Me-Made-May'15: Days 28 - 31 The End!

Ah sad times! Here's the final round-up of documentation pics from Me-Made-May'15, plus my thoughts at the end. 

Day 28 (spot the cheeky feet at the bottom of the pic!)

Me-Mades:

50's day dress

Vest

Undies

Day 29

Me-Mades:

Black Dolores batwing top

Stripy Mabel skirt

Vest

Undies

Day 30

Me-Mades:

Ditsy floral Mimi blouse

Nautical Cressida skirt

Vest

Undies

Day 31

Me-Mades:

Black Bronte top

Leopard print Jenna cardi

Black leggings 

Vest

Undies

Final thoughts:

My pledge this year was to wear as many me-made garments as possible (which wasn't too difficult because I do that most of the time anyway) and to wear a dress or skirt five days a week (which was difficult but I achieved it, phew!). To go from wearing a skirt or dress perhaps once a month, to wearing one five out of seven days was a big leap. I chose to do this because I want to expand the variety in my day-to-day looks; I'd got into a serious rut of wearing secondhand jeans, a knit top and cardigan every-single-frikkin-day and I just wasn't happy with what I saw in the mirror most of the time. A couple of months ago a friend of mine even said 'You don't have many clothes, do you?', which certainly isn't true but says a lot about how predictable my outfits had become. 

I also think I felt a bit lost to my current role/s. Yes, I am the mum of a crazy little toddler so comfort and movement is key, but this is my life now for the next few years. I had to figure out a way to combine those practical necessities with outfits that make me feel something closer to 'me' when I look in the mirror. Or at least just not bored. 

So here I am on 1st June, 'free' from my pledge and still wearing a skirt! So Me-Made-May'15 seems to have helped me integrate most of my dresses and skirts into more regular rotation and I've found some good new outfit combinations. I've discovered which of my tights I'm able to wear for a whole day and which require disposal or reworking. I've found that the dresses and skirts that can be worn with trainers are the ones that I will reach for during the week. The rest that need to be worn with nicer shoes and/or are perhaps a little more restrictive will be confined to the weekends when I go to work, and to the occasional date night. 

I feel like I'm still a fair way away from the wardrobe I'd like to own, but this month has given me a good idea about what items will be worth the investment of time and expense to create, and what would be a waste. I'm not going to write a strict 'To Make' list because I like the freedom to make whatever I like when the urge takes me, but I am not going to make anything that I'm sure won't see hefty action. I think this Me-Made-May has really helped me figure out what will and what won't get lots of use with my lifestyle as it is at present. Well fitting trousers and perhaps shorts would be a welcome addition, as would a black or navy knit skirt, and any time spent making jackets or coats will be well spent because of the frequency of wear those garments receive.

How about you? What have you taken away from participating in MMM this year (if you did, of course)? Do you feel you have a better relationship with your handmade clothing now? Or at least a bit of insight into what is required to improve that relationship? I want to thank everyone who took part and got involved in the community aspect in some form or other. It's always such an inspirational and supportive part of the year and 2015's challenge was bigger and better than ever! I already can't wait for Me-Made-May'16! 

Me-Made-May'15: Days 21 - 27

Here's the penultimate round up of my Me-Made-May'15 documentation pics. Expect navy, expect red, expect mustard, expect stripes. 

Day 21

Me-Mades:

Slinky breton top

Abandoned bandstand in the foliage skirt

Vest

Undies

(Double picture FAIL!)

Day 22 (daytime)

Me-Mades:

Where's Wally? Dolores batwing top

Cressida skirt

Vest

Undies

Day 22 (evening)

Coral wiggle dress

Undies

Day 23 

Me-Mades:

Leopard print Jenna cardi (worn as top)

Stripy Mabel skirt

Vest

Undies

Day 24

Me-Mades:

Sailor Sencha blouse

Cressida skirt

Vest

Undies

Day 25

Me-Mades:

Staple dress

Vest

Undies

Day 26

Me-Mades:

1960's Breton top

Denim skirt

Vest

Undies

Day 27

Me-Mades:

Where's Wally? Dolores batwing top

Nautical palazzo pants

Vest

Undies

Thoughts this week:

• I'm thoroughly confused about when I'm 'allowed' to wear trouser or jeans now. 
• I no longer know what I want to look like when I get dressed up to go out in the evening. I went out this week with some mama crew and felt like I was dressed up in fancy dress, the theme being 'Me a few years ago'. Something to ponder.... Not that it's an occurrence regular enough to be of any concern!

