mmm'14 update #4

 

 

May 20th - My new SBCC Lemon Drop Top

May 21st - Traveling up to a fishing cabin on Moosehead Lake, so I whipped myself up a pair of easy Elle Pants in heathered grey sweatshirt fabric from my stash. Will be blogged soon!

May 22nd - What to wear at a fishing camp? A fishy top! Then I went down to my parents house... and this is their new kitten, Tuukka! 

May 23rd -  New Look 6216 again... this time with pink!

May 24th - This is actually my first time wearing this super simple maxiskirt made from McCalls 6567. I just never quite figured out how to style it without it looking frumpy. I guess a black t-shirt is always a good choice!

May 25th - Traveling to Philadelphia to see my sister! 2 hours on a bus followed by 6.5 hours on a train = comfy clothing needed! This purple lace knit skirt totally fits the bill. I made it at the beginning on my sewing/blogging journey, and it's starting to show it's age. The lace is pilling and pulling, so not good for work but perfect for a long trip!

May 26th - Sunny and in the 80's in Philadelphia! I wore a favorite me-made top out and about with my sister, including a visit to the very cool Eastern State Penitentiary Museum! Totally got a sunburn. :(

May 27th - Finally wore my silk copy-cat maxi-dress and it was another beautiful day in Philly. We visited the Philadelphia Museum of Art and a big Macy's in a beautiful, old building! (...and this photo was taken in the Macy's dressing room.) This silk/cotton fabric is sooo nice to wear, even on a hot day in the city! You can also see my me-made pleather purse that I use every day, so really I've been wearing 2 me-mades per day all this month!

May 28th - This month I pattern tested the Ella Tank by Liola Patterns.... how cool is that?!  I love the shape  of this tank pattern and the fabric print, but this one is just a little bit too big for me so I left it with my sister (damn you and your extra 7" of height!). I plan on making myself another one in a size smaller. You can learn more about this pattern here, and I also will be posting my pattern testing experience soon!

May 29th - Home on the train (which ran really late) so comfy jeans and New Look 6216 again. I snapped this picture once I was home and changed into my Christmas PJs. This month this top has been my go-to me-made for days I'm craving just a t-shirt and jeans. 

May 30th - I love this teal denim skirt made from Simplicity 2258! I made it way at the beginning of my sewing/blogging journey, even before the purple knit skirt, and not only is the fit and styling good, but I also did a really nice job with the construction and it's held up nicely to wear and washing. I'm very sad that it has the faintest of stains on the front, so I couldn't wear it to my last job without looking like a scrub... but now it's back into regular rotation! I must remember to make more of this pattern.

May 31st - Yard work today, and these same Elle sweggings (Oh yeah, I said it... sweatpant-leggings!) from May 21st are perfect. I am super pleased with how these came out, fitted but not too tight and soooo comfy! 

Well that finishes up Me Made May 2014! I'll post soon with all my outfits worn this month and overall thoughts of this year's MMM. How did you do with your MMM14 pledge?

mmm'14 update #3

I promise to show some new makes very soon (I have a couple pieces nearly finished)! But in the meantime, here is a MMM'14 update:

May 13th - A light, flow-y, floral maxi-skirt, shown here after I changed to mow the lawn.

May 14th - My new Hemlock Tee

May 15th - A repeat from May 5th: a fishy, cotton Eucalypt Tank, skinny jeans and a black cardi. I love this look!

May 16th - We were delivered 20 cubic yards of dirt the day before, so I needed an outfit for gardening and housework. I screen-printed this t-shirt for the Running with Scissors Kickstarter, so it totally counts as me-made.

May 17th - Two me-altered outfits today. The dress was recently bought at a thrift store but way too big, so I took out the side zip (it was so big that I tried it on, bought it and had it home before I even noticed there was a zipper!) and took in at both sides, the waist and the sleeves. Underneath is a half-slip that the elastic had worn out of, so I sewed in some new lingerie elastic. Now if fits even better than when it was new from the store.

