Me Made May 2017 Wrap Up

Me Made May 2017 is over. This is my fourth time participating, and the most enjoyable so far. Here are my last three days of the month, followed by my reflections on the experience. If you are interested you can see week one here, week two here, week three here and week four here. A reminder of my pledge for this year can be found here.

Day 29 Monday:

Back to work wearing all Stylearc garments again. A Marita Knit Dress in a printed ponte and my very handy Nina Cardigan in black merino knit.

Day 30 Tuesday:

Off to work on the coldest morning yet, this season, wearing Vogue 8805 in black ponte and black and white printed scuba knit with a Deer and Doe Plantain tunic in black merino underneath. Also wearing my  New Look 6249 coat in a black wool blend knit. Drove through frost for the first time this year on my way to work brrrr.

Day 31 Wednesday:

Last day of the challenge. Off to work wearing my Stylearc Adeline dress in a khaki silk/cotton knit with a Deer and Doe Plantain tunic in cream merino underneath.

My thoughts:

I have enjoyed participating in Me Made May this year, much more than previous years. I have put that down to two factors: my 'me made' wardrobe is by far the most comprehensive it has been since I got back into sewing in 2012, and my very patient husband was available to take the daily photos, usually as I was running out the door on my way to work.

I introduced a new colour to my wardrobe, in the form of a rtw scarf in a bright orange. I have always been told that orange does not suit me and I should avoid it. However, I think the pop of orange has worked well in my existing wardrobe.



As I pledged to only wear 'me made' garments (except underwear, jeans and accessories), this increased the challenge and forced me to think outside the box, to come up with new outfits that were going to keep me warm enough. I realised I was relying far too heavily on a rtw black waterfall cardigan, that was getting quite shabby. This prompted me to replace it with a black merino Stylearc Nina Cardigan sewn up during the month. I have two merino Deer and Doe Plantain tees and two more tunic length merino plantains. I utilised these garments extensively as layering pieces under some of my warmer season outfits which would have been too cold to wear otherwise. I plan to by some more merino knit from The Fabric Store Online to make some more of these handy layering garments. I realised I need to make more warm casual tops for weekend wear and some more jackets/coats for work.

A selection of my favourite outfits

Something I hadn't thought of at the beginning of the challenge was sleep wear. All my pyjamas and dressing gowns are rtw. Time to start sewing my own sleepwear, I think. A few patterns spring to mind: The Carolyn Pajamas from Closet Case Patterns; Fifi Pyjamas from Tilly and the Buttons and the Asaka Kimono from Named Patterns.

Well, Me Made May may be over, but I plan to continue to wear 'me made' everyday. I feel quite accomplished for sticking to my pledge for the entire month and posting daily photos on IG. Thanks so much to all the lovely people who took the time to comment on my daily posts. I have so enjoyed following the other participants and the friendly banter shared amongst fellow sewists. Sewing would be a lonely hobby if it wasn't for social media. And finally, a huge thank you to Zoe for hosting this annual event.

Happy Sewing

Jean

Me Made May 2017 Week Four Roundup

This is my forth time participating in Me Made May, and it is probably my most enjoyable experience, so far. (Read this years pledge here.) I think this can be attributed to two factors... my 'me made' wardrobe is at its most comprehensive and my very obliging husband has been available to take the daily photos. In the past, the daily photos, (although not compulsory), have been a bit of a chore to take, using my camera, tripod and remote.

Day 22 Monday:

Back to work wearing a Stylearc Hedy Designer Dress in a red marle double knit with a Deer and Doe Plantain tunic in cream merino underneath. The reds are appearing more pink in the photo than they are in real life.

Day 23 Tuesday:

Digging deep into my handmade wardrobe and I rediscovered my Stylearc Sammi Woven Pants in grey poly suiting, which I haven't worn in ages. Also wearing a Grainline Studio Archer shirt and a self drafted top in pink fleece. The close up shot shows the lovely burnout pattern in the fabric of my shirt.

Day 24 Wednesday:

I am wearing all Stylearc garments again today. The Kate Dress in a poly/spandex knit called fireworks and a Nina Cardigan in a navy merino knit.

Day 25 Thursday:

Off to work wearing all Stylearc garments. A Sara skirt in black bengaline, a Ginger top in poly knit and a 'hot off the sewing machine' Nina Cardigan in black merino. I have been meaning to sew this cardigan since last years' Me Made May revealed the need. Better late than never, and I think this cardigan will be worn a lot.