Me-Made-May'15: Tilly and the Buttons Giveaway

**THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS EVERYONE WHO ENTERED. THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED**

Well my friends, here's the last Me-Made-May'15 celebration giveaway. Let's go out with a bang with lovely one from Tilly and the Buttons. Tilly is kindly offering one paper pattern to be chosen from her lovely range, PLUS an awesome DIY Dressmaker tote bag!

So what to choose?! Maybe you've had your eye on one of Tilly's patterns (like the Mathilde blouse pattern, pictured above) for agesssss. Well now could be your chance to finally snag a copy. Or perhaps the new Arielle skirt pattern (pictured below)
has caught your eye?

The DIY Dressmaker bag (pictured below) is a lovely quality, strong, sturdy and spacious bag, made from 100% cotton canvas, with long webbing handles that won't cut into your shoulders. The clever gusset and landscape style of the bag make it super roomy, easy to carry, and perfect for fabric shopping or taking to a class. The bag is made from a sustainable crop in a Fair Trade registered factory in India and screen printed in the UK using water-based ink. I am lucky enough to own one of these and I can vouch for the fact that it really is excellent quality, more than a cut above your average tote!

This giveaway is open to participants of Me-Made-May only. Go and have a look at her selection of sewing patterns, and let us know which you'd choose and what you'd make it up in (fabric/trims/any embellishment/etc.)!

To enter, simply leave your comment on this post which includes your email address, unless I can access your email address within two clicks of my mouse. No email address, no way to contact you about your prize. If you aren't positive that it can be accessed within two clicks, then leave it in the comment itself. Your email address will not be used for any purpose other than contacting you if you are the winner. Every time I host a giveaway some people comment without any way to contact them, and it sucks to be them coz often those peops get picked by the random number generator and I have to re-draw. Don't let that be you! Leave your comment by midnight GMT Friday 29th May 2015. I will pick a winner by random number generator the following day.

Me-Made-May'15: Days 14 - 20

Umm, how are we two thirds the way through Me-Made-May'15?! Every year this month seems to race but at an unnecessary speed! I guess with all the extra blogging, photographing and social media interaction, it's like there's no time to come up for air until the month is over. Thanks goodness there's the Me-Made-May'15 Flickr group and Pinterest board to go back to in case we miss any gems during the craziness. Anyways, let's talk about clothes.

Day 14 (kind of cheating because this photo is actually from Day 5, but I wore exactly the same on Day 14 but failed to get a photo taken)

Me-Mades:

Ceylon dress

Vest

Undies

Day 15 (Today was the Flickr group's theme 'Something Old', so I unearthed this top which I haven't worn for over two years since before I became pregnant)

Me-Mades:

Jade peplum knit top

Leopard print Jenna cardi

Vest

Undies

(worn with secondhand jeans)

Day 16 (Spent on trains, not an impressive number of me-mades being worn here, I'll admit. I'm not proud of myself. I always struggle with what to wear to travel in.)

Me-Mades:

Slinky breton top

Vest

Undies

(secondhand jeans and cardi)

Day 17 (spent in other people's kitchens)

Me-Mades:

Staple dress

Vest

Undies

Day 18 (Due to a packing FAIL I'm wearing the exact same outfit as Day 16)

Me-Mades:

Slinky breton top

Vest

Undies

(secondhand jeans and cardi)

Day 19 (Probably the most colourful person who was briefly in Eaglescliffe that day!)

Me-Mades:

Dolores batwing dress

Vest

Undies

Day 20

Me-Mades:

Black 3/4 sleeved Bronte top

Leopard print Jenna cardi (not worn in picture)

Stripy Mabel skirt

Vest

Undies

Thoughts this week:

• I failed to pack successfully for a little trip we made Up North. It was MUCH colder than I expected. I've ended up wearing trousers/jeans more than my allotted 'allowance' this week, so I have to wear a skirt or dress for an extra day next week. 
• I'm using all this skirt and dress wearing as an opportunity to figure out which pairs of my tights I can bear to wear for more than 10 minutes and which I cannot. Those that are too uncomfortable or tight around my waist are being put in the textile recycling bin or being kept aside for potential refashioning like I did with these. 

