Me Made May '15 - Weeks Three & Four

 

Well, if I needed definitive proof that I dropped the ball somewhat this Me Made May I have it right here! Here's the last half of May in one go, with some daily documentation and some hastily assembled hindsight photography. If anyone's still with me after the barrage of photos, I'll mention my discoveries/conclusions afterwards.

 

 

Day 15: (Two items - 7th day of aimed-for 10)

 

 

Top:  Style Arc Riva Raglan Tee

Pants: Style Arc Sunday Walking Pants

 

Not a glamorous outfit by any means but a satisfying one, mainly because it was perfectly suited to the day's activities. I remember the first MMM I took part in made me realise very quickly that I wasn't sewing useful lifestyle garments; clearly I've started to remedy that. I will need to replace my much loved and lived in hoodie sometime soon - it's getting a bit frayed around the edges.

 

 

 

Day 16: (One item - 2nd day of allowed 11)

 

Jumper: From a Patons Sorrento yarn pattern book.

 

Still really like this, even if it was the clincher for deciding not to bother knitting with cotton yarn again (garments tend to grooooooooooww after a few wears, at least until washed).

 

 

 

Day 17: (Outfit - 8th day of aimed-for 10 - well on track)

 

Jumper: Sombra, by Elanor King (not yet blogged)

Top: New Look 6899 (by happy chance exactly the right colour and neckline to fit underneath)

Pants: Burda 7214 (NYB - pretty thrilled with these; the most tailored I've attempted so far)

 

I think this was intended to be a summer knit, but as an Australian that always feels like a bit of an oxymoron to me. It is however a pretty wonderful trans-seasonal one. Post to come.

 

 

 

Day 18:  (One item - 3rd of allowed 11)

 

Top: Style Arc Rowe Tee.

Very poor showing, this - I forgot to take even a floor shot so this is an original post pic. Which confirms my suspicions that it has indeed shrunk an inch or two in the wash since...


Day 19:  (Outfit - 9th day of aimed-for 10....I think)

 

Kimono: Self drafted from RTW one.

Top: New Look 6899

Jeans: Refashioned (dyed).(Not blogged)

 

These jeans were a light rust red, and while I liked the fit, the colour didn't go with much else in my wardrobe. It's almost impossible to tell in this pic, being taken at night and in a very yellow toned outside light, but they're now my favourite deep, rich burgundy.

Does a no-sew refashion count towards a full outfit? Feels like cheating a bit, since I didn't actually sew them. I'll count it, but provisionally...

 

 

Day 20: (One item- 4th day of allowed 11)



Top: Self-drafted from a favourite RTW.

This should have, and could have, been a full outfit, but it didn't occur to me until the next day to wear either my black Willow pants or black Jacinta dress with the top. Der....


Day 21: (Three items, but not outfit - limitations of pledge evident again)

 

Anorak: Style Arc Romy. (NYB)

Jumper: Roam Tunic by Amy Christoffers

Top: (not shown) SBCC Tonic 2 (NYB)

 

FREEZING day outside spent watching junior athletics. Felt snug and cozy - and not a little bit smug, realising again that I am starting to sew a useful wardrobe :) Although I wouldn't have minded a grey beanie as well...

 

 

Day 22:  (Two garments - 8th day of 10)

Shirt: Simplicity 2447 (NYB)
Skirt: Refashioned from dress (NYB)

Really like this; always appreciate garments that work in warm and cold weather. Will blog soon (backlog is becoming intimidating...sigh)


Day 23: (Outfit - 10th day (if including 19th May)

 

 

Top:  Deer and Doe Plantain (as tunic)

Leggings:  Style Arc Wallis Pant

Cowl:  Grey Loop Cowl by Helen G

 

Again, not glamorous but just right for Saturday lounging/ dog walking/ playing with kids/ evening movie watching. 

 

 

Day 24:  (Outfit - 11th day)

 

Jacket: Get Creative Military Jacket (NYB)

Blouse: Named Kanerva Blouse.

