Late reflections on Me-Made-May 2014

Here's how we spent WA Day today:

I also took the time to make a list of everything I wore in the Me-Made-May 2014 Challenge.  I challenged myself to wear 3-4 items of me-made clothes and/or accessories, which meant a minimum of 13 items and I managed 14, which I'm very happy with thank you very much :)

What did I learn from my challenge?

That I would love a wardrobe consisting solely of Anna dresses, splice skirts and Plantain tops.

I would like to make more knit items, especially running gear, more Plantain tops and swimsuits.

Fluffy scarves are my feel good item for winter :)

If you find something that fits well, you love the fabric and it's easy to make lots of the item, you can be wearing the items for years to come.

It really is worth finding an item that fits well, is in a lovely, unique, comfy fabric - and to take the time to ensure it fits all your idiosyncracies! (In my case, big top and no waist!)

Hexagons still rock my world! :)

Hexagon bag for my last Me-Made-May item - made using vintage fabrics and info from 'Sew' by Cath Kidston

And here's the other side :)

And ... it's day 36 of my blogging challenge - I know this for sure, as I've put it all down on a calendar, no more excuses for muddles!

A cold remedy, Me-Made-May 2014 and a question of vintage ... or not ...

Firstly, I've lost track of the days before I leave for the UK ...

Secondly, I'm sitting here sipping the best cold elixir ever as I write this.  I was going to reach for the ibuprofen because of sinus pain, when a friend offered to make me a honey and apple cider vinegar drink.  Oh my word!  It really worked and I didn't needto reach for the pills ... a simple recipe, 1tbs honey, 1tbs apple cider vinegar in a mug, then fill up with hot water and stir.  Sip away!  Much, much tastier than a Lemsip (yeuch!)

This blasted cold is the reason for my having lost my blogging mojo for the past couple of days.  I was off work yesterday and just slept the whole day instead, which to be honest was probably the best medicine.

So I have another me-made-May item to share with you as well.  It's another splice skirt! I love them so much.  I was even looking at quilting fabrics the other day, imagining which ones would go together in another splice rather than which quilting project I want to do next :)  Quilting fabrics are just so beautiful aren't they? 

And of course, I've been working on my crochet fusion blanket.  Using my beautiful and faithful old 100 Classica Husqvarna machine.  Seeing as it was bought for me nearly 24 years ago, can I class it as vintage yet?

Me-Made-May 2014 - Anna dress

It's now day 25 of my countdown/blogging challenge. 

Anna reflected in our new doors!

Today is also the start of week 4 of my me-made-May challenge.  I wore my first Anna dress to work today.  It reminded me of one of the joys of dressmaking - getting a garment fitted to your own body shape.  I usually have to do an FBA, but use a smaller pattern piece for the hips.  Also I don't have much of a waist so I like dresses to make me look like I have one - and this one does that.  Even one of my work mates said it highlighted my waist nicely!  And another work mate asked me to make one for her :)  A hit all round I think.  So, if you haven't already, check out the Anna dress pattern from By Hand London.  It' so beautiful to sew and there are plenty of tips on the blog as to how to perform various pattern alterations to get a great fit.

And yes, the fact that I want more Anna dresses in my wardrobe has become apparent in this challenge and will be put on my list.

I have some lovely microfibre fabric in a dark green that I bought to make trousers; it turns out it's too thin for pants, but I think it would make a fabulous long length Anna for winter work days :)

Here are more pics of me eing twirly in my Anna.

Me-made-May 2014 - Plantain Top

Day 24 of my countdown to the UK.  :)

This is the 3rd week of my me-made-May challenge.  I've worn a top for a second time this week, my green t-shirt with the heavenly faces on it.  So in fact I've managed to wear 4 items this week - the 4th being my Plantain top by Deer & Doe, which I have blogged about here.

