Me-Made-May 2018 Final Conclusion

In the final few days of May, I had repeats wears of my DIY clothes on days 28 and 29 because of ongoing house renovations. When I escaped the house later in the week I wore the following:

Day 30

Top: Grainline Scout Tee. Fabric: 100% cotton. Made: 2014

Trousers: A&F

Brooch: Tatty Devine anchor

Watch: G Shock

Trainers: Nike

A throwback to 2014 with one of my original Scout Tee's that is making it's way to the charity shop. The reason? It is a little too tight around the armscye and the shop-bought scratchy and stiff bias-binding I used for the neckline never softened up.  

Day 31

Jumpsuit: New Look 6446. Fabric: H&M tablecloth. Made: 2018

Necklace: Tatty Devine Oranges (2016 sample sale)

Trainers: Vans

It is early days in terms of how much wear this jumpsuit will get but I had a lot of fun wearing it last Thursday.

The final collage of all the me-made-makes for 2018.

The most worn, but not photographed item of clothing is my Gather Buchanan dressing gown which I wear every morning and evening.

This year my pledge was to wear ALL my me-made clothing and figure out why some items get worn more than others. Quite a lot of clothes didn't get worn because it was seasonally inappropriate but overall I seem to be making a reasonably co-ordinated wardrobe.

Insights

Due to my lack of an Instagram account, I have not really had the same experience as previous years where you get a wonderful community feeling from lots of participants in MMM.

What I have enjoyed is having a smaller and more insightful journey with the blogging sewing community and the lovely bloggers below;

Kat (Froebelina)

Zoe (So Zo) the mastermind of MMM

Tilly (T&tB)

Shauni (A Magnificant Thread)

Gabby (Gabberdashery)

and some new discoveries like Lisa's Carolina

I have more me-made clothes than I realised and didn't get to wear them all in one month which I'm not sure is good or bad?

Observations

• I have a lot of Grainline Scout tees, Camber Set-tops and a few colourful shirts
• Lots of skirts; mainly pencil skirts like the Charlotte skirt or Simplicity 2154 and the Dolores Pocket skirt
• Quite a few dresses in different patterns such as the Emery Dress, Camber Set Dress or Alex Shirt Dress
• One jumpsuit! New Look 6446 
• I LOVE pattern and print; I am not surprised as I studied Textile Design at Art College
• I like black and white tops as they are so versatile
• I am also happy with the colour, textures and better quality fabric choices

Areas for Improvement

• Sew more neutral or solid coloured garments. I only wore four me-made items that didn't have a print (Olive Grainline sweater, blue SOI Tulip skirt, grey Marilla Walker Ilsley skirt and a red Simplicity 2154)
• I say this EVERY year. MAKE ANOTHER PAIR OF TROUSERS. I am in the middle of tweaking the SOI Cigarette Pants pattern in a navy crepe so I will keep you posted!
• Keep tweaking the fit of my repeat makes. I have passed on a few of my first Grainline Scout tees to the charity shop as they don't fit well enough for my liking any more

 A big thank you to Zoe for organising this fantastic event and I look forward to taking part again next year with the following things achieved.......

Caroline's Challenge for MMM 2019

• Focus on some non-printed pieces in solid colours
• Make another pair of trousers
• Sew another Gather Buchanan dressing gown
• How about some lounge-wear (jogging pants for around the house and secret PJ's)
• Make some Liberty print PJ's
• Use more of my stash fabric

Me-Made-May 2018 Week Four

Wow, Me-Made-May week four already. I have been busy with work and had quite a few adventures after work to the Village Haberdashery again for the Social Sewing on Thursday and a meal out in Notting Hill with a friend on Friday. 

