Me-Made-May 2017 Review

It's the second week of June and I have only just got around to my Me-Made-May 2017 review. I really enjoyed the whole process although I ran out of people I could pester for a photo towards the end of the month. Again, a huge thank you goes out to the lovely Zoe of SoZo blog who created this awesome event eight years ago.

It would not feel right to continue with a full review until I had documented the last remaining outfits of May.

Day Twenty Nine

Dressing Gown: Gather's The Buchanan. Made 2017

Top: Vest by Gap

PJ Bottoms: Paul Frank

Shoes: White Birkenstocks

May Day Bank Holiday was spent happily pottering around the house in my PJ's and newly finished Buchanan dressing gown. I love it and have worn it every day since making it! I think I need another one.

Day Thirty

Top: Merchant and Mills Camber Set Top made in Ikat Viscose, Samuel Taylors. Made 2016 

Trousers: Abercrombie and Fitch

Jacket: Levi's denim

Watch: White G Shock

Trainers: Nike Blue Pegasus

Day Thirty One

Dress: Dixie DIY Bonnell Dress in viscose, Chapel Street Market. Made 2017

Watch: Red G Shock

Trainers: Nike Blue Pegasus

After 2016's Me-Made-May I created a list of plans / quests for the year ahead which were:

Re-fashion or donation to charity:

• Bettine dress - Attach a bias section on the skirt to make it more wearable - NOT achieved
• Simplicity 9620 dress - not worn this MMM because it's too short. As above - NOT achieved
• Mathilde blouse - Give to charity as I never choose to wear it - Achieved!
• Grainine Scout in B&W - Give to charity as I never choose to wear it - Achieved!

Future Projects:

• Finish Navy Simplicity 2154 pencil skirt  - Achieved!
• Complete black and white By Hand London Flora  - Achieved!
• Finish Liberty print Colette Laurel dress  - Achieved!
• Re-work the By Hand London Charlie Dress - NOT achieved
• Make another pair of SOI Cigarette Pants - black and white print / Navy / Grey - NOT achieved
• Make a Grainline Moss skirt - NOT achieved
• Make a pair of Grainline Maritime shorts - NOT achieved
• Make more dresses - I have lots of BHL and Christine Haynes patterns in my stash - Half Achieved

So it looks like my sewing plans were half completed with still plenty more to keep me out of mischief, namely making another pair of trousers and perhaps some shorts?

For the coming year it would be great to replace my worn out RTW trousers with some hand-made versions. I have even carefully unpicked a favourite pair of chinos to compare the waistband, crotch rise and leg lengths to my existing trouser patterns (SOI Cigarette Pants and Named Alpi Chinos). Hopefully by May 2018 I might have managed to make another pair of trousers!

Conclusions:

As I have a lot more me-made garments to wear compared to previous Me-Made-May's I found the whole process much easier. I have been able to identify that I love wearing tops that are made in viscose as the drape is softer, more comfortable and forgiving.

I still enjoy bright colourful clothes combined with monochrome but have branched out this year into a few floral prints too. I am also very happy to supplement my me-made wardrobe with quality RTW clothes that I already have in my wardrobe.

One of the most enjoyable and inspirational aspects of MMM is connecting up with fellow sewists.

I have greatly appreciated the lovely comments from fellow bloggers in particular a big thank you to; 

Kat, Louise, Alex, Jo, Tamsin, Anna, Julie, Crafty Clyde, Paulina, Rosemary, Ginx Craft and Let's Get Sewing! Who have all been equal parts encouraging and inspirational with their own amazing makes. See you all for MMM 2018!