Me-Made-May'15 Giveaway #3 (and review): My Image Magazine

**THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS EVERYONE WHO ENTERED. THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED**

Well, if there was ever any doubt, last week's Jennifer Lauren Vintage giveaway confirmed that you peops love sewing patterns! And you're hungry for more. Fancy winning a whole magazine full of them? 

If you live in Holland, Belgium or Germany you may well have heard of My Image magazine already. It's been going since 2010, but this magazine is produced by a tiny team: just two guys, Jet and Martijn, based in east Holland. With almost 20 years experience in the industry, they decided to go it alone and produce this independent pattern magazine after their former employers folded. They do everything themselves, from designing the patterns, to organising the photoshoots, to the marketing, to distribution. 

On top of producing this pattern magazine, they also produce children's wear pattern magazine, a range of paper 'envelope' sewing patterns and AND a line of PDF patterns, phew! Despite the only having two employees (what happens when they get sick?!), their product is pretty impressive and they are trying to reach a wider audience. Hence this review/giveaway. I was given one copy to use and review (see below), and one copy to send to a giveaway winner. 

So let's get on with the review part. First up, the magazine itself as a source of sewing inspiration is hella pretty. It's printed on lovely paper with great photos. I found the fabric choices and styling unobtrusive enough to be able to ascertain the potential in each pattern design. I think there's a good mix of simple/quick and more tricky/time consuming projects. The patterns could be used to make a nice little summer wardrobe and I think that most sewers would be drawn to at least a couple of the designs (all of which are pictured above). 

Of course I wanted to try a pattern to see what the magazine is like to actual use, as opposed to simply gazing at in bed before going to sleep. I really like one of the dress styles (pictured above), but in the end I chose this simple top/woven T-shirt pattern as I was strapped for time, plus I had suitable fabric already in my stash. The top is a bit like the Scout woven tee but with bust darts. I'd imagine this one might worn better for those with larger boobs, including those who generally need to do FBA's. My Image patterns are multi-sized and printed on separate pattern sheets, just like Burdastyle magazine. Unlike Burdastyle though, there are fewer patterns printed on each sheet so it wasn't such a pain in the arse to trace out. 

I often feel that simple garments are often the most difficult to draft and fit, because any flaws are going to be impossible to disguise. I found the fit of this top to be excellent, it really hits the sweet spot between fitted and loose and I found the sizing to be accurate. I made this top for my best mate Vic and she's a big fan of it. I made two small changes. Firstly, I ended up shortening to sleeves one stripes-worth after taking these pictures. Secondly, I repositioned the pocket lower because it's intended breast-pocket position wasn't sitting well with the obvious, wide stripes. The fabric I chose, BTW, was a slinky viscose that I scored in a fabric swap in Brighton a few years ago.  

Now for the negative: the instructions. They are sparse, plus in places the English translation isn't great. And like Burdastyle, there aren't any diagrams. When making this top, I really had to rely on my own judgement and past sewing experiences to complete the neckline. It kind of puts me off attempting the trousers/shorts pattern because I'm not very experienced in making fly fronts and I'd like my hand firmly held for that step. I guess it could be do-able with some googling and youtubing at the same time, however, if you don't own a good sewing manual (which sadly I don't).  

So with the instructions in mind, I think this magazine would be most appropriate for 'intermediate' and more experienced sewers. Even though some styles, including this top, might be considered basic and therefore a good project for beginners, I think the experience would be disheartening for those without a number of completed garments already under their belt. 

Review over, on to the giveaway bit. This giveaway is open to participants of Me-Made-May only. To enter, simply leave your comment on this post which includes your email address, unless I can access your email address within two clicks of my mouse. No email address, no way to contact you to send you the magazine. If you aren't positive that it can be accessed within two clicks, then leave it in the comment itself. Your email address will not be used for any purpose other than contacting you if you are the winner. Every time I host a giveaway (last week's included) some people comment without any way to contact them, and it sucks to be them coz often those peops get picked by the random number generator and I have to re-draw. Don't let that be you! Leave your comment by midnight GMT Friday 22nd May 2015. I will pick a winner by random number generator the following day.

Me-Made-May'15: Days 7 - 13

Thanks everyone who commented on my last batch of documentation from my personal Me-Made-May'15 challenge. There's more where they came from:

Day 7 (photographed a few days later because this outfit got totally covered in toddler vomit before I could get a shot on the actual day, which is a shame because I was wearing it with mustard tights and cardi and I thought it looked pretty 'put together'!)

