

Okay, after much thought and fear^^ I've made up my mind: I'll try the Lite version! Thank you for allowing us to participate :)

Vanessa said...

Yes, count me in! I've been doing the "lite" version (one item per day) for a month now. Maybe I can build up to two items by the end of May?

Hortencia Butterscotch said...

So I only have a couple of hand-made dresses, so I'll be on the lite-lite side. I'll definitely try to wear them as much as possible in May, and work on making some separate!

Marley said...

I want to do Me-Made-May the lite option. I've been wanting to do some sewing and this gives me four days to whip something up. May we use your sign as a badge on our sites?

SølviElise said...

Ooooh, I want in as well! This should be fun :-)

My blog is http://solvi.se/delfinelise

jane mckinlay cluff said...

I would love to join... I need to start sewing like crazy!!
thesimplethingsimake.blogspot.com

Gen Paire Soeur said...

Oooohh, now that my sister-in-law's wedding is over this is the perfect project to get me sewing again! Going to opt for the lite version, we're moving in June so need to go easy.

Will post about it here
http://genpairesoeur.blogspot.com

Monica

Brooke said...

I'm in! Although unfortunately, lately the best clothes I've been making all come from the same pattern (Simplicity 2614, which I extended into an A-line dress as well as a short-sleeved top), so I'll be accessorizing like mad, and probably with things I DIDN'T make myself, like RTW jeans and jackets.

But still, I will try to wear at least one hand-made, me-made thing a day. Great idea. Thanks! I'll put it on my own sewing blog (http://dailyskirt.blogspot.com).

Carlie said...

I put my hand up to join on your last post, but here is my blog

http://chickyc.blogspot.com

Counting down the days :-)

Sophie Miriam said...

I think I will join this, but I will do the lite version, wearing one hand-made thing every day. I'll try, anyway!

My blog is filasewphie.blogspot.com

CrystaL* said...

I just found your site through http://www.burdastyle.com/profiles/jodika and I'm so happy I did!

I would love to join the Me-Made-May but as I don't have that many items yet created I might have to opt for the lite version and wear a piece a day more then a full outfit.
I'm so excited! I will blog about this in the next few days at http://thehouseofhearts.com/

Can't wait to see some of your outfits!

fi-bee said...

I'd love to join in but as I have never made anything before i'll have to do a lite version! Excuse how poor my blog is i've only just set it up and i'm not really sure what to do! http://myvintage-esquejourney.blogspot.com

Jessica said...

Yay! DOING IT! One more lurker officially joining at the last possible second before the end of April! I'll be doing a very light version - hopefully one piece a day, but probably more like "wear handmade more often than not." No flickr, but I'll be blogging it at:

ablogisatreat.com

Thanks for the inspiration! Gotta go try to finish like 8 more things before the first....

Author said...

I'm in. Thanks so much for hosting!

badmomgoodmom said...

What a coincidence. I started doing that last week. Once I realized I had worn one of my own creations for three days in a row, I've consciously selected my outfits to include at least one item made by me every day.

Count me in!

B @ Sweet Limes said...

I"d love to join in too Zoe. I just heard about this today so I feel like I'm a little behind, but what a great way to motivate myself to get sewing. I just told myself I couldn't buy any more fabric until I got going on my current stash, so this is right up my alley!

www.sweetlimes.com

jennwhisper said...

sign me up! Mini-may challenge it is! http://weisdoingstuffs.blogspot.com

Sara said...

Wow! I love it! I've not been sewing my own clothes long enough to make it past a few days though. BUT! This gives me the encouragement to keep going and make as much as I can this month! I have a dress on my sewing table right now that I'm on my way to finish! Then, I may have to start another...

On another note, anyone know how to make SHOES?!?! That's the one thing I would LOVE to learn how to make soon.

In The Heyday said...

Count me in! I intend to do one item a day lite version and include repaired/trimmed/altered garments.
Thanks for the inspiration.
My (new) blog is http://intheheyday.blogspot.com/

Justine of SewCountryChick said...

Hi Zoe! Im in and I love these challenges. Will you be starting a Flickr group or a linky party for it?

Justine of SewCountryChick said...

Oh yes my blog is
Www.sewcountrychick.com
So excited Erica B is joining in!

Marianna said...

I sign up for one garment + a day. Soon as I've made a couple of t-shirts that I can wear with jeans on colder days, I'm sorted. On sunnier days, the dresses come out.

My growing wardrobe is documented on www.sew2pro.com

Jamie said...

Count me in for the lite version.
My blog is: http://stitchandanoccasionalbitch.blogspot.com/

AlmondRock said...

Eeeep! I'm going to aim for one item a day and see how I get on. It's also going to mark the start of my blog! Seemed like a good way to post regularly for the first month.

http://almondrock.wordpress.com/

Sophie said...

Well we're giving it a try, but have decided to do the family version as I sew a lot more for my little girls than I do for myself! My Stitch and Bitch girls are also going to give it a go too.

applepip said...

Love to join you. Luckily I have plenty of handmade socks and hats, so I'm going lite ;-) Thanks for the inspiration.

http://anakedplural.blogspot.co.nz/

Nancy Winningham said...

I'm in! I may have to do "lite" since I haven't sewn as much since I've lost weight and don't have as many clothes that fit. But - I'm working to rectify that. I'l link when I get home to my computer :-)
Nancy

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