Day 26 Friday:

Last day of the working week, wearing Stylearc Andrea Woven Vest in a wool blend, Stylearc Wallis Pants in black ponte and a Deer and Doe Plantain tunic in black merino. 

Day 27 Saturday:

Went for a walk at my local beach this morning, wearing Grainline Studio Archer shirt in floral japanese cotton (yet to be blogged) and Stylearc Elle pants in denim look bengaline. Enjoying the glorious weather, considering winter begins next week.

Day 28 Sunday:

Just arrived home from church this morning, wearing my other Stylearc Hedy Designer Dress. This one is the longer length and the fabric is a bamboo print in a poly/spandex jersey with a Deer and Doe Plantain tunic in black merino knit underneath. My merino tees and tunics as layering garments have enabled me to wear some of my warmer season garments into the cooler season.

Only three more days to go...

Happy Sewing

Jean

Me Made May 2017 Week Three Roundup.

I have reached the end of week three of Me Made May and so far have managed to adhere to my pledge. It has been challenging, but I have come up with alternative ways to stay warm without using my black rtw cardigan (which I have come to realise that I rely on far too heavily). I have managed to cut out a black merino Style Arc Nina Cardigan which I hope to get sewn up during this week. If you haven't been following along on IG @sewjeanmargaret, here is a recap.

Day 15 Monday:

Off to work wearing Style Arc Twiggy Dress in scuba and ponte over a Deer and Doe Plantain tunic in merino knit.

Day 16 Tuesday:

Having a day off work to visit my father who is unwell in Wollongong. Wearing Grainline Studio Archer shirt in white cotton and Style Arc Stacie Jean Jacket in purple denim. Jeans are rtw from Just Jeans several years ago.

Day 17 Wednesday:

Back to work wearing Style Arc Esme Designer Knit Top in purple ponte with a Colette Mabel skirt in the same fabric. The pink top worn underneath is a Deer and Doe Plantain tee in merino.

Day 18 Thursday:

Another work day wearing Style Arc Mary Shift Dress in a jacquard double knit  with a Deer and Doe Plantain tee in merino, underneath.

Day 19 Friday:

Heading off to work wearing all Style Arc garments today. A Elsie Woven Over Shirt in navy and white polka dot rayon, Barb's Stretch Pants (with bootleg alteration) in midnight bengaline and a Nina Cardigan in navy merino. These are three of my favourite Style Arc patterns and together they make a great outfit. This was also my entry into the #StyleArcstreetstyle competition on IG.

Day 20 Saturday:

Planning to spend this miserable wet day in my sewing room. Wearing Tilly and the Buttons Coco tunic in pink fleece and rtw jeans.

Saturday Evening:

Date night wearing McCalls 6044 cardigan in red ponte and a Colette Mabel skirt in black ponte. 

Hubby got into the act too and wore a McCalls 6044 shirt in white linen.

Day 21 Sunday:

Digging deep into my handmade wardrobe and I found this dress. It's a New Look 6020 made way back in 2012. The fabric is a heavy weight cotton sateen and paired with my Style Arc Estelle Ponte Jacket in wool ponte, worked well for church this morning. I changed later into the same rtw jeans as yesterday with an old Sewaholic Renfrew top. Sorry, no photo.

Ten days to go till the end of Me Made May 2017. Off to start planning some more outfits.

Happy Sewing

Jean.

Me Made May 2017 Week Two Roundup.

Me Made May 17 has challenged me to think outside the box, in terms of coming up with new ways to wear my "me made" clothes. I have enjoyed this process so far, and the tedium of taking daily photos has been alleviated by my ever loving husband, who has been taking the daily photos for me, as I am rushing out the door. You can see my pledge for this year here.

Day 8 Monday:

Just home from work and catching the last rays of sun. Wearing a Tilly and the Buttons Coco tunic in cream ponte with Style Arc Elle pants in khaki bengaline. Also wearing a Deer and Doe Plantain tee in merino underneath for warmth.

Day 9 Tuesday:

Heading off to work on a very chilly morning wearing Style Arc Barbs Stretch Pants in navy bengaline (with bootleg alteration) and a Tilly and the Buttons Coco tunic (with a Sewaholic Renfrew Cowl neckline) in a blue textured knit. Also a Style Arc Estelle Ponte Jacket in a gorgeous wool ponti from Knitwit. All this layered over a Deer and Doe Plantain tee in merino for warmth. I was not going to be cold today.

Day 10 Wednesday:

Rushing off to work wearing Style Arc Marita Knit dress in a brushed poly knit, a Style Arc Stacie Jean Jacket in a stretch denim and a Deer and Doe Plantain tee in merino underneath for warmth. I have been relying heavily on a rtw black waterfall cardigan in the past, so I have had to be creative this month. I have some black merino knit earmarked to be a Style Arc Nina Cardigan in the stash, so I had better get onto it.