Pants: Burda 7214

 

My new favourite outfit! (although not for lounging/dog walking/ etc) This jacket may be my favourite ever make. Will blog soon. Well, eventually.

 

 

 

Day 25: (Outfit - 12th)

 

Top: Style Arc Row Top.

Pants: True Bias Hudson Pants (NYB, and probably won't be)

 

The last of the balmy Autumn days, this. Actually spent the morning in my striped Kirsten Tee, but it got grotty after intensive pseudo-spring cleaning. The Hudsons are French terry this time around and I love them. I think they'll wear a lot better than the first pair did, too.

 

 

Day 26: (One item - 5th day of allowed 11)

 

Dress: Style Arc Emma Dress (NYB)...

 

...and could there be a less useful photo than this to show it? Confession: I cut this out ready for MMM '13, and promptly forgot all about it. It's been sitting at the bottom of the fabric drawer ever since. Am very glad it's finished now - wool crepe + deep pockets + semi-fitted makes for a surprisingly comfortable and forgiving woven winter dress.

 

 

Day 27: (Outfit - 13th day)

 

 

Jumper: Sombra

Top: (forgotten in photo) New Look 6899

Skirt:  Burda 7147 (NYB)

 

Skirt is not as short on as photo implies; sits lower than natural waist. This, I was delighted to discover, could be squeezed out of the 90cm left over from my new corduroy Military Jacket (24th May). I recently realised that my fabric drawer - the size of which determines my stash (self-imposed limit; don't feel sorry for me!) - now consists of about 80% leftovers and scraps from previous projects. I really need to find some good stash-busting projects! Suggestions welcome :)

 

 



Day 28: (Two garments - 9th day)

 

Jacket: Style Arc Audrey

Top:  Deer and Doe Plantain.

 

Oh, I should love this jacket! There are so many design features I adore on paper; bell sleeves, funnel neck, the cape shape...it's a beautiful wool with silk lining - I even sewed bound buttonholes. But when I wear it, I just don't. I really, really don't! Proof - the last time I wore this was MMM '14. I'm at the stage where I don't want to wear it, but I can't quite bear to part with it. I'm fairly sure I kept the leftover fabric - maybe it's time for a refashion....

 

 

 

Day 29 (Three garments total, at different times. We'll count it as a two-garment day (10th) )

 





Pants: Style Arc Willow Pants
Jumper: Beatnik by Norah Gaughan
Anorak: Style Arc Romy.

Another old photo here - but this is the top I wore with them anyway, so why reinvent the wheel? (Incidentally, this is the top I drafted the one on Day 20 from) Needed warmer clothes for evening; these did nicely.


Day 30: (Outfit - 14th day)

 

Tunic:  Roam by Amy Christoffers

Top: SBCC Tonic 2

Leggings:  Style Arc Wallis Pant

 

I was trying not to do an outfit repeat, but caved. Needed warmth and comfort, and this ticked every box.

 

 

Day 31: (Two garments, but at different times)

 

 

Jumper: Beatnik, by Norah Gaughan

Pants: Hudsons.

 

Jumper during day, Hudsons for curling up on the couch during evening. Very comfy end to the month!

 

And so, that was May.

 

I've written a few observations in the previous May posts, so don't need to repeat those here. But what the rest of the month showed me was:

 

• My self-made wardrobe is reasonably cohesive. There are still a few things that only go with one or two other things, but on the whole I think I'm improving at not sewing wardrobe orphans.

 

• My self-made wardrobe would be much more amenable to this pledge if that pledge was set during warmer weather! I was scraping a bit by the end. More layering pieces, especially cardigans, would be useful.

• I'm becoming really intrigued by the idea of planning a capsule wardrobe (separate for warm and cool weather) rather than having a long list of "wanna-makes".

 

• I hadn't noticed until now how little refashioning I've done in the past year. Two years ago it was a much higher percentage of my total sewing. I'd like to redress this.

