Me Made May wrap up

So it's all over!

Here are my final few days of outfits.  Picmonkey isn't playing ball today so no pretty collage I'm afraid!

29th May - the Bowling dress

30th May - Burda cowl neck tee

31st May - Rose print Maria Denmark kimono tee (unblogged).

So I did it!  I didn't wear a few of my most summery dresses that I love since the weather didn't really play ball - it was definitely tights weather for most of the month.  I was hoping to wear them the last few days but we went camping for the weekend and pretty dresses + campsite really don't go!

I'm pretty happy with how I did.  I didn't feel like I wore things I wasn't keen on just because they were me made.  Yes, there were days I would have put on something different (or a vintage dress rather than a me made one) but generally it went well.  I think having a definite colour palette worked as I have lots of things that match and work well together.  Like everyone else, I need some me made trousers and jeans, so I'll be joining in with Lizzy on Jeans in June (thankfully she's extended it into July!).  I'd also like a couple more me made tees, including another couple of Renfrews.

I also pledged to get through my mending/ alterations pile.  I mended split seams on 2 dresses, replaced a zip on hubby's jacket, fixed the zip on my Flora which was coming away and shortened the sleeves on my Blackberry dress:

I loved the sleeves but i wasn't happy with the way they were finished and it made the dress harder to wear with a cardigan - as you can probably tell from my month of pics I am a die-hard cardie wearer!

I also pledged to make some knickers and managed to make up a muslin of the Measure Twice Cut Once Jane knickers.

Eek, weird colours, but they are actually pale blue not green.  I adjusted the pattern following these but didn't get a chance to make up any more.  It's on my list for this weekend!

If you are missing Me Made May, come back tomorrow for news on something we have been plotting on Twitter!

Pledging for Me Made May

I've been thinking a lot about my pledge for me Made May this year and how I can up my game from last year.  I didn't find it too hard, but I was actually on holiday for part of May, which of course makes photo taking a bit easier (and also the option is there for 2 outfits per day)!

Last year I went for 7 days a week, but a maximum of 2 days a week could be my Anise jacket.

I am giving myself a wildcard each week just in case I need it, but will try not to use them.  If I do I will try to wear thrifted or vintage items.

I am also planning to get through my mending pile - I have a few things which are perfectly wearable apart from a hole in the pocket, broken zip or torn lining, so I am going to mend those, and a thrifted skirt to shorten.

In terms of sewing plans, I am going to carry on with my existing plans, but I am going to try and make some me made knickers.  I have the free So Zo pattern printed and ready to go (to use up knit scraps) and I recently bought the gorgeous Measure Twice Cut Once Jane knickers to use up my leftover wovens!

So this year:

 'I, Joanne of Sew Little Time, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '14. I endeavour to wear at least one handmade item each day for the duration of May 2014. I have 4 wildcards which I can use if I have to, but ideally will be vintage or thrifted items. I will also get through my mending/ alterations pile and make some knickers'

More autumn essentials

I made some undies! Ok nothing difficult like a bra (pants/ knickers/vests still on my to do list).

I was chatting on Twitter about the fact that it should be easy to make underskirts, prompted by Carolyn's blog post here. A couple of lovely ladies (no idea who - sorry!) pointed me towards Gertie and Tasia's tutorials. As I had leftover poly satin from my Anna dress lining and my Anise jacket I knew it would be a quick and cheap make and stash bust.

A quick look on Ebay revealed a seller with picot elastic and fold over elastic (for my SoZo pants and vests - I am obsessed with saving postage and often buy stuff ages in advance to avoid paying twice) and it turned out he was just a few miles away from me. I ordered at lunchtime one day and received the next morning! I ordered some pretty lace with a Minerva Fabrics order (see, postage!) and it's gorgeous! It's a lovely weight which makes these feel really luxurious. 

I think the spend on these worked out at £2 per underskirt and they are so much nicer than any bought ones I have had.

I used Gertie's tutorial and it was so fast - both of these were made in an evening.

Perfect for making cotton summer dresses wearable with tights! 

I'll spare you pics of these on me (you're welcome).