Day 21

Top: Merchant and Mills Camber Set Dress.  Fabric: Viscose, Guthrie & Ghani. Made: 2017

Watch: Black G Shock

Necklace: Tatty Devine stars A/W 2017

Belt: Top Shop

Shoes: Paul Smith black patent loafers

I really like this dress and seem to always wear it with a belt. The viscose has a wonderful drape but is very delicate. Some of the seams are beginning to fray at the sides near the in-seam pockets and I had to do a little repair at work in the morning with some hand-stitching. I may need to reinforce the side seams to ensure its longevity.

Day 22

Top: Grainline Scout Tee. Fabric: 100% cotton, Hong Kong. Made: 2016

Trousers: Gap

Watch: Black G Shock

Brooch: Tatty Devine anchor

Shoes: Paul Smith red Miller brogues

The Grainline Scout Tee is a simple and easy to wear top. Any long-term readers of CJ Made will attest to my LOVE for the Scout Tee! It is a perfect silhouette to showcase a pretty print or to use up a metre or less of left-over fabric.

Day 23

Top: Grainline Scout Tee. Fabric: 100% cotton, Hong Kong. Made: 2016

Trousers: Gap

Jacket: Levi's denim

Watch: Black G Shock

Trainers: Nike

Another Scout Tee. Well, I did say I loved them!

Day 24

Top: Oliver Bonas sale

Skirt: By Hand London Charlotte Skirt. Fabric: Plaid twill, Samuel Taylors. Made: 2017

Watch: Black G Shock

Shoes: Paul Smith purple Miller brogues

As the day progressed my very form-fitting Charlotte Skirt seemed to get tighter. Maybe I tweaked my fitting a little too much on this version because after lunch it feels a bit restrictive. I am still super proud of my plaid matching skills though and I love the black and white twill fabric.  

Day 25

Dress: Christine Haynes Emery Dress. Fabric: Viscose, Chapel Street Market. Made: 2017

Watch: White G Shock

Necklace: Tatty Devine brushstrokes

Shoes: Paul Smith red Miller brogues

A relaxed vibe with my Emery dress on Friday. I suspect the looser fit of this dress is mainly down to me cutting out a larger size when I have seen other versions via blogs and IG it looks like a more fitted dress. It also sits higher than my natural waist which makes is so comfy. I would like to make another version and perhaps will experiment with dropping the waist down 3cm and consider nipping in the waist slightly.

Days 26 & 27

Another weekend of house renovations wearing my stylish DIY clothes!

How is your Me-Made-May?

Did you do anything fun over the Bank Holiday if you are in the UK?

Me Made May 2018 Week Three

Me-Made-May week three was a rather hectic affair after a phone call from Ofsted (UK school inspectors). On Monday I didn't leave work until after 9pm hence a rather blurry dark photo at the bus stop. Needless to say, I felt exhausted for the rest of the week but my me-made clothing game was still strong!

Day 14

Top: Old Navy hot-dog print shirt (from the boy's section)

Skirt: Simplicity 2154 Fabric: poly-cotton twill, Samuel Taylors. Made: 2013.

Jacket: Levis denim 

Necklace: Tatty Devine hot dog

Watch: Red G Shock 

Trainers: Nike

Five years later and my red Simplicity 2154 pencil skirt is working hard. It is an easy skirt to make and has a spilt at the back to make it very comfy too. Welcome to my slightly deranged face after working for 16 hours straight in preparation for the Ofsted visit.

Day 15

Top: Simplicity 1634 Fabric: Liberty Tana Lawn. Made: 2015

Trousers: Gap 

Necklace: Tatty Devine me-designed 'Untitled'

Watch: Black G Shock

Shoes: Paul Smith blue suede Miller brogues

The Simplicity 1634 pattern has a vintage vibe with the slash neckline and 3/4 length sleeves and I think it works really well with the colouring of the Liberty Tana Lawn print. The facings have a tendency to flip about so I have sewn some very tiny stitches at the shoulder seams to hold it in position.

