Me-Made-May 2017 Week Four

Yahoo. The week the weather got it's act together and it felt like summer! As you can see three days of skirts with bare legs and a general sense of not-caring if my pasty white legs may blind somebody as it is too warm to be bothered!

I wore my new BHL Charlotte pencil skirt on Tuesday and loved the fit of it but it is a tighter silhouette than the red Simplicity 2154 I wore on Friday. Overall a really enjoyable week because it felt like summer had arrived.

Day Twenty Two

Top: Grainline Scout Tee in John Lewis Viscose. Made 2014

Trousers: Gap

Necklace: Tatty Devine Brushstroke S/S 2015

Watch: Red G Shock

Shoes: Red Paul Smith Miller Brogues

Day Twenty Three

Skirt: By Hand London Charlotte Pencil Skirt in fabric gifted to me by my friend Sophie. Made 2017

T-Shirt: American Apparel

Necklace: Tatty Devine Watermelon necklace. S/S 2012

Watch: White G Shock

Shoes: Blue suede Paul Smith Miller Brogues

Day Twenty Four

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

Trousers: Gap

Jacket: Levi's denim

Watch: White G Shock

Trainers: Blue Nike Air Pegasus

Day Twenty Five

Top: Merchant and Mills Camber Set Top in viscose from John Lewis sale, London. Made 2017. 

Skirt: Liesl & Co Everyday Skirt in viscose from John Lewis sale, London. Made 2016.

Watch: White G Shock

Bird Brooch: Hand-made 

Shoes: Paul Smith black patent loafers

Day Twenty Six

Top: Zara bought from Traid charity shop in Camden for £4!
Skirt: Simplicity 2154 in poly-cotton twill from Samuel Taylors, Leeds. Made 2013.

Brooch: Tatty Devine

Watch: Red G Shock 

Trainers: Nike blue Pegasus

This year's Me-Made-May is drawing to a close and I have enjoyed it as much as I have for the past three years. It is more fun now that I have a wider range of me-made garments to choose from and interesting to which ones get selected to wear again and again. I will be doing a bit of analysis about my most popular and / or comfortable items next week.

In the meantime enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend as it's supposed to be scorchio!

Check out lots of other cool crafty blogs at #handmademonday organised by Julia of Sum of their Stories.

Out of Control

Help! My WIP (work-in-progress) or UFO (unfinished object) pile has got a little out of hand. As is the case with many sewing enthusiasts, we optimistically cut out projects thinking that we will find an hour here or there to sew them together. This summer I got waylaid with my house renovation. Instead of sewing my WIP's I was re-painting the garage floor or sanding and painting balcony railings... the list of DIY jobs I had was endless (and I still need to finish a few before Christmas).

The mad thing is that I now have a huge pile of seasonally inappropriate garments cut out.

First up is my 'summer' dressing gown...

The Buchanan pattern was gifted to me by my friend Sophie. I imported the blue Paul Frank fabric from Hong Kong a couple of years ago and the red cotton contrast collar and cuff also comes from my stash. I don't think it will take too long to sew up, but I won't really wear it until the spring.

Next up is a summer dress. The Dixie DIY Bonnell dress was enthusiastically cut out in July. I had high hopes of sauntering around London in this lovely red viscose beauty but alas it didn't happen. The fabric was a bargain £2.00 a metre from a stall on Chapel Street Market in Islington.

Onto a fun summery seperate, the Liesl & Co Everyday Skirt. This is my second version and I am really looking forward to wearing this black and white one (whenever that will be!). The viscose fabric was from the spring sale at John Lewis at £7 per metre.

This next garment is about 90% completed. It is the Colette Laurel shift dress. Despite the beautiful Liberty Tana Lawn fabric called Kinetic, I lost my sew-jo with the back fastening and the neckline. I am sure I could finish this in about half an hour but as its a lightweight cotton dress, it won't really be worn until the spring!

My last WIP is something that I could wear this season. I cut it out at the end of the summer after rediscovering this awesome vintage fabric I've had for about ten years. I strongly suspect it was probably some curtains in its previous life but with just over a metre I was limited to what garment I could make with this crazy print.

The added complication of the missing corner restricted the choice of garment even more. As luck would have it the Ready Ruthie Dolores Pocket Skirt fitted quite well!

Not enough fabric for perfect pattern matching. Instead I chose selection of the main motifs found on the skirt to balance out the pattern. What pockets? 

