Saturday 1 April 2017

Me-Made-May '17: Sign-Up Here!




Welcome to the sign-up for Me-Made-May'17! Can you believe that Me-Made-May is in its EIGHTH YEAR?! This challenge is all about improving your relationship with your handmade wardrobe, and perhaps also learning about yourself and your creativity.


What is Me-Made-May'17 and how it works...

Me-Made-May'17 (#MMMay17 for social media interaction) is a challenge designed to encourage people who sew/knit/crochet/refashion/upcycle garments for themselves to wear and love them more. The me-made and self-stitched challenges have been taking place for eight years now and they work on both a personal and community level. The participants decide the specifics of their own challenge, so that the month is appropriate and challenging for them (more on this below). For example, a very common pledge is for a participant to aim to wear one self-stitched or refashioned garment each day for the duration of May 2017. Some participants choose to document their challenge photographically (though this is in no way compulsory for taking part) and share them with other participants.

Taking part can...
  • To start integrating your self-made items into your regular wardrobe rotation.
  • Help you get out of a wardrobe rut by focusing on your lesser-worn items and creating new outfits that include those.  
  • Find out what the 'holes' in your wardrobe are so that you are able to use your garment-creating time more usefully in the future. 
  • Begin wearing the clothes that you really want to be seen in, rather than the same old things you usually reach for most mornings.  
  • Enjoy the excuse to finish off any lingering UFOs (unfinished objects), or to finally start a project that has been on your mind for ages. 
  • Discover what the rest of this large community of makers has created and is wearing in their day-to-day lives, and enjoy the support, advice and inspiration that they will provide. 


What isn't Me-Made-May'17? 
  • A photo challenge. You might have seen heaps of Me-Made-May related pictures posted on blogs, Instagram etc. during previous challenges showing participants in their awesome handmade creations. Many like to document and share their challenges in this way, which is obviously amazing, but COMPLETING YOUR PLEDGE is the actual challenge; taking and sharing photos of what you wear during it is ENTIRELY OPTIONAL. I cannot emphasise this enough: you do not need to take any photos. At all. But please do if you want to. 
  • A reason to make lots of new clothes (unless you want to). This challenge is about wearing the items that you have already created more often, not about stock-piling more makes. However, if you want to use taking part in the challenge as the kick in the butt you need to finally hem that half-finished skirt, or rework an ill-fitting garment, then great. Remember, this challenge is meant to be fun, and panic-making isn't fun! 
  • A competition. It doesn't matter how many self-stitched items you already have or haven't. You can take part even if you just have one solitary self-made item! You just need to set your pledge to make it challenging for YOU, no matter what criteria other participants have set themselves. 

How do I sign up?

All you have to do is copy the pledge below and paste it into the comments section of this post adapted to include your details and the personal specification of your challenge before 1st May:

 'I, (insert name here and blog address/instagram handle if you have one), sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear......................................................... each day for the duration of May 2017'


Ideas for your pledge...

Remember, this is meant to be challenging (i.e. not what you usually do), so take some time to think about how to get the most from the challenge before writing your pledge. 

If the standard 'wear one self-stitched garment per day' pledge won't help or stretch you, for example, if you have to wear a uniform during the week or you already wear quite a lot of me-mades, then come up with something else. How about pledging to wear two or more self-made garments each day? Or pledge to try making a new type of garment by the end of the month to wear on the final day? Or pledge to finish all your UFO's by 31st May? Pledge to focus on wearing your 'meh' garments to see if you can fall back in love with some of them? Pledge to only wear separates to force yourself to get creative with your mix-and-matching? Pledge to only wear each garment or garment-combo once? Pledge to wear an outfit including one sewn or knitted garment AND one refashion each day? There are near-infinite ways to tailor the pledge to your own requirements. 


If you have a blog or social media accounts, why not re-post your pledge there so your readers and followers can see what you are up to and be inspired by your endeavour? If possible, please include a link to this post so others can also sign-up if they are interested. If there's one thing I've learnt from these challenges, the more people involved, the better the party!

If you would like to advertise your participation on your blog if you have one, why not treat yourself to the addition of the #MMMay17 widget/gadget/button? The code can be found at the top of the right hand column of this blog. The widget/gadget/button not only looks cute, but it shows other participants/potential-participants at a glance that you are taking part this year. Plus when clicked on, it will ping you to this sign-up post so others can read what this whole damn thing is about without you needing to go into too much of an explanation yourself. If you aren't sure how to apply/insert a widget/gadget/button code, check this post for explanations for Blogspot/Blogger and Wordpress blogs.


