Me-Made-May 2019 Week Two

A Bank Holiday Monday in the UK always cheers you up! What a great way to start the week not having to go to work (unless you work in retail or hospitality of course).  My boyfriend and I visited the Grand Design Live show at the Excel Centre in London to get some inspiration for house related DIY stuff which was great fun. You can see me here looking very happy at the thought of bumping into Kevin McCloud. We did, but only in cardboard form!

Monday 6th May

Top: Superlover sweatshirt

Top: Camber Set top. Made: 2018

Jacket: Belstaff Roadmaster 2012

Jeans: Diesel

It wasn't warm enough to remove my sweatshirt for the photo, you are just going to have to trust me there is a black Merchant and Mills Camber Set top on underneath the layers!

Tuesday 7th May
Top: Grainline Scout tee. Made: 2016
Trousers: Sew Over It Cigarette Pants. Made: September 2018
Socks: Gap
Shoes: Paul Smith loafers
Cardigan: Abercrombie and Fitch sale
Watch: Red G Shock

A combination of me-made trousers AND top today. Both well used and worn. The Scout tee in this version is made in double gauze and it needed pulling down before taking a photo - but hey - I'm not bothered!

Wednesday 8th May
Top: Simplicity 1364. Liberty print. Made: 2015
Trousers: Sew Over It Cigarette Pants. Made: September 2018
Socks: Gap
Shoes: Paul Smith blue suede Miller brogues
Watch: White G Shock

Every time I wear this top I wonder why I haven't made any more of them. It is a flattering silhouette and a fairly straight forward make. I would change the inner facings to a sewn-in version as they always flap about!

Thursday 9th May

Top: Uniqlo merino wool polo neck sweater

Skirt: Simplicity 2154. Made: 2016

Shoes: Paul Smith burgundy loafers

Watch: Clear G Shock

The inclement weather had me wearing a warm merino sweater and a smart navy pencil skirt which was re-made from a previous skirt (read about it here).

Friday 10th May
Dress: Sew Over It Ultimate Shift Dress. Made: 2017
Jacket: Benneton sale
Shoes: Paul Smith purple Miller brogues

I love this dress but the fabric has really faded over the two years I have made it (you can see it in its original glory here). The silk lining has also shrunk so that it doesn't really serve the purpose of stopping my tights from sticking to my dress as it now only covers about an inch below my butt! I may just cut out the lining altogether or re-line it? Is that too much effort?

Saturday 11th May

Jacket: Belstaff

Top: Grainline Linden sweatshirt. Liberty jersey. Made: 2016

Trousers: Lululemon 'On the Fly' pants

Trainers: Nike

Me and Kurt Cobain in East London conversing about the crazy UK weather. One minute it is hot and sunny, the next minute, HAIL!

How has your week been?

Navy Sew Over It Cigarette Pants AKA Grown-Up Trousers

I have 100% embraced the slow-sewing movement by taking an absolute age to complete the Sew Over It Cigarette Pants. Not only have I inadvertently joined an elite gang of mindful sewists I have also joined the ranks of 'grown-up' sewing. I made a pair of navy trousers - not a bright, crazy print in sight!

I cut out the navy crepe in February, attended a Master Class with the delightful Julie Johnston at Sew Over It Islington in March to help me with the fitting.
For the most part, my inactivity can be attributed to my sewing machine still being on the blink so sewing at home was difficult. Another burst of activity happened in May and June at the Village Haberdashery Social Sewing evenings where I would sew a few more elements of the pants.

I eventually finished them this weekend and it coincided with the fixing of my beloved Bernina sewing machine (which I will tell you about another time).

The navy crepe I have had in my stash for years and I have no clue of the origins or fibre content. The pocket linings are leftover scraps from a Camber Set Dress. It is a beautiful Windham fabrics cotton purchased from Ray Stitch.

This is my second pair of Sew Over It Cigarette Pants. I made my first version of these trousers in a soft linen mix which has slightly stretched since I made them in 2016. The other annoying thing about my first pair was I had to significantly take them in on the outer seam which means the pocket openings are so tight I can only just squeeze my hand in!

This second version was adjusted with the help of the lovely Julie at SOI.
Changes are as follows:

• Redrafted the pocket openings 
• Narrowed the leg width around the thigh and hip area
• Lengthened the waistband so I could have a longer overlap

I am totally happy with the fit now and I would happily add another pair to my wardrobe. I hope it doesn't take me seven months to make the next pair!

I must show you the pretty guts too. I couldn't have a completely plain pair of trousers now, could I?

Have you had a sewing project that has taken you ages to finish?

Me Made May 2016 Week One

This is my third year taking part in Me-Made-May the brainchild of the lovely Zoe of SoZo Blog.
I pledged to wear something me-made or me-mended / up-cycled every weekday.

I also mentioned I would blog a weekly progress report and share my outfits on Instagram (I have subsequently quit IG due to the overwhelming desire to update my own IG or check other peoples updates in an alarmingly addictive manner). I have scrapped the IG bit of my pledge and will stick to my blog!

My first foray into MMM in 2014 was a rather repetitive and sparse affair.  Since then I have been refining my makes and have taken quite a number of me-makes to the charity shop or am in the process of re-fashioning them. This leaves me with a much more usable wardrobe in 2016 but there is still work to be done....

Day Two

Top: Colette Laurel Top in 100% cotton from Samuel Taylors, Leeds. Made 2015

Jacket: Top Shop 2009

Trousers: Gap

Bangles: Marimekko

Watch: White G Shock 

Shoes: Paul Smith purple Dante Oxfords

Day Three

Shirt: Gap

Skirt: Simplicity 2154 in poly-cotton twill from Samuel Taylors, Leeds. Made 2013.

Cardigan: Gap

Necklace: Marimekko

Watch: Red G Shock 

Shoes: Paul Smith black patent loafers

Day Four

Top: Grainline Scout Tee 100% cotton from Sophie, Hong Kong (underlined with cotton batiste). Made 2016

Trousers: Gap

Cardigan: Gap

Watch: Clear solar G Shock

Shoes: Paul Smith brown loafers

Day Five

Top: Gap

Trousers: Sew Over It Cigarette Pants in linen / cotton blend from SOI Clapham. Made 2016

Cardigan: Gap

Watch: White G Shock

Shoes: Paul Smith brown loafers

Day Six

Dress: Vintage hand-made 1960's dress purchased at Pop Boutique, Leeds. Mended 2015

Watch: Olive green G Shock

Shoes: Paul Smith black patent loafers

Cigarette Pants Success!

One of my main sewing ambitions this year was to learn how to make a successful pair of trousers. A friend has made several pairs of the Sew Over It Cigarette Pants and highly recommended the course taught by the lovely Julie Johnson.

I embarked upon the three week course at the end of February and made a wonderful pair of trousers using a beautifully textured navy blue and white linen that I bought from Sew Over It. I thoroughly enjoyed making these and was super excited to learn how to make a fly-front zip.

Here are a few visual highlights. I took my time matching the lines in the fabric - I managed it for the most part!