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: 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. 

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!'

Me-Made-May'15! SIGN UP HERE

Yes indeed my friends, here it is! 2015's official Me-Made challenge that celebrates all the love and hard work that so many of us put into crafting unique, special handmade clothing and accessories. If you want to improve your relationship with your me-made items, then this challenge is for you!


What is Me-Made-May'15?

Me-Made-May'15 (#mmmay15 for social media interaction) is a challenge designed to encourage people who sew/knit/crochet/refashion/upcycle garments for themselves to actually wear and love them. The me-made and self-stitched challenges have been taking place for five years now and they work on both a personal and community level. The participants decide the specifics of their own challenge pledge, 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 2015. The participants can also choose to document their challenge with daily photos (though this is in no way compulsory for taking part) and share them with other participants (more on this below).


What isn't Me-Made-May'15? 

• The Me-Made-May challenges are NOT all about taking daily outfit photographs. However, many participants do choose to document their challenge with daily/weekly/as-often-as-you-like photos and share them on their blog if they have one or on Flickr or Pinterest if they are a member. The challenge is about wearing your handmade clothing more often than you usually do, if you choose to take documentation photos, then that is fabulous and we'd love to see 'em, but taking photos isn't necessary or compulsory and really isn't the point of the challenge. 
• Me-Made-May also isn't reason to panic-sew/make anything. This challenge is about wearing the items that you have already created, 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-anything 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. 

I haven't taken part in any of these before, why should I take part?

Ohh, there are squillions of reasons why you might choose take part! They may include:

• Do your handmade items often get left in the wardrobe rather than worn as part of your everyday wardrobe? Participating in this challenge can give you a bit of a nudge to help you to integrate your self-stitched items into your daily life.
• This challenge may also be useful for discovering the 'holes' in your wardrobe so in the future you are able to focus your precious garment-creating time towards making things that will be useful. 
• If you feel that what you tend to wear, day-to-day, doesn't really suit you or represent who you are, this challenge is a way to spend a month focussing on getting out of your wardrobe rut. 
• You may enjoy an excuse to focus on finishing off lingering UFOs (un-finished objects), or to start a project you've had on your mind for ages. 
• If you have been creating clothing for some time and already wear a lot of your me-mades, this challenge might help you to bring newer self-stitched items into regular rotation. If you tend to make all kinds of garments, you may even want to see if you can get by all month entirely without shop-bought garments.
• There is also guaranteed to be a lovely online community of fellow participants to give support, advice and inspiration.

I've taken part in these in the past, why should I take part this year?

Did you enjoy it last time/the previous times you took part?

• If the answer is 'Yes': Then you'll have lots of fun again this year, whilst challenging yourself in a different way and learning something new about yourself and your style/skills/preferences/wardrobe. You just need to think about how you can alter and/or amp up your pledge specifics to get the most out of this year's challenge.
• If the answer is 'No': Well if that's a 'no' because the challenge you set yourself was too hard, then that is easily rectified this time round; set your pledge so that it is tricky but do-able. If it's a 'no' because you didn't enjoy the pressure you felt to take photos each day, then simply don't worry about documenting your challenge with photos. You'll learn lots of lessons and get satisfaction from taking part in the challenge and completing your pledge, not from the documentation of it (although some participants have found that seeing the daily images of themselves has really helped them figure out what suits them and what doesn't work so well). If you'd like to do a little bit of documenting, then why not just photograph your favourite outfit/garment you wore at the end of the week, or some other version that doesn't make you feel under pressure. But seriously, if you didn't like taking part in it and don't want to try again, fair enough! 

Ok, you've convinced me, how do I sign up?