Day 11 Thursday:

Another work day wearing Style Arc Barbs Stretch Pants (with bootleg alteration) in black bengaline and a Style Arc Issy Knit Top in a poly knit. A Deer and Doe Plantain tee in merino worn underneath for warmth.

Day 12 Friday:

Last day of the working week. Wearing Style Arc Slip on Suzie dress in a floral poly knit and a Style Arc Estelle Ponte Jacket in taupe ponte. Trying out my new rtw orange scarf. Not a colour I usually wear.

Day 13 Saturday:

A lovely day spent with my husband's family visiting for lunch. Wearing Style Arc Stacie Jean Jacket in floral denim, a Grainline Studio Scout Tee in cream rayon with satin neck binding and Style Arc Elle pants in khaki bengaline.

Day 14 Sunday:

Mother's Day. My youngest daughter drove down from Canberra early this morning to take me out for breakfast. Feeling very blessed this Mother's Day. So proud of all my four children and the exceptional adults they have become. Wearing Paprika Patterns Jasper Dress in polar fleece. Nice and cosy for this chilly day.

Hoping all the mothers out there had a lovely day.

Happy Sewing.

Me Made May 2017 Week One Roundup

Well, Me Made May 2017 is well under way already, with the first week done and dusted. I have loved following the daily posts on Instagram, and I have been posting daily shots of my "me made" outfits on Instagram too. You can find me there @sewjeanmargaret if you are interested. Here's a recap of my pledge for this year's challenge:

'I, Jean of http://sewjeanmargaret.blogspot.com.au/ and @sewjeanmargaret on Instagram, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear only me made garments each day for the duration of May 2017 (excluding underwear, jeans and accessories)'

Day 1 Monday:

The start of the working week, wearing Style Arc Maddison top in black ponte and a Colette Mabel skirt in a printed Italian ponte.

Day 2 Tuesday:

Work day again, wearing Navy and Pink. This is a new combination I hadn't put together before. Colette Mabel skirt in ponte, Grainline Studio Scout Tee in rayon and Style Arc Nina Cardigan in merino knit.

Day 3 Wednesday:

Work day again (this is getting a little monotonous) wearing Tilly and the Buttons Coco dress in black and white striped ponte with a Deer and Doe Plantain in merino underneath for warmth.

Day 4 Thursday:

Another work day over, wearing Style Arc Esme Designer Knit Top in ponte and Style Arc Fay skirt in mosaic print scuba knit. Also wearing a Deer and Doe Plantain in merino underneath for warmth.

Day 5 Friday:

TGIF and the last working day of the week. Wearing Style Arc Estelle Ponte Jacket and Paprika Patterns Jade skirt in this lovely taupe ponte from Style Arc. The top is my very first Grainline Studio Scout Tee, made a few years ago a size too big, but I love how it coordinates with this outfit.

Day 6 Saturday:

A casual day at home catching up on all the domestic duties. Wearing Style Arc Elle pants in navy bengaline, Maria Denmark Kirsten Kimono Tee in a cotton knit and a fleece hoodie I made a few years ago from a Craftsy class.

Day 7 Sunday:

Just arrived home from church wearing New Look 6071 in a purple ponte. Love that this dress is fitting much better since I have lost a few kilo's recently. Many of my "me made" garments have appeared in previous Me Made Mays, but I am trying to wear them in different combinations etc, so that they are not just boring repeats.

A big thank you to my dear husband who has been taking these daily photos for me, without too much grumbling, considering he is recuperating from a fractured pelvis, he sustained from a mountain biking accident a couple of weeks ago.

Off to start planning week two.

Happy sewing

Jean

My Pledge for Me Made May 2017

Well, it's almost that fun time of year again, and time to make my Me Made May pledge for 2017. This will be my fourth year participating in this fun sewing community challenge. Thanks so much to Zoe for organising this wonderful event which is in it's eighth year.

'I, Jean of http://sewjeanmargaret.blogspot.com.au/ and sewjeanmargaret on Instagram, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I endeavour to wear only me made garments each day for the duration of May 2017 (excluding underwear, jeans and accessories)'


I will try to post daily photos on Instagram and I may do a weekly round up on the blog. I'm so looking forward to following along with all the other participants this year. Please join in the fun. You can tailor your challenge to suit yourself. This is not a competition, just a bit of sewing fun.

Happy Sewing

Jean