 

• I'm not sure if this'll make sense, but I also learned I really like some of my RTW clothes! I didn't realise this, but I think I'd started thinking that part of having a handmade wardrobe was having to replace all my existing clothes. But I'm not sure that's a helpful or useful mentality (nor a sustainable one). If, say, I have a wonderful RTW coat that is well-made and serves me well -and will serve me well for several years - then why do I need to replace it with one of my own making? Part of sewing for me is to get me out of the "fast fashion" mindset, but I've realised that I actually have many RTW garments that I wear and have worn for years that are still like new. Which when you think about it, is hardly "fast fashion". I still want to make / remake rather than buy, but I'm going to take the pressure off myself from now on. This year was supposed to be about slowing down and being more considered, after all! 

 

Some useful observations there for me, that will hopefully help me focus my sewing time and energy from now on. It's so easy to caught up in trying to sew All the Things, isn't it?

 

 

Me Made May '15 - Week Two

It's hard to believe we're pretty much halfway through May, but there you are. Time for the second week's round up, and the pledge's running tally:

 

• Ten days of MM Outfits: 7 so far
• Ten days of at least two garments: 6 so far
• eleven days of at least one garment: 1 so far

 

There are a few favourites in this lot. (Mostly unblogged as yet, but we'll get there eventually)

 

Day 8:  (Outfit)



Top:  Drafted from a favourite RTW jumper. I think I love this even more than the original... Not yet blogged.
Skirt:  New Look 6107, my Nostalgia Skirt.

I really must remember not to stand here on sunny mornings...


Day 9:  (Outfit)

Anorak: Style Arc Romy. Since I'm always quick to point out to myself and any readers here all the flaws and shortcomings of my projects, I guess it's also acceptable to say when I'm really, really proud of one. That would be this one! Will blog it soon.
Top: (not seen) Deer and Doe Plantain.
Leggings: Style Arc Wallis Pant: Still not blogged two years after making, but easily the most worn make of mine ever.
Cowl: Gaptastic Cowl. Finished recently, worn frequently, unblogged - naturally.
Beanie: Winter Trails.

Morning spent watching junior sport outdoors. Felt warmly and appropriately dressed :)

Today gave me a real sense of progress. Two years ago during my first MMM this beanie was the only self-made garment I wore on one of the days; just couldn't rustle up anything else. This time around it's one of five, making up a full outfit. I'm positive I'm not the only one who can focus more on all that hasn't been made or achieved, so it's a good reminder to stop occasionally and give myself a "well done you". Just sayin'...

Day 10: (Two garments)

Jumper: New favourite! Simple All-Age Raglan Sweater, with pattern on front taken from a cross-stitch design. yarn rescued from previous massive fail, so technically a refashion! Took forever, but very happy with it.
Shirt: Simplicity 2447. Not yet blogged. (excellent wardrobe staple.)

Day 11: (Two garments)

Shirt:  Style Arc Safari Sam Overshirt. Funny thing is, I listed this as one of last year's fails in my summary, but it's grown on me. I actually pull it out a lot on home days. Never say never...
Top:  Maria Denmark Kirsten Kimono Tee. For the record, I lived in this over summer. Comfort food in garment form. :)

Day 12: (Two garments)

Dress: Vogue 1152. Not yet blogged so won't expand on it here, but I do believe I've actually achieved a year-round dress with this one :)
Tee: SBCC Tonic. Very useful. So much so I'm thinking I'll go back and redo the neckband.

After seeing this photo I went and checked my tights - in real life they're the same colour as the shoes. Weird...


Day 13: (Outfit)

Jumper: Roam Tunic
Top: SBCC Tonic 2. NYB, great new-to-me pattern.
Leggings: Style Arc Wallis Pant.


Day 14: (Two garments)

Jumper: Honey by Amy Miller
Top: (Not seen but there) New Look 6899

I can't decide whether this is a bit of a cheat day - I did knit the jumper, but it's my daughter's, not mine. I know I'll never get around to blogging it, given the backlog of my own projects, so this is a way of acknowledging its existence. (Her Avocado Hoodie may make an appearance at some stage for the same reason...) After seeing this photo I can confirm that yellow is much more flattering on her than me ;)

So, halfway there! I'm already losing motivation in the daily photo taking (as you can see from the above) but I'm pretty happy with my overall tally. To last week's realisations I can also add the need for pjamas - I have an awful suspicion a day in bed/on couch may soon be necessary. It's altogether possible that any "clothes-on-the-floor" photos next time will have been due not to forgetfulness but rather vanity...