All you have to do is copy the pledge below and post it in 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 if you have one), sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '15. I endeavour to wear......................................................... each day for the duration of May 2015'

Points to consider when creating your pledge:

• This is YOUR challenge, write the pledge any way you want, just remember: IT IS A CHALLENGE and not meant to be easy or what you do usually. In the past I have received the odd comment saying 'Oh, I already do this so I may as well sign up', however those people had clearly missed the point which is to challenge yourself, and therefore they would be unlikely to learn very much or feel much satisfaction at the end of the month. 
• THIS IS NOT A COMPETITION. It is a personal attempt to achieve a better relationship with your handmade creations, which you may or may not choose to share with the creative online community. What I mean is, don't set a pledge that you've seen other people make that sounds good but in reality is unobtainable for you and your lifestyle. For example, if you have to wear a uniform for work each day, you may prefer to pledge to wear self-stitched items at the weekends or days off only. 
• There's no rush to sign up immediately, as long as you do so before 1st May. Have a think for a while about your current relationship with your creations, then think how you might want to improve that relationship.
• If you have taken part before, or already wear a fair amount of self-made clothing and/or accessories, think how you can up the ante from the standard 'one self-stitched garment a day' pledge. How about wearing 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 amp things up for yourself. 

If you have a blog, 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? 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!


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

Nothing in particular until 1st May 20145, 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 would like to advertise your participation on your blog if you have one, why not treat yourself to the addition of the Me-Made-May'15 widget/gadget/button? The code can be found at the top of the right hand column of this blog's home page. 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.


How do I interact with other participants throughout the challenge?

If you would like to see what other participants are up to throughout the month and/or show others how you are getting on then there are several ways to do so. 

• Blogs. If you have a blog, then why not tell/show your readers what you are up to? Reading about others' experiences of these challenges is always so interesting and often useful. If you'd like to discover some blogs of other participants, you will be able to find lots by looking through the comments section of this sign-up post. Some participants like to post their outfit photos on their blogs, and remember if you want to do that but don't have the time or desire to post daily, you could post more manageable summaries once or twice a week, which I prefer to do, or even just at the end of the month.

• Flickr. If you wish to be a part of the Me-Made-May'15 Flickr group, head over there and request membership. I'll 'let you in' within two days so you can begin posting your outfits/garments from 1st May. If you wish to start a discussion over there before 1st May, please feel free to do so! If you choose not to sign up to the Flickr group, you will still be able to see all the photos added by other participants and read the discussions being had over there, however you will not be able to comment on the photos or add to the discussions. The Flickr groups are always heaps of fun and such a lovely way to see lots of participants all in one go participating in different countries and climates. Plus it can be a fabulous way to discover new inspirational bloggers and blogs to follow, and generally make some new e-friends!

• Pinterest. After the popularity of last year's, this year we have a Me-Made-May'15 Pinterest board. To pin your garment/outfit pictures on there, you will need to 'follow' the board. It'll take up to two days for you to be allowed access, so don't panic if you can't pin on there immediately. Please add the #mmmay15 hashtag to your pins. 

• Twitter and Instagram. It would also be totally ace if Twitter and Instagram users posted about and discussed the challenge using the #mmmay15 hashtag.

Anything else I should know?

HAVE FUN!!!! This challenge is meant to be explorative, illuminating and beneficial, but above that it's meant to be fun! Getting dressed can often be fun, and if you haven't felt any clothes-based fun for a while, why not see if this challenge can help inject some of that back? 'Hanging out' online with the other participants can be a big part of that fun by seeing what they are wearing (either by visiting their personal blogs or through the Flickr group, Pinterest board or via Twitter and Instagram) and by sharing your own unique take on this challenge.

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!!!!!

Me-Made-May'15: Coming Soon...

Listen up peops! If you'd like to take part in the Me-Made-May challenge this year, the sign ups will begin in a couple of weeks. You'll be able to sign up and specify your personal pledge between 1st April and 30th April. So head back here then (if not before!) to find the signing up post with FULL details on the hows and whys of participating.

In the meantime, why not have a little think about how you might like to improve the relationship you have with your handmade clothing? Asking yourself some of the following questions might help:

• What have you made that doesn't get worn? 
• Why don't they get worn? 
• What things do you currently wear the majority of the time (be they self-stitched or shop bought)? 
• What clothes/outfits make you feel comfortable?
• What clothes/outfits make you feel special?
• What clothes/outfits make you feel 'you'?
• If you've participated in these challenges before, what did you learn from completing your previous pledge/s? 

I really look forward to reading all your pledges from 1st April, whether you have participated in these challenges in the past or it'll be your first time! Here's to #mmmay15.