Top: Merchant and Mills Camber Set Top. Fabric: John Lewis Viscose. Made: 2016 

Trousers: Gap

Watch: Black G Shock

Necklace: Tatty Devine sewing machine A/W 2017

Socks: Gap

Shoes: Paul Smith red Miller brogues

I wore pretty much the exact same outfit last May. On the left, we have 2018 and on the right 2017. The viscose top has slightly shrunk and my trusty Gap chinos have faded a little, but if it ain't broke.....

Day 17

Top: Sew Over It Ultimate shirt. Fabric: Liberty Plastic Fantastic. Made: 2015

Trousers: Gap

Watch: Black G Shock

Necklace: Tatty Devine stars A/W 2017

Shoes: Paul Smith purple Miller brogues

This was the first shirt I ever made and it is still going strong. I really should make another version in a plain viscose or cotton because the fit is good and it has classic styling.

Day 18

Top: Tilly and the Buttons hacked Bettine top. Fabric: Gingham, Samuel Taylors. Hacked: 2017  

Skirt: Sew Over It Tulip Skirt. Made: 2014

Necklace: Tatty Devine scissors

Watch: Black G Shock

Trainers: Nike

My tiredness and general mental state at the end of the week can be summed up by the twisted skirt and fixed grin in this photo. As a post-Ofsted treat, I called into Ray Stitch in Islington to pick up a zip and some bias binding for a work in progress item which I will hopefully be blogging about soon! The blue Sew Over It Tulip skirt gets lots of wear and my hacked Bettine top is also much more wearable since chopping it into a top.

Day 19 & Day 20

The weekend was spent doing some DIY, hence the fetching attire above. The t-shirts are about 15 years old and are now customised with a variety of household paints. As for the green trousers, I inherited them from my Dad. They used to be his gardening pants and they fit me amazingly well. I keep thinking I should trace the pattern. They are a high-waisted original 1970's trousers with deep pockets and a pin-tucked crease down the front. They would make the perfect work trousers in a smart suiting fabric. 

Are you stuck in a me-made rut with your outfit selections?

Have you noticed any repeat combinations you like to wear again and again?

Me Made May 2018 Week Two

The second week of May brought with it typical unpredictable weather with sunshine and showers.

An uncharacteristically co-ordinated collection of garments this week. You could almost say I am curating a capsule hand-made wardrobe where I am able to select my own patterns, fabric and fit!

Day Two

Top: Colette Laurel Top. Fabric: cotton, Samuel Taylors. Made: 2015

Trousers: Gap

Necklace: Tatty Devine stars

Socks: Marimekko

Watch: White G Shock

Shoes: Paul Smith black patent loafers

A simple variation of the Laurel top with slightly extended sleeves. Maybe the darts are a little high but it doesn't stop me from wearing it in the spring and summer months.

Day Nine

Top: Grainline Scout Tee. Fabric: cotton, Samuel Taylors. Made: 2013 

Trousers: Gap 

Scarf: Marimekko

Socks: Gap 

Watch: Black G Shock

Shoes: Paul Smith black patent loafers

This was my first ever Grainline Scout tee in a classic black dotty cotton. It is an easy wear for warm days.

Day Ten

Dress: So Over It Alex Shirt Dress. Fabric: Stoff and Stil. Made: 2017 

Watch: Black G Shock

Trainers: Nike

I am super happy with this shirt dress. I added a fabric belt last week (which I should have made ages ago) which makes such a difference to wearing it. This simple belt addition seems to somehow make it more polished! In the background, you can see a beautiful version of the River Quilt by Jenny Haynes at the Village Haberdashery in West Hampstead. I attended one of their Thursday night Sewing Social events were I pretty much finished off the top of my Marimekko River Quilt and met a whole bunch of lovely ladies too. (A big hello to Clea and Kara!).

Day Eleven

Dress: So Over It Zoe Dress. Fabric: Cotton Sateen, Samuel Taylors Made: 2018

Jacket: Levis

Trainers: Nike

My more recent Sew Over It dress. I have worn the Zoe dress quite a few times and the hidden pockets are soooo fab! I am certain to make more of these.

