Sunday 3 June 2018

My Me-Made-May'18: Week 5, THE END

My goodness, what a month!!! Today I'm going to share the last handful of outfits from my personal Me-Made-May challenge and share some thoughts on MMMay as a whole. Then I'll post again in the week in more detail about the lessons I took away and what I plan to do about them.



Day 28:



Day 29:



Day 30:
(Navy Cabernet cardigan when I went outside, not pictured)



Day 31:


So, wow. Last month was fantastic: I got what I was hoping to gain from my personal pledge, and so much more, which I'll write about in more detail soon. And, more broadly, I found the community aspect of MMMay this year was utterly amazing. More so than ever before, it felt like a party for the online sewing community, where we celebrated all that is awesome about what we are and what we do. I'm certain that a greater number of people participated than ever before, and in part thanks to the exposure MMMay got via the Love to Sew podcast, Sewcialists MMMay-related blog posts, and other well known sewing related businesses sharing blog posts, newsletters, Instagram stories and whatever else, the real aim of this challenge (to improve your relationship with your handmade wardrobe, and NOT just a photo challenge) seemed to be much clearer and at the forefront this year than previous years. And with so many participants sharing their thoughts and the lessons they've learnt from taking part, it has made it even easier to reflect on our own journeys towards a successful handmade wardrobe and the relationship we hope to have with our creativity, and even our own bodies. 

I have yet to start pouring over the blog posts that start to appear as the month draws to a close, where participants summarise and reflect on their challenges, but reading all that I can on Instagram has been so fun and really touching. All the fantastic outfits that have been shared have left me (and I know for sure many, many others) with mountains of inspiration of where I want to go with my own personal style in the future. And getting to peek into the daily lives of others all around the world have been fascinating and felt truly connecting. 

I'm at a bit of a turning point in my life at the moment; I am starting to see in the vague future a time where my children won't need me quite so much (my daughter is starting school this September, wah!!!). I can imagine I will have more time and headspace to figure out how I can bring in money, how I want to spend our free time, and who I want to turn into as I stare down the barrel at my 40s (I'm currently 38). This year's challenge helped me to realise that I am well on the way towards the kind of wardrobe that will dress me well and take me in some of the directions that I think I want to go. Clothes have always represented to me an exploration into, and a reflection of, the different ways I can live my life and aspects I can incorporate. And thanks to #MMMay18, I now have lots more ideas of other avenues I may want to explore. 

If you took part, I hope you had an illuminating month and lots of fun, whether you were involved in the community aspect, or simply through playing about with and rediscovering your handmade wardrobe. If you do write a blog post summarising your thoughts and discoveries, I'd love to read it so please leave me link to it so I can visit!

15 comments:

NorseOtter said...

This was my first time taking part in the challenge and I really learned a lot! I'm feeling much more energised and focused towards my making now, but I also feel OK about letting some old me-mades go. Thanks for organising! I've written up fuller thoughts on my blog here: http://norseotter.blogspot.com/2018/06/me-made-may-recap-and-reinvigorated.html

Amy Brown said...

This is my third year and second time of managing to do it everyday!
It’s definitely helped me to weed out old me mades that dont get worn anymore and figure out what I need to fill the gaps.
I’ve written my thoughts here: whatamymade.wordpress.com

Elisabeth said...

This was my first Me Made May as a participant and I loved it!
I am currently carrying around a bit of really sticky baby-weight (working on it... slow and steady) so when I counted, I only had five me-made garments that weren't too small. I decided to do it anyway and I am so glad I did! Thank you for hosting this wonderful challenge!

I'm a beginner at blogging and English is my second language, so please don't judge me... But here is my sum-up post:
http://thankstomyhands.neblade.se/2018/06/03/mmmay-2018-last-week-and-a-sum-up/

Jo said...

I have taken part many times and although this year my post was a one hit wonder challenge it really made me focus on using the worlds resources carefully which I know you care about. It is good to see new people joining and getting to know their me made wardrobes. I have to say again how much I love that ruffle blouse and your pinafore. Jo xx
http://joeveryday19.blogspot.com/2018/05/me-made-may-2018-mission-accomplished.html

Lys said...

I hardly ever comment but I've been a long-time reader and love love love what you've done with MMM! I've definitely noticed it popping up on all sorts of indie designers' blogs this year and it just seems to grow and grow! You must be so proud of it :) For what it's worth I think you look particularly sleek in the pencil skirt outfits :) (though as a fellow work-at-home mum I tend to lean towards the casual end of the clothing spectrum so I always like taking inspiration from those outfits 😂) Look forward to reading your final thoughts :)

Unknown said...

Hi Zoe! What a fab round up and well done on another wonderful year!
I agree that people seem to have embraced the challenge as much more than just a photo challenge this year so that is great! It's really helped me to do an audit of my handmade wardrobe and what I like to wear now. I've done a round up post here if you'd like to take a look: https://likesewamazing.com/me-made-may-2018-round-up/

Best wishes
Sarah x

Lodi said...

Zoe, Thanks so much for all you do. You're a sewing guru, inspiring thoughtful action during Me Made May and throughout the year! Now I've got to go up to my bat cave and practice my super power...

Unknown said...

This was my first Me Made May and it was both a thrill and a trial, depending on the day. Overall, I was pleased I could accomplish my pledge goals and have a much better idea of what should be on my make list to help round out my wardrobe.

Thanks for letting us play along!

Oh, and I'm not really a sewing blogger, but I posted about it anyway: My Made May

Becky said...

Thanks for hosting again! I really feel like mentally, this year was the most helpful, since I'm in a very different life stage than in previous years that I was able to do it, and with a very different body. It's a longish post since I also shared about 2/3 of my outfit photos, but here's my main post. https://wp.me/p6QcsK-1f8

Megan said...

Another successful MMMay! Thanks so much for continuing to organize it and keep it going :) I posted about my challenge here: http://www.showandtellmeg.com/2018/06/me-made-may-2018-recap.html

Caroline said...

Thank you, Zoe, for organising such a fantastic MMM and well done for your brilliant blogging commentary and wonderful outfits this year. You are curating a truthful and authentic wardrobe for the 'you' at this moment in time and I think you are looking stylish and co-ordinated.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the MMM18 experience and my review is here:
https://carolinejoynson.blogspot.com/2018/06/me-made-may-2018-final-conclusion.html

circussewgirl said...

Yes! I loved this post. I’m still learning how to make clothes, but I really enjoyed watching so many people think about their sewing and their wardrobe from afar this month. And I love how you explained this so clearly: 'Clothes have always represented to me an exploration into, and a reflection of, the different ways I can live my life and aspects I can incorporate.'. MeMadeMay is such a wonderful idea! Thank you for all you share.

circussewgirl said...

And I saved screenshots of these comments for more blog links and inspiration 🙂

Anna-Jo Sews said...

Thanks for setting up this challenge - I've learnt something new every year I've taken part. Here's my post about this year's challenge, which was the toughest yet as I had a baby on the 6th :)

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