May 18th - A Sunday working at the art studio. My Hemlock Tee is going to become a studio staple.

May 19th - At the studio again. This time working in my grey, jersey maxi-skirt, a favorite black tank and raspberry cardigan. It was my most worn item last year, and is starting to show it. Another great studio piece now! (But not a great picture... oh well!)

mmm'14 update #2

May 6th - A jersey maxi-skirt, that it looks like I never blogged. I made it in early August last year when we were living at my grandparent's house since our lease was up on our apartment, but we hadn't closed yet on our new house, so that could explain why you may not have seen it here. The fabric print is fabulous, but it pilled like crazy after even one wash, so it's perfect for a fay working in the art studio. Pretty, comfortable, but looking kind shabby.
May 7th - Another unblogged piece! I made this a very long time ago and love the fit, but the seams had started to come apart so I stopped wearing it. I was able to mend it for MMM'14 and now it's a great piece back in the wardrobe! It's made with Butterick 5826. (And the picture is with my friend Casey at Trivia night at a local Mexican restaurant. We came in second after 3 tie-breaker questions. Not too bad!)
May 8th - My Moss Mini with a lightweight cream sweater. I had taken in a little at the center back waist and yoke, and it's much more comfortable.
May 9th - An outfit repeat from May 6th. I actually started out wearing a fold-over waistband ruffle skirt that I wore a ton last Me-Made-May, by the waistband is just too loose and was driving me nuts! My style has changed in a year, since my waistline certainly isn't smaller! These photos were taken in the hotel on a weekend away in Boston.
May 10th - My new Cambie Dress! This was so comfortable to wear around town and to the aquarium with a friend. I am very pleased with this dress and I suspect it'll get a lot of wear!
May 11th - Butterick 5885.

And today is a lazy day in, wearing my slouchy, grey New Look 6216 while working on the computer writing you this update:

How's your Me-Made-May 2014 going?

mmm'14 update and new tops

MMM'14 Selfie!

Thanks for all your kind comments on my last post! I'm glad me-made-pjs count when you are feeling cruddy. I'm feeling a lot better finally (and my house bunnies are starting to feel better, too!), and have actually put on real clothes the past few days.

May 2nd - One of my favorite makes from last year, McCalls 6751!
May 3rd - A brand new Grainline Hemlock Tee... which doesn't really go with the hat, but it was sunny out on the deck :)
May 4th - Here I'm wearing a favorite infinity scarf out to dinner with some friends. I was wearing my grey, knit maxi-skirt earlier... but sick bunnies meant I had to change before going out, and before I'd taken my MMM'14 photo.
May 5th - A new  Megan Nielsen Eucalypt Tank with gold sandals, skinny jeans and a cardigan.

I made the Grainline Hemlock Tee with a sheer, striped,  sweater-knit from Fabric.com. I love the look, but it already started to snag after only one day of regular wear. Also, I constructed this on my serger, and the seams didn't come out great. I know a lot of folks like to sew knits on a serger, but I just don't have the hang of it yet. I do better constructing on my regular sewing machine with a zig-zag, and neatening up the seams afterwards on the serger. It's a wearable shirt that will be good on days I'm in the art studio, nothing I'll be upset over should I get it covered in ink. Still, I do really like the pattern and may make another version!

I made my  Eucalypt Tank from the same fish-print cotton that I used to line my me-made purse. I love this print! For this version I cut the fabric on the bias to allow a little more stretch and shape. Even with that, I think I will add some bust darts next time I use this pattern. I used french seams, a narrow curved hem, and homemade bias binding along the neck and armholes. I'm really, really pleased with the construction on this top.