By far, my stretch knit items are getting the most wear (if you include my running skort).  Yet, I always see myself as sewing wovens.  Hmmm ... I'm definitely thinking I would like to include more knitted fabric items in my wardrobe.  They are so easy to fit and comfy to wear, and as I'm discovering, much easier to sew than first thought.  That's another thing to add to my list of knowledge gained from Me-made-May.

I'd also like to thank the people who've been commenting on my posts during my 'comeback'.  Your support and encouragement are greatly appreciated and I'm sorry I haven't got round to replying to each one of you - I do intend to, it might just take time.  But you're all being sent a hug xxxx

Me-made-May 2014 - pink fluffy scarf

OK - so Saturday would be day 20 of my blogging challenge/countdown to the UK.  It's a bit late in being written as we've been to friends and had a wine and pizza evening.  Very pleasant, but not conducive to getting things done on time :)

Anyhoo ... it's my second day of my third week of my made-May 2014 challenge.  (Apols for photos; they were taken on my phone at dusk!)  Today I've been wearing my favourite me-made scarf.  It's very pink and very fluffy and I love it.  It's my feel good scarf.  It's warm and it makes me feel happy - win-win!

I knitted it when I first moved to the Hills so it's approximately 8 years old.  Consequently I can't remember the pattern or the wool I used, but I have some recollection of getting it in Spotlight.  You know it's a good handmade item when you wear it year after year just because it feels good.

Do you have anything like that in your wardrobe?

A day late ... Laurel top - me-made-May 2014

Oops - a day late - so this post is for yesterday ...

It's my first day of week 3 of me-made-May - and I wore my 'Laurel' top by Colette patterns.  I've cheated and used some photos from when I made it last year. (The top is not looking its best after being worn all day yesterday).

For those of you who don't know the Laurel pattern is available as a dress or a top.  I love the top and made the size as given without any pattern changes and it fits well.  I used the keyhole neckline variation.  The pattern is easy to follow and very quick to make.  I recommend it :)

Not sure where I am with the countdown, I'll have to read my blog to find out!

Hand knitted socks

Eeek - day 16 already!  Time sure flies.  And we're nearly halfway through May!

It's my second week of me-made-May, and here's my third item for the week, a pair of hand-knitted socks :)  They took me nearly 2 winters to complete, because to be honest I was terrified of knitting on 5 needles - but I persevered and hey presto!  The more you knit, the less holey your socks are - practise does make perfect it would seem :)

The socks are very, very comfy.  I don't think you can beat a handmade sock for comfort actually!  I wore them all day, and they are as comfy as when I first put them on this morning.

These are made from a self-striping yarn, Spotlight's own if I remember correctly.  It seems very similar to Patons Patonyle, only cheaper and to be honest not as good quality :(  But I like the colours, and for a first pair of socks the yarn was fine.

The pattern was from an old Spotlight magazine, though you are bound to be able to find similar patterns on the net.  I just wanted a simple pattern as the wool is so stripey.  Next I would love to try cabled socks. 

Yes, more self-made socks are definitely on the agenda now I've overcome my fear of multi-needles!

Upcycled skirt from trousers

Remember this?  (Tutorial here)  It's my skirt made from a pair of woollen trousers, which made me look like a granny!  I loved the material though, so made a skirt instead.

So it's item number 2 of my second week of me-made-May.  I haven't worn the skirt for a while, and this has been a brilliant opportunity to start wearing it again.

Today whilst decluttering I found a pile of clothes I've been keeping to recycle, some items even had little notes pinned to them with instructions for improvements.

Looks like I'd better start upcycling ...

(Day 12 of countdown)

Splice skirt - my favourite!

I think I'm on day 10?

This is my first item of the second week of me-made-May, and it's one of my favourites - the splice skirt, a pattern by Jody Pearl.  (Should not have just gone to the site to check the link worked, I simply had to buy some of the 'In the Museum' fabric, it's gorgeous!)   It's a fabulous skirt, seems to be flattering on whomever wears it and it's so good to make, it's simpler than it looks, yet it's challenging too. I absolutely love this pattern!!!

