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?

 

Nina Lee Richmond Blazer

Hey, I have been busy in the first month of 2019 pattern testing Nina Lee's new Richmond Blazer. She requested pattern testers in late December and I was lucky enough to be chosen to pattern test before the launch on Friday 25th January.

If you are a fan of clean lines and classic styling then you will love the Richmond Blazer. It has a notched collar, welt pockets with flaps and is fully lined.

I made mine up in a bottle green linen that I got free at a 'Swish' almost a year ago. Some long-time readers may recognise the lining as another bargain fabric in the form of a tablecloth I bought in the H&M home sale section in 2017 (I made my New Look 6446 jumpsuit with it last year).

It is an involved and enjoyable make. The written instructions and illustrations are excellent and beautifully presented in a handy guide. I made my very first welt pockets following Nina's instructions and didn't feel the need to google a youtube video or search for more advice online because her advice is so clear every step of the way!

I am really proud of this make and it came together in very intense after-work sessions starting on the 10th January and finishing on the 16th January. I can definitely see another Richmond Blazer in my wardrobe in a different fabric.

Here are some construction shots and the finished blazer.

I understitched the collar by hand

The lining worked out really well. I bought some olive green/grey bamboo from Ray Stitch for the sleeve lining

Marking out my first ever the welt pocket with hand-basting

Thank you to Alex (Selkie Patterns) at The Village Haberdashery for taking these photos!

I really enjoyed making this blazer and if you have never made a jacket before the Richmond Blazer would be an excellent pattern to start with. Nina Lee's really created a fantastic pattern here folks, a perfect wardrobe staple!