Me-Made-May 2016: The Final Stretch

Well, Me-Made-May 2016 is closing and I did manage to wear at least one me-made item each day this month. No big deal there. It was an insightful exercise for discovering where some future makes might fill a hole or two in my wardrobe. So, it goes down that maybe I should make some knickers, a new robe, and more pj's.

Wednesday, May 25th, I wore 2 me-made items.

Workwear:  RTW black knit dress; black and white top (Katherine Tilton design), Butterick 5891; RTW undergarments (knickers and bra).

Day and Nightwear:  Home sick by noon promptly proceeded with a change into my nightshirt, OOP McCall's 6600; RTW wool socks.

Accessories:  Black handbag; Mephisto black suede slip-ons; Ray Ban sunglasses.

Lessons learned:  Feeling too sick to think straight.  

Thursday, May 26th, I wore one me-made items.

Sick day:  Blue and black plaid nightshirt, OOP McCall's 6600; RTW knickers.

Nightwear:  Blue and black plaid nightshirt, OOP McCall's 6600.

Accessories:  None.

Lessons learned:  Still feeling too sick to think straight.

Friday, May 27, I wore three me-made items.
Workwear:  Blue knit dress, Vogue 9060 and Vogue 1312; yellow cardigan; RTW undergarments (knickers and bra); RTW black spring coat.

Nightwear:  Pink velour pant, Vogue 9193; gray and pink floral top, Simplicity 2289.

Accessories:  Black leather handbag; black wrist brace; tan coloured wedge shoes.

Lessons learned:

Saturday, May 28, I wore two me-made items.

Weekend wear:  Pink velour pants, Vogue 9193; gray and pink floral top, Simplicity 2289.  

Nightwear:  Pink velour pants, Vogue 9193; gray and pink floral top, Simplicity 2289.  

Accessories:  None

Lessons Learned:  When you're sick, it is easy to spend the whole day in bed without disrupting your evening sleep.  

Sunday, May 29, I wore three me-made items.

Weekend wear:  Black and white knit skirt, OOP Butterick 5790; RTW black sleeveless knit top; RTW black knit cardigan; RTW undergarments (knickers and bra).  

Nightwear:  Pink velour pants, Vogue 9193; gray and pink floral top, Simplicity 2289.

Accessories:  Black Mephisto slip-ons, black leather handbag; wrist brace.  

Lessons Learned:  Some of my favourite items to wear were made from OOP patterns.  

Monday, May 30, I wore three me-made items.  

Workwear:  Black sateen skirt, OOP McCall's 7870; RTW black and white polka dot top; RTW undergarments (knickers and bra).  

Nightwear:  Pink velour pants, Vogue 9193; gray and pink floral top, Simplicity 2289.

Accessories:  Black Mephisto slip-ons; black leather handbag; black wrist brace.  

Lessons Learned:  Too tired to think.  

Tuesday, May 31, I wore two me-made items.  

Workwear:  Burgundy shirtdress, OOP Butterick 5760; RTW undergarments (tights, bra, knickers); RTW black spring coat.  

Nightwear:  Black and blue flannel plaid nightshirt, OOP McCall's 6600; RTW knit pants; RTW socks.  

Accessories:  Black leather handbag; blue umbrella; burgundy Hunter rain boots; tan coloured leather sneakers.  

Lessons Learned:  I learned that I can really use some me-made knickers, a new robe, and some more pj's.  

Happy Sewing!  

May in Review...

Sewing:

This month's sewing projects were all about adding colour to my wardrobe and sewing work friendly clothes. 

L to R:  Dress from a merger between Vogue 9060 and Vogue 1312; pants, Vogue 1507; and wrap dress, OOP Vogue 7014.

RTW Fast:

There was one purchased RTW skirt this month. A front buttoned faux-denim (cotton, polyester, and spandex) skirt. There was a size 8 label inside the skirt which is totally not my size. But it fit and just goes to show you can't trust RTW sizing.    

It is back at the store and only came home long enough to copy it's shape. I have a teal coloured 100% cotton denim cut to recreate this style.    