And this version is my favourite at the moment out of the 4 I've made.  The first layer is from some vintage fabric I bought on Made-it, the second is some lace from my stash, and the top layer was some fabric I bought on ebay years ago.  It all came together rather nicely don't you think?

I definitely need to make some more splice skirts ...

An old favourite

Day 8 ...

... plus it's my third me-made-May day!  I've achieved my first week with 3 items - yay!  Unwittingly this time I put on an old favourite of mine before I remembered it's also a me-made item.  I can't even remember which pattern I used, although I'm sure the pattern is lurking in the far reaches of my wardrobe ... this should inspire me to go look for it, as this is a tried and tested t-shirt.  I do remember that I bought the material from a boutique fabric shop in Kalamunda several years ago, and I have just enough for the back and front of a new t-shirt which will be finished eventually, when I get the time.

This t-shirt is testament to the fact that when you get it right, spending that extra time dress-making beats buying ready to wear hands down.  Getting the right fitting garment, in a fabric that you know no-one will be wearing in the same way is damn near perfect :)

Jalie 2796 - running skirt

OK, it's day 7 of my counting up and down :) ... and my second day for me-made-May.

Look at that - photo bombed by my dog ..,

Today I'm showcasing my running skirt.  It's made from Jalie 2796 pattern and proper supplex fabric, which wicks moisture away from your body when you run and get hot (basically you don't get too sweaty in your clothes, mmmmm, lovely)  The lovely aqua was from the Remnant Warehouse and the stripey rainbow fabric was from Runner's Fabrics.  The rainbow fabric is beautifully soft and very comfortable.  I would love to make a pair of leggings from this.  It's pricey at approx. $17 per half metre, but well worth it in terms of comfort and wicking capability and the customer service is fab.  There is a good variety of plain and stripey colours available too.

The skirt I'm wearing has in-built shorts, I did take a photo to prove it, but it was fairly horrible to look at so didn't bother to publish here!  You'll just have to take my word for it.  The pattern is for the skirt with shorts in-built or compression shorts, or mini shorts (hot pants!)

And look at this - pockets!  Great for your phone if you're using a running app, or for your car keys.

I found the pattern quick and easy to sew and I want to make lots more!

Winter is coming

Cor ... nearly forgot!  Day 6 ...

First of my me-made-May items - a  fluffy scarf!!  It's funny, but in winter nothing makes me feel more warm and snuggly than a scarf.  And if I happen to be poorly like yesterday, nothing gives comfort more than a fluffy scarf :)

I like this one in shades of yellow and green.

It's a yarn called 'Tracey' from Spotlight, and it seems to be a so-called 'magic ball' of yarn, i.e. it's various yarns knotted together to make a ball.

I knitted it up as shown on the band in lengthwise stripes, but I'm sure it would work as well with Dr Who stripes.

There is a photo of me wearing said scarf, but that one is on my phone and out of reach, so you'll have to wait for that delight.

I've learned one thing already from my me-made-May - I need more fluffy scarves!

Me-Made-May 2014 ...

day 3 of my countdown! (or should it be count-up as I'm counting from 1-80??)

making my feet lovely and cosy ...

These pics are for my niece.  They feature my Totoro slippers, which were a present from my lovely daughter :)  Totoro is a wood spirit ... Google him, I'm sure we'll be talking more about him before long ...

Looking like possums caught in the camera flash light! ...

I made a pledge today for Me-Made-May 14 - very basically it's a chance to show and tell your handmade items, be they sewn, crocheted or knitted clothes and/or accessories.  You don't need to sew a brand new wardrobe!  You can simply get an idea of what you like to wear, and maybe what you will want to make in the future.  There's still enough time to join up in certain parts of the world, so here's the link ... as usual I've left it to the last minute!



But here's my pledge:

'I, Lara, of 'Create for Life' blog, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '14. I endeavour to wear 3-4 me-made items of clothing and/or accessories each week for the duration of May 2014 (which will hopefully help me see what is missing from my wardrobe and inspiring future makes!)'

Let's see how I go ... have you joined in the fun?