Till next week, then :)

Me Made May '15 - Week One

Well, I'm a couple of days late on this first roundup (is that a bad sign, I wonder??), but I have at least been keeping up with my Me Made May pledge, namely:

• ten days of fully self-made outfits  (four days so far)
• ten days of at least two self-made garments   (two days...)
• rest of time at least one item.          (one...)

And, I've already discovered some problems with said pledge! More on that later, although they'll start to be apparent fairly soon; here are the first week's photos:

Day 1: (Two garments)

Skirt: New Look 6107 - yup, still going strong, still wearing it year-round.
Shirt: Simplicity 2447. Sleeveless version, not yet blogged.

Realised today that a black cardigan needs to go on the future project list.

Day 2. (Outfit! though still, technically just two garments...)

Trackies: True Bias Hudson Pants. And starting to look a just a wee bit "loved". Fine for comfy home days, but will be needing a replacement fairly soon for any comfy away days...
Top: Maria Denmark Kirsten Kimono Tee. Not yet blogged, but probably won't be tbh. (Although I did discover while making it that my overlocker can do a blind hem.)

Day 3. (One garment. Although 95% of the outfit...)

 

Jumpsuit:  Style Arc Carly Jumpsuit. Not yet blogged. Gah - so far behind on the posted project front :/

 

Day 4:  (Outfit. Again, two garments...)

 





Top: Style Arc Tammy Top.
Pants: Simplicity 1887.

Weather has been kind so far, but this may be the last of the summery shots...

Day 5:  (Outfit. Two garments...)

Jumper: Beatnik jumper. My dear Old Faithful. Ravelry link here
Dress: Style Arc Jacinta Dress. For an intended summer dress, this really gets way too much winter air time...And boy, was it wintry today!

Day 6: (Two garments)

Jacket: Knit kimono drafted from existing RTW.
Top:  Style Arc Rowe Top.

Unexpected home day today. Realised my me made wardrobe really does need more warm comfy wear. This was only wearable indoors - which you can kind of tell by the tense and huddled stance.

Day 7: (Outfit. Three items!)

There's really no excuse - only seven days in! - but I completely forgot to take a photo. But, to appease posterity:
Cardigan: Aidez. Ravelry link here.
Top:  SBCC Tonic Tee.
Pants: Hudsons, as on Day 2.

Another unexpected home day. But much cosier today :)


It became evident early on that this year's pledge is somewhat problematic! Obviously, self-made outfits are the goal, but I don't know that phrasing it in numerical terms was the most useful way to go about it. A dress (or jumpsuit) is just one item, but it can be the whole outfit. And on three of my four full outfit days I was only wearing two self-made garments... I'll keep to it, but next year's pledge will require further thought.

I've already noted some specific gaps in the wardrobe:

• Cardigans or jackets: While I've built up my collection of summer basics, those alone aren't much good in cooler weather. On reflection, during the last two winters since I've been sewing for myself I've had two huge projects, the wedding and the school production, so really haven't got a great selection of cold weather layering gear. A few cardigans or jackets would be helpful.

• Singlets or tanks: Again, in order to layer for warmth, but in this case underneath!

• Comfy and warm home wear - it's only been a week, but oh! how I missed having a hoodie on hand! I do have a couple of patterns on hand, so this may have to scoot up the queue.

So, some food for thought, and some useful direction for future sewing.

Are you participating in MMM this year? Have you pinpointed any gaps yet?

Complete: Bandwagon Pants and Tammy Top...and MMM '15

Well, I'm not quite sure where March went, but here we are well into April and well overdue on the posting front. For some reason - and I can't pinpoint anything specific - I've been finding it really hard to sit down and write a post lately. Happily this hasn't been the case with actual sewing time - I'm pretty happy with what I've achieved over the summer. So to get started on the backlog of the unblogged, here are my Bandwagon Pants and Tammy Top.