The Stats:

Supplies	Quantity Used from the stash this Month	Quantity Used this Year	Added to the Stash this year
Basting Tape	0	0.40 metres	0
Bias Tape	0.4	2.41 metres	0
Buttons	0	19	0
Chain	0	0	0
Cord Stopper	0	1	1
Elastic	0	3.8 metres	3 metre
Fabric	8.4 metres	36.05 metres	34.1 metres
Fusible Tape	2.3 metres	2.70 metres	0
Hand needles	0	0	0
Hook and Eyes	0	0	0
Interfacing	1.4 metres	3.0 metres	10 metres
Lace trim	0	0	0
Pattern (new)	1	8	7
Pattern (previously used)	3	8	0
Ribbon	0	0.50 metres	0
Serger needles	0	0	0
Serger thread	0	1	0
Sewing machine needles	0	6	0
Snaps	0	0	0
Thread	1	6	24
Trim	0	1.8 metres	1.8 metres
Velcro	0	0	0
Zipper	1	2	5

Happy Sewing!

Monday's Mending Pile

Nothing from the mending pile to show and tell today, but I have to show this little bag. Oh my goodness, it is perfect. I need one. And proceeds go to help woman escaping human trafficking. You can learn more about it here.  

Megan Nielsen bag
{Source}

Happy Sewing!

Me-Made-May Update

It really was a struggle to write a MMM update get out of bed most days this week. One more week to go. How is your Me-Made-May going?    

On Sunday, May 15th, I wore 2 me-made item.

Weekend wear:  Lace print spring coat, OOP Burda 7304; red vintage cotton knit skirt; RTW Kate Spade cotton and cashmere button-front cardigan; RTW vanilla coloured lace scarf; RTW undergarments (bra and knickers).

Nightwear:  Blue and black plaid flannel dress worn as a nightshirt, OOP McCall's 6600.

Accessories:  Red Ralph Lauren wedged shoes; red stone ring; and black leather handbag.

Lessons learned today:  Giving small unexpected gifts can make someone feel great and that is an amazing feeling.  

On Monday, May 16th, I wore three me-made items (if only briefly).

Workwear:  Blue and white pinstriped cotton pants (Rachel Comey designer), Vogue 1507, briefly until they split and ended up in the mending pile; RTW sleeveless blue top; RTW blue and white striped linen jacket; Rachel Comey skirt, OOP Vogue 1247; RTW jeans; RTW white tee-shirt; RTW undergarments (Bra, knickers, and socks); RTW red knit lined spring jacket.

Nightwear:  Blue and black plaid flannel dress worn as a nightshirt, OOP McCall's 6600.  

Accessories:  Black Mephisto; Burgundy Hunter rubber boots; floral print sneakers; wrist brace; gray sport socks; Ray Ban sunglasses; hat; and black leather handbag.

Lessons learned today:  When you work at a school it is always a good thing to have a change of clothes in the car.  You never know what your day will bring--a whole day outdoors.  

On Tuesday, May 17th, I wore two me-made items.

Workwear:  Black light-weight wool pants, OOP Vogue 1325; RTW green and black plaid shirt; green and black hoodie, Butterick 6253; RTW undergarments (bra, knickers, black lace socks).

Nightwear:  RTW knit shirt and pants.  

Accessories:  Black leather Mephisto; black leather handbag; and wrist brace.

Lessons learned today:  Always wear sunscreen and re-apply it throughout the day. Oh, and never say, "I don't burn." The day just might come. And ouch!  Did I mention that I really miss the snow?   

On Wednesday, May 18th, I wore one me-made items.

Sick day:  RTW knit shirt and pants; animal print wrap dress, OOP vintage Vogue 7014; RTW Merlino wool cardigan; RTW undergarments (knickers, bra and black cotton socks).

Nightwear:  RTW knit shirt and pants.  

Accessories:  Black leather handbag and black suede Mephisto.  