Me-Mades:

Long sleeved black knit top that is pretty boring but very useful

Abandoned bandstand in the foliage skirt

Vest

Undies

Day 8 (There was no one about to take my picture until it got too dark due to looking after a sickly toddler and therefore being in quarantine)

Me-Mades:

Bronte top

Nautical Palazzo Pants

Vest

Undies

Day 9

Me-Mades:

Captain jacket

Cressida skirt

Stripy Dolores batwing top

Vest

Undies

Day 10

Me-Mades:

Dolores batwing dress

Vest

Undies

Day 11

Me-Mades:

Slinky breton top

Cressida skirt

Vest

Undies

Day 12

Me-Mades:

Leopard print Jenna cardi

Boring black long sleeved knit top

Stripy Mabel skirt

Vest

Undies

Day 13

Me-Mades:
1960's Breton top

Mustard Marinière Trousers

Vest

Undies

Thoughts this week:

• I'd prefer to have been more consistent with the photos documenting this challenge, for my own aesthetic pleasure if no one elses, but life happens so I'm not going to be annoyed with myself about a mixtures of approaches.
• I almost forgot that I'm allowed to wear trousers sometimes! 
• My nautical Cressida skirt is wayyyy more comfy than I expected. 

Me-Made-May'15: Jennifer Lauren Vintage Giveaway

**THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS EVERYONE WHO ENTERED. THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED**

You peops love a giveaway! There were so many entries for last week's Village Haberdashery giveaway, and it's such a shame that there can only be one winner. Oh but wait... here's another fabulous sewing-related treat to have a whirl at winning! 

This week's prize is being donated by lovely lady and super-talented pattern designer Jen from Jennifer Lauren Vintage. She has kindly promised one lucky Me-Made-May participant a copy of a sewing pattern of their choice from her fabulous range. It's no secret how awesome I think Jen's patterns are, the Bronte knit top (pictured above) in particular. 

If you're asking me, I think the new Felicity dress pattern (pictured above) or the Cressida skirt pattern (pictured below) would also be fantastic choices. I've always been impressed with how Jen's designs have a distinctly retro feel, but are all completely wearable for day to day life, not just sitting around in whilst taking high tea. That's a really tough sweet spot to find but somehow she manages to every time. 

So, on to the giveaway. This giveaway is open to participants of Me-Made-May only. You do not need to decide what pattern you will choose if you win, but why not help a sister out and suggest what type of garment you'd like Jen to release as a sewing pattern in the future? Jen is currently hella pregnant, so don't hold your breath for an imminent new pattern release, but it will give her something mull over whilst she spends hours sitting on the sofa underneath a snoozing infant! 

To enter, simply leave your comment on this post which includes your email address, unless I can access your email address within two clicks of my mouse. No email address, no way to contact you about your choice of pattern. If you aren't positive that it can be accessed within two clicks, then leave it in the comment itself. Your email address will not be used for any purpose other than contacting you if you are the winner. Every time I host a giveaway (last week's included) some people comment without any way to contact them, and it sucks to be them coz often those peops get picked by the random number generator and I have to re-draw. Don't let that be you! Leave your comment by midnight GMT Friday 15th May 2015. I will pick a winner by random number generator the following day.

Me-Made-May'15: Days 1 - 6

Bloody hell, has a year really gone by already?! So much has happened but I'm excited to be back and challenging myself again this May. It seems that for most Me-Made-may participants who have been sewing for a while, the main thrust of their pledges is to excavate what lies within the dark crevices of their hand-made wardrobe! I am doing that in the form of wearing skirts and dresses far more than I usually do, to see if I can get myself out of my 'jeans and knit top' formula/rut. Here goes: 

Day 1 (spent in Spain!)

Me-Mades:

Staple Dress

Undies

Day 2 (spent in Spain)

Me-Mades:

Stripy Dolores batwing top

Denim Simplicity 2451 skirt

Undies

Day 3 (spent in airports)

Me-Mades:

Slinky breton top

Undies

(with secondhand jeans)

Day 4

Me-Mades:

Black Dolores batwing top

Stripy Mabel skirt

Undies

Day 5

Me-Mades:

Ceylon dress

Vest

Undies

Day 6

Me-Mades:

Tova dress/tunic

Black leggings (yes, they were once maternity leggings, although I called them treggings back then)

Vest

Undies

Early findings:

• How comfortable a dress or skirt is really seems to hang on the comfort levels of the footwear and hosiery! Dresses and skirts that can be worn with trainers stop people asking 'why are you all dressed up?' when they are used to seeing me in stained jeans every day. 
• Doing no photo editing whatsoever leads to less than fab photos (unless you're in sunny Spain) but makes the documentation and sharing process much more amenable. 