What's different about this year's challenge? 

Participants of previous years' challenges may notice a couple of minor differences this year. Mainly, that there's no official Me-Made-May'17 Flickr group or Pinterest board. Whilst Instagram activity has rocketed, these other platforms have seen less action over the last couple of years, so seeing as I'm pretty time-poor these days I've decided to do away with those this year. Also, for the same reason, I'm going to host one larger celebration giveaway for participants towards the end of the month, rather than smaller weekly ones.


I've signed up, what do I do now then?

Nothing in particular until 1st May 2017, except let an underlying sense of excitement brew! You may decide to finish up that UFO, but please people, NO PANIC-SEWING/MAKING NECESSARY OR CONDONED!!


If you are concerned or confused about any aspect of this challenge, please email me at sozoblog (at) g mail (dot) com.

Let the signing up commence!!!!!

657 comments:

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Kim said...

I, Kim of www.latenightstitchery.com (same name on instagram), sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear my handmade wardrobe as much as possible this month, and I endeavor to complete two new pieces of clothing for the duration of May 2017.

Sadie said...

I, Sadie of sadiesewist.blogspot.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear a me-made shirt, dress, skirt or pair of pants each day for the duration of May 2017.

riiikka said...

I, riiikka(IG: riii+kka) sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May 2017.I swear to live happily by wearing clothes I made! I also will make at least 5 new garments or accessories by the end of the month.

lisa said...


I, Lisa @lijoer, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear a me-made, mended or refashioned garment each day for the duration of May 2017.

K-Sue said...

'I, Cathy (who needs to get an instagram), sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear a me-made garment, each day for the duration of May 2017

Nadine B said...

I, Nadine Bennett, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to sew and wear one new garment each day (if humanly possible) for the duration of May 2017, using only fabrics in my current stash. I will also endeavour to donate a minimum of 5 lesser worn garments from my closet, want not, waste not...

Mina said...

Late to the party, but I still want to participate! I've decided no more excuses, this year I'm just jumping in.

I, Mina of 'Make More, Stash Less', sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear all my weather-appropriate handmade items of clothing at least once during May 2017.

Anonymous said...

I, Katrin of @xkatalina on Instagram, sign up as a participant of Me Made May 2017. I endeavor to wear at least one handmade item each day for the duration of May 2017.

Anonymous said...

‘I, Calina from tamtamtiger.wordpress.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May ’17. I endeavour to wear self-made items at least five days per week, for the duration of May 2017’. This is the first time I participate in a challenge like this and I am very excited! Thank you Zoe for hosting this!

Lysimaque said...

I, Lysimaque of Lysimaque_f (instagram) and hortensinesott.wix.com/lysimaque, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear at least 2 times per week handmade clothes for the duration of May 2017 and I'll try to sew one new piece per week-end.

Mrs GirlMom said...

I'm a little late to the game, but I, Juliana (mrsgirlmom.com), sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavor to wear at least 1 me-made garment at least every other day for the duration of May 2017.

Mrs GirlMom said...

Side note.... Does UFO stand for UnFinished Outfit?

Virginie - Avril sur un fil said...

I, Virginie of http://avrilsurunfil.com and @avrilsurunfil on IG, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear handmade clothes each day for the duration of May 2017

Tracy said...

I'm on board! Belated, but hey. I, Tracy of duckbucketsewing.blogspot.com, will participate in MMM by wearing one handmade item each day.

kayokosan said...

I, kayoko,pkapkadragon on Instagaram, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear me made each day for the duration of May 2017.

Wendy said...

'I, Wendy, wendys.6 on Instagram, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavor to wear at least one item I have made each day for the duration of May 2017'

I'm two days late on the sign up but I've been tagging photos already. :)

Maria said...

I, Maria of www.modeethik.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear at least one me made iteam of clothing each day for the duration of May 2017 and to try and come up with a "new" personal style wearing only flat shoes.

Unknown said...

'I, Helga, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear a me made article at least 5 times per week during May 2017'. And create some "out of the box" for me items and those shirts for my husband that I have been putting on the back burner.

amanda wynn said...