Lessons learned today:  Home sick with a throat and sinus infection. I assumed that I wasn't feeling well because of being out in the heat all day on Monday and dealing with allergies. Boy was I wrong. Looked like a freak today as I was sporting a sunburned face,  feeling chilled and wore a sweater to a doctor's appointment while it seemed like everyone else was dressed for summer-time weather. Sewing wise, I could use some pj's.  

On Thursday, May 19th, I wore two me-made items.

Sick day:  Knit dress, Vogue 1234; white terry robe, OOP Simplicity 7417; RTW cream coloured sweater; RTW knickers.

Nightwear:  Ummm, I slept in my clothes.   

Accessories:  none.  

Lessons learned today:  Learned nothing, just suffered.   

On Friday, May 20th, I briefly wore one me-made items.

Sick day:  Knit dress, Vogue 1234; and RTW socks until I finally dragged myself to the tub for a bath and then changed into my pyjamas.

Nightwear:  RTW knit pants and nightshirt.  

Accessories:  none.  

Lessons learned today:  Sinus headaches are the worse.   

On Saturday, May 21th, I wore two me-made items.

Weekend wear:  Blue cotton knit dress, Vogue 6090 and 1312; RTW yellow cardigan; RTW undergarments (knickers and bra).

Nightwear:  Animal print flannel nightshirt, McCall's 2476; RTW blue and white polka-dot knit pants. Yea, I know they don't match and I was feeling under the weather so I didn't care.   

Accessories:  Black leather handbag; yellow sandals; Ray Ban sunglasses.   

Lessons learned today:  Dressed to run errands and then back into my jammies and bed.  

On Sunday, May 22nd, I wore two me-made items.

Weekend wear:  Black and tan striped RTW but altered knit dress; black RTW cardigan; RTW undergarments; black skirt (Marcy Tilton design), Vogue 9060; RTW Kate Spade black and white striped tee-shirt; and RTW cotton sweater.  

Nightwear:  Animal print flannel nightshirt, McCall's 2476; RTW blue and white polka-dot knit pants; SmartWool socks.  

Accessories:  Tan sling back wedge heeled shoe; black leather Mephisto; black leather handbag.   

Lessons learned today:  In my older and wiser years, I notice that I'm embracing comfort (Mephistos) over style (heels) as I changed my shoes in the church parking lot.  

On Monday, May 23rd, I wore two me-made items.

Weekend wear (Long weekend here):  Blue and white striped cotton pants (Rachel Comey design), Vogue 1507; RTW blue cotton short sleeved tee-shirt; RTW undergarments (knickers and bra).  

Nightwear:  Blue and black flannel plaid dress (worn as a nightshirt), OOP McCall's 6600.  

Accessories:  Black leather handbag; black leather Mephisto.  

Lessons learned today:  Still sick, but at least I got dressed.  

On Tuesday, May 24th, I wore two me-made items.

Workwear:   Floral knit skirt, Vogue 9060; green short sleeve shirt, Butterick 6182; RTW cream coloured sweater; RTW undergarments (knickers and bra).

Nightwear:  Blue and black flannel plaid dress (worn as a nightshirt), OOP McCall's 6600. 

Accessories:  Black leather handbag; black Mephisto (worn for comfort); tan wedged shoes (worn for work).  

Lessons learned today:  I rather admire shoes than wear them. 

Happy Sewing!  

Two Favourite Patterns =

Take two favourite patterns and they equal one comfortable summer dress.

This is a pattern merger between Marcy Tilton's skirt pattern, Vogue 9060, and Lynn Mizono's dress pattern, Vogue 1312. I cut the Vogue 9060 skirt pieces, minus the waistband, straight out of the envelope. Same with the bodice from Vogue 1312 and it was like these pattern pieces were made for each other. I don't know why I had some reservations about this merger.  

Vogue 1312

Vogue 9060

and...

There was no tweaking or alterations to make things fit, everything worked together with out any issues. It was like this was meant to be. And I was able to whip this dress up in an afternoon. I really like the self-lined bodice with a raised waist offered in the Vogue 1312 dress pattern. And I like how comfortable Marcy Tilton's skirt is to wear. I did have some fear that the length wouldn't be to my liking since I would be missing some of the length gained with the waistband but there was no need to worry, the length is my idea of perfect. The dress was hemmed with a rolled hem.  

