Me Made May 2019 Week Three

Week three of Me-Made-May looks like a monochrome week. Lots of black and white prints teamed with a block colour or colourful shoes.

Monday 13th May

Top: Me-mended Top Shop shirt. Mended: 2018

Skirt: Marimekko

Cardigan: Gap

Shoes: Paul Smith black patent loafers

Watch: White G Shock

Necklace: Tatty Devine sample sale 2019

One of my favourite shirts bought from a charity shop in Highgate had a little collar update last year and it is still a go-to item in my work wardrobe.

Tuesday 14th May

Top: Colette Laurel top. Made: 2015

Trousers: Gap

Cardigan: Gap

Shoes: Paul Smith black patent loafers

Socks: Icecreams and ice-lollies were a present from a friend

Watch: White G Shock

Necklace: Tatty Devine sample sale 2019

It has lasted a decent four years so far. The print is not as crisp as it used to be but the cotton is lovely and soft now after many washes.

Wednesday 15th May

Top: Merchant and Mills Camber Set Top. Mended: 2019

Trousers: Anthropologie sale

Ring: Black and white spotty acrylic, Putney charity shop

Socks: Marimekko

Shoes: Paul Smith purple Miller brogues

I am really pleased with my mended Camber Set Top. The bias binding really works as a design feature to hide those unravelling French seams!

Thursday 16th May

Top: Deer and Doe Melilot Shirt. Made: 2018

Trousers: Anthropologie sale

Socks: Paul Smith

Trainers: Nike

Watch: Green G Shock

Ring: Black and white spotty acrylic, Putney charity shop

This was the first shirt I had ever made with a hidden button placket and sleeve plackets! The only problem is the whole front section is slightly shifted to the left (I'm blaming it on the confusing hidden placket instructions) but I still love it and wear it with pride.

Friday 17th May

Jacket: Nina Lee Richmond blazer. Made: 2019

Top: Merchant and Mills Camber Set Top. Made: 2017

Skirt: Liesl & Co Everyday Skirt. Made: 2017

Watch: Green G Shock

Shoes: Paul Smith green loafers

A full outfit of me-made items today. I enjoy wearing the top and skirt together to create the illusion of a dress. The viscose fabric is so soft and comfy to wear too. My Richmond jacket has been getting quite a bit of wear at work but I had to put it in my bag as it got quite warm later in the day and now it is SUPER creased! 

Saturday 18th May

Top: Camber Set Top (underneath my sweatshirt). Made: 2018

Jeans: Abercrombie and Fitch sale

Trainers: Nike

Jacket: Belstaff

The day started very overcast and grey and gradually warmed up. Of course, I don't have any photos of me wearing just my top. It is underneath there, honest!

I went to see the Swinging London exhibition at the Fashion and Textiles Museum in Bermondsey which was fab! If you get a chance to see it I highly recommend it.

Sunday 19th May
Top: Tessuti Monroe Turtleneck. Made: 2018
Trousers: Abercrombie and Fitch jersey pants
Shoes: White Arizona Birkenstocks

Doing chores, catching up on housework and the usual weekly life admin (ironing, cleaning the house etc) in my super comfy Monroe Tutrleneck. This was released before Tilly and the Buttons Nora top which was an IG smash hit when it came out last year - the style lines are VERY similar but the Monroe Turtleneck is FREE!

I have had an amazing week catching up with friends and doing fun things so I'll leave you with a few photo highlights below. How was your week?

 

Monroe Turtleneck & Marimekko magic!

The free PDF Tessuti Fabrics Monroe Turtleneck is a quick make. I used a piece of £3 knit fabric that has been in my stash since October 2017 which I bought from a little fabric store in Fitzrovia. Norman Lyons & Co are a wholesale fabric company who also sell to the public on Cleveland Street. It is a quirky place full of polyester prints, wild dress fabrics and lots of other vintage treasures and bargains. The black cotton knit fabric I bought is a lovely quality and is a good weight too. When I spotted the free PDF Monroe Turtleneck pattern I knew it would make a perfect partnership!

The treasure trove of Norman Lyons & Co fabric shop on Cleveland Street, Fitzrovia

Below are photos of the Monroe turtleneck in progress (I will get some photos of me wearing it on Tuesday). I cut out the size One based on my bust size but overall is is a VERY generous and loose fit. I normally have to lengthen any sleeve but this pattern was the perfect length, although I ended up creating a simple cuff for the sleeve by folding over a length of the fabric and re-attaching.

I also modified the hem by adding two bands of folded fabric to create a split high-low hem. I used my regular machine to sew it up using a 2.5 wide zig-zag with a 2.5 stitch length. The turtle neck on my version sits quite high because the fabric has quite a bit of body, I suspect I will wear it folded over. Something to consider if you have a short neck (and I would say I have a longer than average neck). Overall, the fabric behaved beautifully and it was genuinely fun to sew a whole garment in an afternoon and for only £3.00. I am also linking this to the #makeyourstash hashtag too!

How much do you love this free Monroe Turtleneck? Thiiiiiis muuuucccchh.....

Onto the second part of my post. For any long-time followers of my blog you will know I have BIG LOVE for the Finnish design company Marimekko.  I have made MANY, MANY cushions for my house with their iconic prints (examples here and here). Earlier in the year I attended my first Craft Swish and scored this small piece of black and white Unikko print for free! It would have been rude not to sew another cushion!

And here it is in all it's cushion-ary glory snuggling alongside previously me-made Marimekko cushions.

The Marimekko story does not end there. Fabulous Finnish fortune came my way again on Friday when I dropped off a few items of clothing to Oxfam in Fitzrovia and just as I was leaving I spotted a pretty black and white scarf. The print Gods were looking down on me when I discovered it was a Marimekko scarf for only £5 (usual retail price is between £80 - £120). Yes! I snapped it up and I am looking forward to wearing it this Spring.

Have you had any good sewing / fashion fortune come your way recently?

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