I’m back! There’s
nothing like Me Made May to get back in gear blogging. Sure, there hasn’t been much any
writing going on but there has been sewing.
And if I ever have to make a decision on time, that’s the way it’s going
to go.
I hemmed and hawed for quite a while trying to figure out
my pledge this year. During the warmer
months I rely pretty heavily on dresses but despite spring coming early to
Seattle this year I haven’t been wearing them as much. While I have a number of tops I’ve made, a
lot of them would fall under the T-shirt category. And let’s be honest: that can get pretty
boring to look at. The main reason for
this shift is that I’ve starting teaching afterschool sewing classes at local
elementary schools five days a week. That
means hauling 10-13 sewing machines plus supplies back and forth, and in one
instance up and down stairs. Much easier
to do in pants – so I should probably make some. But I’ve got some RTW pants that fit pretty well
so I haven’t been too inspired on that front.
Needless to say when I do make jeans I’m definitely using one of the
student machines to make construction easier without having to constantly
switch thread.
Ultimately, this was my pledge:
“I,
Erin of fisforflamingo.blogspot.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May ’15. I endeavor to wear at least 1 item of
clothing I’ve made each day and PJs every night for the duration of May
2015. In addition I’ll avoid any
complete outfit duplicates and strive to make at least 1 pair of jeans and
shorts before month end.”
Yeah, so how have I done so far? Let’s check out the game tape… er,
photos. FYI, my hair is the same in the
first several photos because I waited to take them after getting a haircut!
Day 1
·
Deer & Doe Datura.
This was my first version of this blouse and really like
it. It’s gotten a lot of wear year round
with a sweater over it when it’s colder.
I like how the rayon challis drapes and is easy to wear.
Day 2
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Jamie Christina Mission “Maxi
·
Megan Nielsen Briar
So I’ve made a couple Mission Maxis, and while one is
actually a maxi I get more wear out of the minis. This was a sort of a last minute St. Patrick’s
Day make since I knew it would get more than just a once a year wearing. The Kelly green ponte can be worn in Seattle
almost year round and doesn’t ride up if worn with tights. The burnout floral jersey was my first
Briar. Its pure coincidence that the
greens in the dress and shirt match, but will allow me to wear this Briar more
out in public if I’m not in a crop top mood.
Is there an age limit on how old you can be to wear one?
Day 3
·
Maria Denmark Kirsten Kimono Tee
·
McCall’s M6173 leggings
Right off the bat I just want to put it out there that I don’t
believe leggings are pants nor do I wear them as such in public. Of course in the privacy of my own home all
bets are off! I spent the day doing
boring housework and some cross stitch and I like to sit cross-legged on the
couch – which is way more comfortable in leggings than jeans.
Day 4
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Kitschy Coo Lady Skater
This dress gets a lot of wear spring through fall. I doubled up the lightweight burnout floral
jersey and never worry about it being see thru.
Day 5
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Megan Nielsen Briar
This is fabric I threw in my Girl Charlee cart late last
year on a whim… and it ended up being my favorite of the bunch. It’s a soft, cotton blend thin sweater knit
type fabric with black horses printed on it.
I added black ribbing at the neckline and as sleeve bands.
Day 6
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Sewaholic Alma
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Megan Nielsen Tania
This Alma made it’s MMM debut last year and came about
when my serger cut a hole in the bust of a Bleuet. It couldn’t be fixed so I had to go out and
buy more fabric which allowed me to cut this shirt out of the substantial remainder. I’m wearing it with a navy silk noile pair of
Tania culottes, with this pair being cut at the L or XL length. (I can’t quite
remember.) I plan on going into more
detail on them in a future post if only to share my adventure in hemming.
Day 7
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Megan Nielsen Briar
This might be my favorite Briar from 2014 – it has
parrots, nonprecious flowers, and bright accents of aqua and pink. I wear this a lot in the spring/summer and
let it sneak into winter too to remind me that warm weather will return at some
point.
Day 8
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Sewaholic Alma
My first Alma, this goes all the way back to MMM13. Last year I wore almost this exact same outfit,
subbing in capris for jeans. I almost
wore the same big, floral necklace too before I realized the jangling would
drive me insane while leaning over while teaching.
Day 9
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Maria Denmark Kirsten Kimono Tee
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Megan Nielsen Tania Culottes
This kimono tee was made specifically with these culottes
in mind. I wanted something that didn’t
have to be tucked in or be too long if I didn’t. These Tanias are way up on my all-time
favorite makes list. It contains a lot
of my faves: blue/green in color, polka dots and a short length. Plus I actually graded the pattern properly in
order for it to fit my waist. These are
a favorite to wear in warm weather as the rayon challis stays nice and cool and
the swishyness of the legs create mini breezes as I walk. (TMI?)
Day 10
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Jamie Christina Mission Maxi Tank
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Kwik-Sew K3892
Another laid back day at home. This was my test version of the Mission Maxi
and despite being over a year old; I still have yet to properly hem it. The edge is simply serged, honestly at this
point I seriously doubt I’ll ever go back and twin hem it. The weather temperature inside went back and
forth between chilly and warm so I was constantly putting on/taking off this
sweatshirt. I was originally drawn to
the wider neckline than what is usually offered but after making it I think it’s
too wide. I really should rip the
ribbing off and replace it with a wider band.
I got the polka dot ponte in the same order as the purple horses but am disappointed
in it. The ponte looks a little too polyestery
for me and is pretty thin. The black sweatshirt fleece on the contrast sleeves
was so much thicker and warmer that I ended up buying some in white and
interlining the ponte with it. So now it’s
nice and cozy and the polka dots help take my mind off the appearance of the
ponte.
Day 11
·
Deer & Doe Plantain
Having made a couple of Plantains now I definitely prefer
when it’s made from a knit with a lot of drape.
Despite having to cut this slightly off-grain in order to keep the print
straight it’s held up well and hasn’t gotten too twisty.
In general, MMM15 has gone well so far, but it’s still
early. I’ve worn a skirt a couple times
during the week – some schools make it easier than others – and kept a good mix
of shirt patterns going on. I even mowed
the lawn in my Mission Mini/Briar combo!
I was smarter last weekend and had a change of clothes (Striped Kirsten
Kimono Tee included) so I didn’t get my Tanias sweaty. Spring in Seattle is still pretty chilly in
the mornings and evenings and clearly my #1 way survive is to add boots.
As an added bonus I’m introducing the next generation of
sewers to Me Made May. Most of my students
have already caught on that I wear a lot of the clothes they see me wear and often
ask questions about them. I even had
questions about how could they participate if the only clothing they’ve made is
an apron. Completely adorable! Regardless I’m seeing a huge interest in
sewing at the elementary level which can only be a good sign for the future.