Some organic cotton from my stash worked perfectly for the pocket linings and hem facing. I didn't stop there. The darker autumnal colours matched perfectly with a metre of olive green silk I have had in my stash since my Textiles Degree (over 20 years ago) so I splashed out and cut the lining in silk!

That makes five part completed works in progress. I hope to get some of these sewn up soon, especially the vintage fabric Dolores Pocket Skirt as I can see myself wearing this for work.

Have you got any WIP's or UFO's that are hanging around too long?

Me Made May 2016 Week Two

The second week of Me-Made-May has flown by. For those of you who live in the UK can attest it has been the weirdest week weather wise!
Monday was scorchio then on Tuesday the heavens opened to full on torrential rain for two days and back to hot and humid temperatures on Thursday and Friday. Luckily I managed to wear appropriate attire (making sure I had a cardigan and raincoat in my bag!).

Day Nine

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

Skirt: SOI Tulip skirt in blue medium weight cotton from Ray Stitch, Islington. Made 2014

Necklace: Tatty Devine Phone Call necklace S/S 2016

Watch: Red G Shock 

Shoes: Paul Smith red Miller brogues

Day Ten

Top: Grainline Scout Tee in 100% cotton from Samuel Taylors, Leeds. Made 2013 

Trousers: Gap 

Necklace: Tatty Devine (Sample Sale 2016) Spaceship Statement necklace S/S 2014 

Watch: Clear G Shock 

Trainers: New Balance

Day Eleven

Top: Simplicity 1634 in Liberty Tana Lawn, Sharkut, Kensington. Made 2015

Trousers: Gap 

Necklace: Tatty Devine (Sample Sale 2016) Jewel Print Triple necklace A/W 2013 

Watch: Clear G Shock

Shoes: Paul Smith tan Marcello loafers 

Day Twelve

Top: Grainline Scout Tee in 100% cotton gifted by Sophie, Hong Kong. Made 2016

Trousers: Gap 

Necklace: Tatty Devine 

Watch: Clear G Shock 

Trainers: New Balance

Day Thirteen

Top: Grainline Scout Tee in viscose from John Lewis sale, London. Made 2014. 

Skirt: Liesl & Co Everyday Skirt in viscose from John Lewis sale, London. Made 2015.

Watch: Red G Shock 

Shoes: Paul Smith red Miller brogues

A surprise entry for Friday with a top & skirt combo that looks like a dress because they are made in the same lovely drapey viscose! It was the first time I have worn them together and I got lots of compliments from work colleagues today which is always a bonus when you have made the garments yourself.

How are you getting on with Me-Made-May this year?

2015 Round-Up

I have enjoyed sewing and crafting loads this year. It has been a welcome break to work and now the house renovations have eased up somewhat I have had the opportunity to get creative.

My top instagram images show a decent range of me-made-makes:

A summary of my makes are (not all blogged):

• McCall's M6696 shirtdress in Liberty corduroy
• Sew Over It 1960's coat in cashmere and wool mix herringbone
• Simplicity 1364 top in Liberty Tana Lawn - stash
• Colette Laurel top in cotton - stash
• Colette Sorbetto top in cotton - stash
• Liesl & Co Everday skirt in John Lewis viscose - stash
• Dolores Pocket skirt in re-fashioned cotton fabric - vintage
• Marilla Walker's Isley skirt in Robert Kaufman linen - stash
• Dixie DIY Bonnell dress in cotton - stash
• Charity shop re-fashions (dress to top & maxi skirt to midi skirt)
• Self-drafted skirt with pockets - stash
• Sew Over It Ultimate shirt in Liberty Tana Lawn - stash
• Two applique Creeper Face cushions - stash
• Re-fashion men's cotton shirt to Liesl & Co skirt
• Tilly and the Buttons Bettine dress in gingham - stash
• Tilly and the Buttons Fifi camisole and shorts in cotton - gifted cotton from Hong Kong
• Ten Marimekko cushions - stash
• Patchwork Baby Quilt
• Sew Over It Francine jacket - stash
• Two applique Christmas stockings
• Grainline Scout tee in GirlCharlee UK knit - SewBrum winnings
• Named Alpi Chinos shorts (still not finished)
• Burda Style 7123 trousers (still need hemming and crotch fitting issues resolved)

The pie chart indicates the volume of makes by type. My need to decorate my home after the house renovation with lots and lots of cushions has slightly skewed the results a tad! 

Well, I'm pretty happy with the volume of makes. It averaged out to over two makes per month.
Not bad at all.