Day Twelve

Sweatshirt: Grainline Linden. Fabric: Cotton knit, Girl Charlee UK. Made: 2016

Top: Top Shop vest

Trousers: Lululemon

Watch: Black G Shock

Trainers: Nike

Super comfy and a little crumpled as I threw it in my bag to wear if the weather cooled down. This was my first ever Linden and I have worn it lots. The grey striped ribbing is from Ray Stitch and is really good quality.

Have you been taking part in Me-Made-May this year?

Re-discovered any hand-made garments or enjoying recent makes more?

Me Made May 2018 Week One

I can't believe that Me-Made-May, the month-long challenge for crafty folks who make their own clothes has come around again so fast! It was the fab brain-child of Zoe of 'So Zo' blog who started it in 2009. This year there are over 1,177 people taking part!

This will be my fifth year participating and I am trying to up the challenge with a focus on assessing the wearability of my me-made wardrobe.

Here is my pledge:

Let's get to the outfits......

Day One

Top: Deer and Doe Melilot Shirt. Fabric: H&M tablecloth. Made: 2018 

Trousers: Gap

Watch: Olive green G Shock

Socks: Paul Smith

Shoes: Paul Smith Green Loafers

I really like this shirt. The only niggle is the twisted collar and off centre button band which I must avoid if I make a second version.

Day Two

Top: Marilla Walker Ilsley Skirt. Fabric: Robert Kauffman Essex linen. Made 2015 

Shirt: Gap

Watch: White G Shock

Necklace: Tatty Devine scissors

Shoes: Paul Smith purple Miller Brogues

A simple and easy to wear skirt. I may change the front elastic section to a flat panel for a more flattering shape.

Day Three

Top: Merino wool turtleneck Uniqlo

Necklace: Dad-made wooden pendant!

Skirt: Ready Ruthie Dolores Pocket Skirt. Fabric: Vintage. Made: 2016

Watch: Olive green G Shock

Shoes: Paul Smith Green Loafers

I love this skirt. The colours in the vintage fabric are gorgeous and give you the opportunity to pair it with so many tops. I also lined it in a beautiful olive green silk! The wooden pendant necklace is very special to me as it was hand-made by my dad as a present for my mum in the 1970's.

Day Four

Top: Top shop shirt with a re-fashioned collar. Mended: 2018
Skirt: Dolores Pocket Skirt. Fabric: Cotton. Made 2014.

Brooch: Tatty Devine Typewriter necklace A/W 2017

Watch: White G Shock 

Shoes: Paul Smith blue suede Miller brogues 

You may know about my recent re-fashion of my favourite shirt (changed the collar) which has extended the life of the garment, always a bonus! The skirt is another Dolores Pocket Skirt which is made of cotton and stuck to my tights all day!

Day Five

Top: Merchant and Mills Camber Set Top. Fabric: Viscose, Samuel Taylors. Made: 2016 

Trousers: Abercrombie and Fitch

Watch: Black G Shock

Trainers: Nike

This Merchant and Mills Camber Set Top has been such a hard-working garment in my spring and summer wardrobe. It coordinates with lots of my coloured trousers and skirts. This awesome backdrop was outside the Fashion and Textiles musuem in Bermondsey.

Day Six

Top: Merchant and Mills Camber Set Top. Fabric: Cotton seersucker. Made: 2017 

Trousers: Lululemon

Necklace: Marimekko

Watch: White G Shock

Trainers: Nike

Another Camber Set top in a more structured white cotton seersucker that my lovely friend Sophie sent me from Hong Kong. The stiffer cotton compared to the viscose version from day five creates a more dramatic silhouette. I am almost blending into the background of an art installation at the Tate Britain here. It was a very happy coincidence that I appear to co-ordinate into the exhibit!

Week one in collage form below already highlights my love for the versatility of separates!

Maybe the warmer weather may encourage some dress-wearing next week?

Are you participating in Me-Made-May this year? How are you getting on?