Guest Post by Tasha: Me-Made-May and Being My Best Self

I LOVE reading all the Me-Made-May pledges that come rolling into my inbox at this time of year. Finding out how people plan to make their lives a bit more difficult for themselves is helping alleviate my panic about my own pledge! Repeat Me-Made-Mayer Tasha from Stale Bread into French Toast (pictured above), who spends half her life (rather excitingly, IMO) travelling round the US, kindly wrote this lovely guest post about her thought process leading up to the challenge....

'This year, I decided to step up my pledge for Me-Made-May, endeavoring to wear only garments I’ve made, altered, or repaired, for the month (excepting only my raincoat). This undertaking turned out to have some unexpected consequences right away, and got me thinking about how challenges like MMM push me to advance my wardrobe and my style, and to present my best self to the world. 

As May drew closer and I started to consider my summer clothes and what I could and couldn’t wear under these new rules, a few unexpected me-made wardrobe gaps came to my attention, including the fact that I lacked any kind of me-made top I’d want to sleep in. At first, I admit I was a little annoyed. I didn’t really feel like reorganizing my list of things to sew and putting a new pajama top next in line, and sewing one didn’t seem that exciting or necessary. After all, the old RTW tank top I was sleeping in was totally fine, even if was kind of ratty, faded, pretty much all recovery worn out of the fabric, and starting to develop a little hole or two … actually, once I considered, it was nothing like what I’d really like to wear or the image of myself I’d like the world (or even my husband) to see. In fact, lately I’d started throwing on something else over it if anyone other than Bryan was likely to see me wearing it.

So, I would make a new sleep top for sure, but what should it be like? I had a little time before we would be home and I could sew, so I let ideas roll around in my head as they appeared, and considered options on and off for several days as I was falling asleep. What would my ideal summer sleep top be like? I would have limited time to make it once we got home, so I needed to match a fabric and pattern from my mental inventory of what was already in my stash with my ideas of what the top should be like. 

After a while I settled on using one of my all-time favorite cami/tank patterns (copied from a RTW top), with some slightly slubby organic cotton knit I got at Bolt Fabrics in Portland a couple of years ago, and had made one top from already. This would be my first time using this pattern with a knit, but I figured I could leave out any closure in the back and worry less about seam finishes, take it in a little if necessary, and it would be extra comfy for sleep. The cups of this design with their little pleats, and the scalloped edges (which the original top had, so that option usually occurs to me when I think about this pattern), combined with the fabric, would give me the look I wanted: feminine and a little romantic, while still fit for public viewing. We’re usually on the road for part of May, and lucky enough to have friends and family to stay with, so pajamas which I don’t mind wearing into someone else’s kitchen to make tea in the morning are a definite plus. 

The actual experience of making this top turned out to be better than I first thought too. Of course there’s the tactile experience of sewing anything, which I love. But this top also gave me a chance to try out a couple of experiments with one of my favorite patterns, and the wheels in my head started turning with ideas about design, shaping, fit and fabric. (In case you’re curious, I ended up pinching out about ½” at the top underarm seam on each side, and leaving the rest as it was). A single layer of knit fabric made for easy finishing with just a row of slightly scalloped decorative stitching, and the pleats kept it from being too revealing in front. 

So now I have a lovely new sleep top, and a new respect for how challenges like Me-Made-May (and wearing a handmade wardrobe in general) give me a helpful push in the direction I’d really like to go in anyway. The biggest difference between the new top and the old one is that I really thought about this one at every stage. Taking the time to consider exactly what I want, rather than just picking up what’s in front of me, and to ponder and develop my individual style, definitely takes more effort. But that effort is more than paid back in the results. By using my brain to come up with a concept for a garment, figure out what materials to use, how to sew them, and carry those ideas through into the real world, I get personal growth and satisfaction, a little expansion of my skills and abilities—not to mention a garment I’m proud to wear into the world as a representation of who I am and what I’d like to say. So far I’m pretty pleased with the results of my challenge to myself this year, and looking forward to what else I’ll find out this May!'