I have learnt lots of new skills including sewing; a fully lined coat and jacket, a t-shirt in knit fabric, a camisole and my first patchwork baby quilt.

My loose sewing plans for 2016 are:

• To sew a pair of trousers that fit - I don't mind what pattern at this moment
• To learn how to do bound button-holes - and then make a jacket using the technique
• Make more items using knit fabric - a Grainline Linden sweatshirt / Colette Mabel & Moneta / Tilly and the Buttons Agnes & Coco / Named Geneva Raglan tee & Sloane sweatshirt
• Make a summer dressing gown with The Buchanan pattern by Gather (using only stash fabric)
• To use more of my stash patterns (a lot mentioned above)
• Use more stash fabric than I purchase!

That's about it for now I think - that is plenty to be getting on with!

How about you? Have you got any plans for 2016?

Me-Made-May 2015 final week

My second year of participating in Me-Made-May hosted by the lovely Zoe was so much easier because I had a wider range of me-made clothing to choose from.
I pledged to wear me-made clothing and accessories from Monday to Friday again as I am still finishing the renovation of my house and knew I would be wearing the same painted DIY clothes most weekends. Having said that I did manage to squeeze in a few me-made outfits on the odd weekend when popping out of the house.

Before I conclude my 'findings', this is what I wore for the final week of May.

Day 23

Top: American Apparel

Skirt: Marilla Walker Ilsley skirt - me-made 2015

Scarf: Marimekko

Jacket: Levis

Shoes: Vans

Day 24

Top: American Apparel

Skirt: Warhol Dolores Pocket skirt - me-made 2015

Shoes: Birkenstock

Day 26

Top: Gap

Dress: Simplicity 9620 - me-made 2014

Leggings: Abercrombie and Fitch

Shoes: Vans

Day 27

Dress: Blue vintage dress - me-mended 2014

Shoes: Vans

Day 28

Top: Uniqlo t-shirt (Jonathan Adler collaboration)

Skirt: Colette Ginger skirt - me-made 2013

Leggings: Warehouse

Necklace: Marimekko

Shoes: Paul Smith purple Dante brogues

Day 29

Dress: Dixie DIY Bonnell - me-made 2015

Day 30

Top: 1970's vintage

Skirt: Marilla Walker Ilsley skirt - me-made 2015

Shoes: Birkenstock

My colourful final Me-Made-May 2015 collage.

Observations

I don't think it needs spelling out but I will anyway; I love separates!

As you can see from the above collage I have a wide range of black and white OR solid colour separates interspersed with a generous sprinkling of colourful abstract prints.

Seven new makes

I managed to make lots of new items in April and May that broadened my selection of me-made choices this year; Liberty Simplicity 1634 top, self-drafted tree skirt, Colette Laurel top, Colette Spotty Sorbetto top, Liesl & Co Everyday skirt, Warhol Dolores Pocket skirt and Dixie DIY Bonnell dress.

Conclusions and challenges

I enjoyed it much more this year as I have been honing my me-made wardrobe since MMM 2014, but there is still work to be done. I mentioned in my concluding comments last year that I needed to make some trousers - looks like this will be something I need to address before next MMM! I would also like to bust more of my fabric stash, actually make some of the dresses from my embarrassingly extensive collection of patterns , make a button up shirt and maybe some shorts. 

Favourite thing

My favourite aspect of taking part in MMM is the sense of camaraderie and friendship from other sewing bloggers. I loved the daily scroll through the Flcker group and instagram photos as well as discovering some awesome new blogs to read.

I have now added the following amazing sewers to my ever-expanding blog roll:

• Kathrina from Frobelina
• This is Moonlight
• Jo Sews
• Just Sew Jenna
• Sew Amy Sew

I am already looking forward to Me-Made-May 2016 and I hope that I will have met some of my sewing ambitions during the rest of the year.

Me-Made-May 2015 Week 4

A great collection of colours this week. As my original pledge was to wear me-mades from Monday to Friday I 'over-achieved' with 6 days this week!

I included last Sunday's Everyday skirt in the round-up as the weather was pretty sunny in London. I stupidly sewed through the end of my thumb whilst finishing this skirt in a rush to wear it hence the rather attractive white plaster on my thumb in many of the photos this week.

Needless to say the rest of the week was considerably cooler weather wise hence the mega-layering going on.