The fabric is a cotton knit that has been in my stash for a long time. I have no idea when or where I purchased this fabric. It worked out to be the perfect amount for a long sleeve version but I changed my mind while I was sewing it up and went sleeveless. I'll just have to throw a cardigan over it to wear it to work. As a sleeveless dress it will be perfect for those hot summer days ahead. The fabric wasn't pre-treated, my bad. My fingers are crossed that it doesn't shrink because I really like the fit. This project was stitched using the knit stitch on my sewing machine. And I do believe that I will have to make another one.


The Stats:

Fabric:  3.2 metres of cotton knit

Thread:  Just cleaned up whatever shades of unfinished spools of blue that I had on hand. I managed to finish off one spool of thread.

Patterns:  Vogue 1312 and 9060.

Additions Tools and Supplies:  Sewing machine, serger, walking foot, scissors, clippers, tweezers, pins, pin cushion, measuring tape, cutting table, ten minute breaks every thirty minutes, a nap or two, box of kleenex, Tylenol, and water.

Happy Sewing!  

In Sewing News Today...

Happy Victoria Day Long Weekend!

I should be enjoying the long weekend but instead I'm recovering from another sinus and throat infection. It has been a rough week. 

Let's just say there hasn't been a whole lot of sewing going on. Instead, I've been lying in bed trying to think where in the world I put down Simplicity 2372. Yup, Mama R's favourite pattern. 

I've misplaced it. And the sad part is that there are no retailers that sell Simplicity patterns in the city. And would you believe that it is more economical to pick up this pattern from an Etsy seller than from the Simplicity pattern website? That might be because I'm not tempted to throw in Simplicity 8046 as well.  

Maybe it is a good thing that no one in the city sells Simplicity patterns because this would likely have become an impulse purchase. Don't need another dress pattern. Don't need another dress pattern. But it is cute. Well, I did pick up another copy of Simplicity 2372 because of all the patterns Mama R's favourite dress pattern is the most important one in the collection. Who knows, by the time it arrives I might have found it and I won't have to alter those shoulder seams again. Have you ever lost a cherished pattern? It certainly has caused a few sleepless nights.

In other sewing news, Fabricland is celebrating the long weekend with a big sale. I received a email notification that there is a sale on wool. Really? I want a near-by, local fabric store that will sell sewing patterns and fabric not one that is turning into a craft and home decor store. It makes me feel nostalgic for the days when there were more near-by options in the city and when I could pick up a Simplicity pattern without paying an arm and a leg in shipping cost and exchange rates. You know in the by-gone days. Is sewing a dying art? Regardless, I do hope to get some sewing in this weekend [fingers crossed]. It is not a dying art around here.

Well, that's all in sewing news today....  Have a lovely weekend.

Happy Sewing!

Update:  I found it! And I was able to cancel the order. Phew! Boy, it is amazing what you can find when you start tidying up the workspace.
   

Monday's Mending Pile

I'm one of those people who would rather make something new than sit down and fix something, yup mending doesn't always fill my creative spirit. This is contrasted by my despair over our very disposable society and the state of cheap fashion fashion filling up the RTW landscape before ending up in the landfill. I feel like I've created my own landfill of mending items waiting for the mundane to be attended to.  

I do mend, in part, because I'm frugal. I'm not ashamed to admit it. That happens when one works in an industry where you're laid off three times a year and you're never completely sure if your contract is going to be renewed. Most recently, runs in my tights and holes in my socks were fixed with hopes of extending their life. I'm not ashamed of that little fact, I would actually be ashamed if I were to discard these items because of these wee temporary flaws. I would still mend these items even if my employment situation wasn't so precarious.   

According to an Environmental Protection Agency report in 2011, thirteen million tons of discarded clothes are filling up landfills. I'm sure that things haven't improved over the last five years. 

I was cleaning up my sewing space and going through the scraps and chopped up RTW sweaters that I have collected over the years. I need to get busy and start piecing them together and make more blankets.   

Happy Sewing!