I, Amanda Wynn of @bluehoursatelier and amandawynn.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear two me-made items each day for the duration of May 2017 and to create more comfortable, casual everyday wear to fill the pants, shirts and separates gaps in my wardrobe.

Ashley said...

I, Ashley of <a href="http://smallstrokesbigoaks.com>Small Strokes</a>, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear something I have either made or refashioned or bought second-hand each day for the duration of May 2017. I also hope to create a few new pieces for our upcoming June vacation, and to bring more me-mades on that vacation than ready-mades.

Anonymous said...

'I, Paulette @Jamaicanprincess215, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear my own designs every weekend in May, and to create at least 5 new outfits, for the duration of May 2017'

Anonymous said...

I, Nanpantanpeach,sign up as a participant of MMMay17. I endeavour to wear handmade at least three times a week for the duration of ay 2017 and create one new piece each week. Wish me luck!

SewWearRepeat said...

'I, Jacquie of SewWearRepeat, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. Though late to sign up I will wear (and have worn so far) one handmade garment each day for the duration of May 2017. More challenging I commit to organising the murky stash of fabrics under the bed and showing them the light of day...and to promoting the Just Do It Yourself attitude to sewing all month'

Eve said...

I, Eve, (@notfancyxo on insta) of www.notfancy.xyz, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear some of the many, many items I've made the past 12 months two times a week for the duration of May 2017. Many of these items need some finishing off to be just right. I also pledge to sew my heart out this month, and finish my first bra. Bras go UNDER the clothes so maybe, just maybe they will be the wearable items I dream of but can't quite achieve as of yet! It's a journey.

BunnyBosworth said...


'I, Natalie of @shouldbesewing, sign up (a bit late) as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear each piece of self made clothing at least once over the course of the month, to finish all works in progress, to begin two new sewing projects and to begin my first proper knitting project in over 3 years.
Yay! So excited!!

Tenille said...

I'm a day or so late, and this is my first time participating.

I, Tenille of http://tenille.brien.com.au, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear a me-made item at least 5 days per week for the duration of May 2017

Anonymous said...

This is the first year I see this! Loove the concept!
'I, Olja, olja_reven on Instagrame, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear or use at least one peace of handmades (or retailored clothes) five times per week for the duration of May 2017.

I know that I'm late to signing up, but the concept is just boombs and bananas. I love it! It will definitely remind me of all the clothes I have made and loved!

Hugs and kisses

Anonymous said...

'I, Emma, otherwise known as (private) snowfrosch on Instagram, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear at least one piece of me made each day for the duration of May 2017'.
This will include me mades for mum, as a good portion of Mum's wardrobe is now Emma made, and she loves wearing clothes I have made for her.
This is the first time I've taken part in MMM, and it being the 3rd of May, I'm a little slow to get started, but I'm a slow sewer, so that's ok. :o>

Catia said...

I, Catia from The petite Cat blog (www.thepetitecat.com, @thepetitecat on Instagram), sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavor to wear all my handmade clothes at least once for the duration of May 2017.

I'm trusting the Dutch unpredictable weather will help me to go from faux fur coats to off-shoulder tops in a matter of days! And since I don't own a lot of handmade garments yet, this will help me to find out what I would like to make in the future to fill the holes of my handmade wardrobe :)

Thanks a lot Zoe for hosting again! :)

Love, me. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Love, me. said...

'I sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17.
I endeavour to learn how to set up and use this old sewing machine I have had for years and make at least one item of clothing good enough to wear outside the house by the end of May 2017 (or dare to wear it anyway).'

Andrea said...

'I, Andrea Shpuntoff @andreashpuntoff, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear at least one handmade item each day for the duration of May 2017'

Sara said...

I, Sara of rocketsewing.com / @rocketsewing sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear at least one piece of me-made clothes each day for the duration of May 2017, and to blog about all the finished clothes I haven't blogged about since last autumn, so to have a clearer idea of what I like sewing and waering.

Thank you for hosting MMMay17, it is one of my favourite sewing events, wiht no pressure of photo competition, just reflection on my handmade wardrobe.

Wiebke said...

I, Wiebke of www.naehzimmerblog.de / @naehzimmerblog on instagram, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17 (and apologize for being so late to the party). I endeavour to wear at least one handmade or upcycled garment each day for the duration of May 2017. I also endeavour to finally finish my Victoria blazer which has been sitting on my pile of unfinished garments for way too long.