Day 17

Vest top: Gap

Skirt: Liesl & co Everyday skirt - me-made 2015

Shoes: White Birkenstock

Day 18

Top: Colette Sorbetto - me-made 2015

Top: Gap long sleeved tee

Trousers: Gap

Cardigan: Gap

Necklace: Marimekko

Shoes: Paul Smith black patent Marcello loafers

Day 19

Top: Silk tee David David

Skirt: Sew Over It Tulip skirt - me-made 2014

Leggings: Warehouse

Shoes: Paul Smith black patent Marcello loafers

Day 20

Top: Gap long sleeved tee

Cardigan: Gap

Skirt: Sew Over It Tulip skirt - me-made 2014

Necklace: Tatty Devine 2013 sample sale

Leggings: Warehouse

Shoes: Paul Smith black patent Marcello loafers

Day 21

Top: Grainline Scout Woven tee - me-made 2014

Top: Gap long sleeved tee

Trousers: Gap

Cardigan: Gap

Scarf: Marimekko

Shoes: Paul Smith black patent Marcello loafers

Day 22 - Animal Theme

Top: Top Shop silk dress cut into top after shrinking in the wash - me-modified 2015

Cardigan: Gap

Skirt: Marimekko sale 2014

Necklace: Tatty Devine Parakeet workshop - me-made 2015

Shoes: Paul Smith purple Dante brogues

When I compare this year's MMM with last year I am finding the daily challenge of choosing outfits so much easier because I have more to choose from. I have noticed that I have worn 100% separates so far this month which is interesting especially considering I seem to have lots of dress pattern in my stash that I never get around to making like the BHL Flora, BHL Anna, Deer & Doe Belladone... the list goes on!

I recently read Sophie from Ada Spragg's post 'Love to sew v love to wear' which totally resonated with me after realising how much I lust after dress patterns but in reality (as evidenced so far in MMM) ONLY  wear separates. Maybe it's because I haven't got round to busting out those gorgeous dress patterns and actually made one that is skewing the results?! To be realistic I have only got three me-made dresses to choose from anyway!

How is your Me-Made May coming along?
Have you noticed any similarities / gaps in your me-made wardrobe?

Are you fed up of asking other people to take your daily photo or had enough of selfies?

Or are you still enjoying the challenge?

Liesl & Co Everyday skirt

I downloaded and taped together the Liesl & Co Everyday skirt PDF immediately after seeing Katie's version in 2014 and it has been sat in a bag ever since. A combination of Me-Made-May and a recent stash audit motivated me to get this cute skirt finished.

I wish I had finished it earlier because I can see myself making a whole bunch more of them now that it is in its completed state.

I added about 8cm to the finished skirt length as I could see from Katie's version it would probably run a little short for me, other than that modification it was a lovely make. Oh, I used a section of iron-on facing on the pocket lining to stabilise and give it a bit of structure.

I kind of adapted the back section for the elastic with a separate tube because the viscose was a little tricky to work with for this final detail (although, I am sure it would be fine with a more stable fabric). I think the next version should be a lovely chambray or soft cotton. What do you think?

Here are the close ups:

Scout Jamboree

It appears I have enough Scouts for a jamboree!
OK, so I'm not talking about those kind of Scouts but the Grainline Scout Woven tee ones...

I have wanted to make a Grainline Scout tee in a fabric than drapes (unlike my cotton versions) for a while and the opportunity arose partly due to the fact that I managed to score 3 metres of this lovely (admittedly slightly crazy) abstract viscose in the John Lewis sale. This is before I officially signed up to the Summer Stash Bust 2014. Honest.

After making my original Scout tee in black polka dot cotton I realised the back was a little too full for my liking. Soooo I amended the pattern to have a centre back seam that curves towards the waistline and back out again removing about 2.5 cm from the fullness at the back of the top. It seems to have worked out pretty well and have made a few versions using this adaptation.

Version one - black polka dot cotton

Version two - red polka dot cotton (made during Me-Made-May) - with centre back seam

Version three - b&w print cotton by Kim Schaefer (in John Lewis sale) - with centre back seam

Version four - multi coloured abstract print viscose by Penelope - with centre back seam

The viscose version is by far my favourite out of the four because the drape and fall of the garment is so much more fluid and easier to wear. It also happens to be in a rather fab colourful abstract print which I absolutely love!

I have another 2 metres of this lovely viscose left and I'm contemplating making a matching skirt using the Everyday Skirt by Liesl and Co after spotting Katie's ikat skirt from What Katie Sews. 

If I made a skirt to match my new Scout tee I could participate in Ada Spragg's Two-Piece-Set-Acular!

What do you think I should sew with my remaining viscose?