Last year I learned about an internet movement called Me Made May.  If you want to learn more about it, click here.  Basically, the “challenge is all about improving your relationship with your handmade wardrobe, and perhaps also learning about yourself and your creativity.”  Last year I had a really hard time wearing something everyday because I didn’t have many “me made” clothes.  It really inspired me to get working and this year I am much more prepared.  But as much as it’s about wearing something, it’s also about what you don’t wear and what you need to put on the list to sew next.

*Disclaimer – I still haven’t yet figured out how to take a selfie

Monday, May 1st – a great start and a good outfit to wear to a few meetings.

Fitted skirt from #theschoolofmaking DIY kit, this kit also comes with pockets to sew on the front of the skirt but I haven’t done that … yet.

color: tone-on-tone Peacock fabric, Navy thread

stencil: Magdelena

treatment: Reverse Appliqué, felled seams on wrong side

Sleeveless bolero from instructions and a pattern in Alabama Studio and Sewing Design

color: a single layer of Peacock fabric, Navy thread

treatment: Herringbone stitch on binding

Tuesday, May 2nd – a casual day running errands is the perfect day to wear a shirt made from a Goodwill T-shirt find.

Corset from a pattern and instructions in Alabama Stitch Book.  I found this “Life is Good” XL T-shirt at Goodwill and I loved the sentiment.  See my post about binding to learn more about this shirt.

color: Slate thread

treatment: Herringbone stitch on the binding, felled seams on wrong side

Wednesday, May 3rd – off to play golf with my sister requires a hat

Bucket Hat from #theschoolofmaking DIY kit

color: White top layer, Sand bottom layer, white thread

stencil: Magdelena

treatment: Reverse Appliqué, backstitched shapes (backstitching takes a lot of thread and the kit only comes with one spool and I ran out of thread before I finished the hat.

Thursday, May 4th – carpool night

T-Shirt with cap sleeves from #theschoolofmaking DIY kit

color: Black top layer, Black bottom layer, Black thread

stencil: Paisley

treatment: Reverse Appliqué, plus a few appliquéd circles using whipstitch

Friday, May 5th – my local art museum has a lovely “first Fridays” celebration in their sculpture garden.  Here I am in front on their newest installation, “Chloe”.

Swing Skirt from #theschoolofmaking DIY kit purchased in 2010.  I’m wearing it on the reverse side because the red’s don’t match.

color: Apple top layer, Brunette bottom layer, Brown thread

stencil: Bloomers

treatment: Reverse Appliqué, floating seams on the right side

Corset from a pattern and instructions in Alabama Stitch Book.

color: top layer is Limited Edition spoonflower Anna’s Garden on Red, bottom layer is Brunette, Red thread, binding is Carmine

treatment: negative reverse appliqué, Herringbone stitch on the binding with red chop beads, felled seams on wrong side

Long Sleeve bolero from instructions and a pattern in Alabama Studio and Sewing Design.  One day I want to add beading to the sleeves.

color: a single layer of Carmine fabric, Red thread

treatment: Herringbone stitch on binding

Saturday, May 6th – a day at the Lake with my mom and sister.  We were cutting out some pieces for my sister’s birthday present and airbrushing them.  I can’t wait to see pictures of her stitching progress.  Since the lake doesn’t have TV, we had to listen to the Caps game on the radio while holding the antenna.  My Cap’s shirt did the trick … they won!!

Corset from a pattern and instructions in Alabama Stitch Book.  My sons brought a Washington Capitals XL T-Shirt home from a game they went to with Grandpa.  I haven’t added binding yet.

color: White thread

treatment: felled seams on wrong side

Tank from a pattern and instructions in Alabama Studio Style.  This was a piece from my Layering Project a while back.  It’s great for putting under other shirts that are too low cut.

color: single layer of Navy, Navy thread

treatment: Herringbone stitch on binding, felled seams on wrong side

A beautiful morning at the Lake!

Sunday, May 7th – Brunch with my Mom and sister.  It was much cooler out than I packed for so I ended up wearing my Hunter boots which look like a big black blob in this picture.  I’m also wearing the fitted peacock skirt I wore on Monday and an Alabama Chanin cardigan.

Fitted top from a pattern and instructions in Alabama Studio Sewing and Design.  Unfortunately, you can’t really see the shirt in this picture but it’s a great Layering Piece.

color:  single layer of Peacock, Navy thread

treatment: Herringbone stitch on the binding, felled seams on wrong side

 

One week down and three more to go.  Wish me luck!!