On the whole, I think I'm pretty good at not getting sucked into trends. I'm not sure whether it stems from a preference for clothes that aren't dateable to a specific year's season, a general lack of ready cash to waste, or a deep-seated aversion to being told what to wear (does anyone else detest that phrase "this season's must-have??); probably all three equally. But every so often some style will happen along, and suddenly it won't matter that every second person on the street is sporting it - I want in too.

In Australia this past summer it's been voluminous printed pants. (Sorry, can't call them trousers. Trousers are tailored.) At first I thought they looked like clown pants - especially the elasticated cuff versions. To be honest, I still do a bit...

But, oh! I know now why everyone wears them - they're as sublimely comfy as pj's, but with the benefit of being acceptable in public. So onto the bandwagon I cheerfully hopped.

My local fabric store outdid itself in terms of printed rayons this spring/summer, and I couldn't resist this one. (I forgot to take a proper close up of the fabric, so this zoomed in enlargement will have to do, I'm afraid.) The pattern is Simplicity 1887, shown below:

               

Just a quick query - does anyone else find that Simplicity patterns seem to have an awfully generous amount of ease?? I know ease preference is a personal thing, but I made up a couple of S. patterns this summer, and each time there was a massive amount of excess fabric to take out. I like to be a bit more scientific and considered when it comes to fitting, but am starting to think "just make the smallest size regardless" might be the S rule of thumb...

I didn't bother making a muslin, because these a) are meant to be voluminous and b) have elastic at the back waist, so I figured any problems would be easily remedied. If I had made a muslin, I would have gone down two sizes, because the sides of the front waistband sit nearly 2" past where they should. Ah, the blessings of a busy print!

I'll come back to the pants in a moment; here's the top I made to go with them:

This is Style Arc's Tammy Top, from their very versatile (eight in one!) dress/top pattern, made up in a black modal jersey. (Hadn't worked with this fabric before: a delight to sew, drapey without being flimsy or diva-ish, and to my lasting regret completely sold out.)

The pattern itself was a bit of a surprise. My experience of SA patterns has been that the size 8s, tops and bottoms, fit without too many adjustments needed at all. But this one didn't turn out at all as I expected. This is the tank/singlet sans overlay, but on me the shoulder width became almost a cap sleeve. The neckline is less of a tank style and more aspiring to be bateau. Also, the line drawing suggested it was much more fitted than it turned out to be. If I ever sew up the dress, there'll be some serious fitting work to do; even the back seam which should add shaping patently fails to do so on me.

Lack of shape evident in the side view. I do like the scooped back neck though.

If I'd had my heart set on a simple tank I would have been disappointed. As it is, I'm not sure I'll wear this out over skirts/pants/etc - it's not fitted enough for sleek and too fitted for slouchy. But as a "tuckable in" (tuck-inable?) top, I actually like it a lot! And unintended though it was, I do like me a cap sleeve :). Here are the two together:

I admit, I do still think "clown pants" when I look at these photos. But I truly don't care! This has been one of the comfiest, most effortless, go-anywhere summer outfits I've ever owned, me-made or RTW.

And when they do become seriously passe in public, they shall still have pride of place as summer pj's ;)

In other news, Me Made May '15 is fast approaching, and I'm in! I'm not panic sewing - honestly! - but I am hoping to get a couple of things finished before it starts. I seem to be having some trouble signing up officially - I'll blame it on the internet connection - so will record my pledge here first.

I want to use MMM this year like I did last year; as a way of gauging how cohesive the wardrobe I'm sewing actually is. But in order to up the challenge a bit more:

"I, Danielle of One Small Stitch, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '15. I endeavour to wear a me-made outfit (sewn, knitted, refashioned) for ten of the days, at least two me-made garments for ten more, and at least one for the remaining days,"

I'll define outfit as "everything you see", barring shoes/tights/jewellery. (Depending on how desperate I get, a dress may fall into this category at some point...) I'll try not to repeat outfits, but will see how I go...

How about you? Are you signing up this year?