Becky said...

I Becky of Notes_from_the_sewing_room on Instergram sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May 17. I will wear at least one piece of handmade clothing for the duration of May.

rshelly said...

I, Rebecca Shelly, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear garments that I have created each day for the duration of May 2017
Will post some of my outfits here:
https://www.instagram.com/rebeccashellyart/

Allison Jensen said...

'I, Allie from aspiringallie.wordpress.com/ , sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear one piece of me made clothing when going out of the house for the duration of May 2017 and finish my Gertie b6453 dress to wear on the last sunday of the month.'

As a beginner sewist(?) I sometimes feel nervous to wear what I've made out in public, so I'd like to work on that this month. I would pledge to wear my things on more days but I don't have that many items yet!



Anonymous said...

I, Alice of https://www.instagram.com/sewalicesew/, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear handmade clothes each day for the duration of May 2017!

Anonymous said...

I, Kiran @gloopygoo, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May'17. I pledge to wear one hand made item each day either for my kids or I during this month. I also will be participating my my first sewalong and aim to sew two new garments for myself. (I usually sew for the gremlins 😂

Claire said...

I, Claire of www.BoochyClothing.co.uk, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. Since I'm a bit shy and usually keep my makes in a wardrobe, I pledge to wear 1 me-made garment each day for the duration of May 2017.
Thanks Zoe for organising this ❤

Squiggleandbean said...

I'm a bit late but,
I, of squiggleandbean Instagram sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May'17. I endeavour to wear handmade at least three times per week for the duration of May 2017.

Stacy said...

I , Stacy (IG stacym93), sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear 1 handmade item each day for the duration of May 2017'

Adricay said...

 I, Adriana of Candlelight Stitches (Instagram @candlelightstitches), sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to sew 1 new garment with a new pattern each week for the duration of May 2017'

Rebecca said...

I, Rebecca of squeakymonkeykids.wordpress.com & @squeakymonkeykids, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear at least one me-made garment each day for the duration of May 2017

Nittywitter said...

I, Nancy (Nittywitter) nittywitter.etsy.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear a garment handmade by myself or carry one of my handmade bags each day for the duration of May 2017'. I also commit to using materials currently in my stock for new garments.

VictoriaDillman said...

'I ,Victoria, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavor to wear the items I have handmade for the duration of May 2017, although I haven't enough to wear a different one each day, I will proudly wear what I have made. I also endeavour to create two new items to celebrate this month of May 2017.

Tessa said...

I, Tessa @handmadetess, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear 1 handmade article of clothing each week day (and weekend day that I am out and about) for the duration of May 2017. I also will darn/fit all of my clothes on my 'need to be fixed rack' and make at least one new thing that is not a skirt/dress.

Unknown said...

I completely forgot to pledge even though I've been at this 8 days now!
'I, Gem of www.bobbinsandbolts.co.uk, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear 1 item each day for the duration of May 2017 and create a new item or complete a UFO to wear each week.

Anonymous said...

I, Penny of https://pennylibrarian.wordpress.com/ , sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear one me-made item each day for the duration of May 2017

Mrsrlr said...

I,Rachel (ig stitchingrach) sign up as a participant Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear at least one handmade item each day for the duration of May 2017'
I did start on the 1st but forgot to sign the pledge. Sorry.

Coco said...

'I, Coco, of cocosloft.wordpress.com, aka cocos.loft on Igram, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear Me-Made outfits each day for the duration of May 2017 - even if it's just PJs!'

Unknown said...

I, Tanuja, (IG tanujagoulet), sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear at least one piece of clothing made by me each day for the duration of May 2017.

ishy said...

I, ishy of http://www.seventimesbrighter.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to make or upcycle 3 shirts in May 2017.

sarahthelibrarian said...

I, Sarah of @pompombandana on Instagram, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear at least on me made each day for the duration of May 2017 and make 4 new garments.

Zzzz said...

'I, Maria, @wxyzzmariadias, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear at least one handmade piece/garment each day for the duration of May 2017. Thank you for hosting this challange - I am a fresh participant and have enjoyed it a lot.

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makingprettypatterns said...

'I, @thejackienixon, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to find my gaps instead of getting distracted and wanting to make everything! I'll try to wear.me made ...................................................... each day for the duration of May 2017'

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