I've also finished my black, silk, copy-cat maxidress! But that will deserve it's own post, so stayed tuned. :) 

In the first week of MMM'14 I've realized I need some khaki pants to go with a number of my me-made tops, so that's what I'm sewing currently. I found some nice twill (I think?) with a fair bit of stretch that had come from my mother's stash and have started a pair of Simplicity 1696 Amazing Fit Pants. It probably would have been way smarter to use the StyleARC Elle Pants pattern that I had success with before... but I guess I just want to make things difficult for me! Really, I wanted a more traditional pant look with front pockets and a lower rise waistband, and I found this amazing red version while searching pattern reviews that are seriously cool! I at least laid my StyleARC pattern pieces on top of the Simplicity pieces to (hopefully) confirm a similar fit... but more on that project later!

happy me-made-may!

It's day one of MMM'14! I've realized I want to make an addition to my MMM '14 pledge, shown here in bold print:

'I, Rachel of sewrachel.blogspot.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '14. I endeavor to wear and photograph at least one handmade item each day for the duration of May 2014'

Last year I usually just copied the photos from my previous blog posts when I wore an item during the month of May, which probably ended up being more work than if I just snapped a photo each day. Plus, MMM is not just about what I wear handmade, but also how I put my outfit together. So this year, I'm going to do my very best to remember to snap a photo (though I don't promise great photos!) of my handmade outfit every day. And so without further ado......

Yeah, I know. Not a terribly exciting or sophisticated outfit, and some may argue that me-made pajamas are cheating, but let me explain. I'm still coughing and feeling gross from my week+ long cold, both of my bunnies have been sick and need extra care, attention, medications and hand feeding (and are making sooooo much laundry!), and it's been cold and nasty and rainy today.... so I staying home with the handsome men that I slept with last night: my Alexander Henry Pajamas! 

Now I know that MMM can lead to a lot of blog posts to both write and read, I won't be posting my outfit updates daily but instead doing a round up of outfits worn once or twice a week. I also will be working on another Liebster Award post thanks to the awesome ladies who write Sew Short Nissa and Reves Mecanique! Lots to do and look forward to this month! Guess I better get to sewing!

me-made-may eve

Last year was my first Me-Made May, and I was so proud of myself! I well exceed my goal of at least 2 handmade items per week, and that's after only a few months sewing. This year, I'm upping my game:

'I, Rachel of sewrachel.blogspot.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '14. I endeavor to wear at least one handmade item each day for the duration of May 2014'

Woo hoo! Getting ready for wearing handmade everyday I've been repairing and altering a couple of items, including taking a wedge out for the back waist of my Grainline Moss Mini, and have been thinking about what are my needs and wants in my wardrobe that can be filled. Sure, I'd love to spend all mt time whipping up another batch of floral Cambies, but what is really going to be practical day to day? Where do you find that sewing balance of pretty once-in-a-while dresses, and practical basics and separates? Not to mention, I'm now heading back into the art studio full-time... not exactly a place to wear precious, handmade beauties. So here's my plan (after my black, silk/cotton maxidress, of course... which is both a practical wardrobe staple AND luxurious sewing!):

Needs:

• More pants. I have the fabric to attempt another grey pair of StyleARC Elle Pants, but also should look for some other comfortable, casual, easy pants.
• A spring jacket. Yes, many of you thought my last polar fleece attempt looked nice... but it just doesn't fit they way I want and therefore uncomfortable to wear. Any good spring jacket ideas? 
• Knit dresses. I have lots of casual knits and dress patterns ready to go... just need to get on 'em!
• Maxiskirts and dresses. I wore these all the time last year! 
• Casual tops that go with everything. Why are these so hard to sew? Or at least so hard to want to sew?  Maybe a Grainline Hemlock tee, and some Sewaholic Renfrews.
• Studio clothing. Something quick and easy to sew, inexpensive, and comfortable. Maybe I can start making muslins into wearable studio clothing, or take a trip to the thrift store for some re-fashioning. 

Want:

• Swimsuit. You may remember this was one of my 5 goals for 2014, and while I don't NEED a swimsuit (I have a boring black one that works just fine...), I am so making this. I already have everything I need for this project, too.
• Shorts. I haven't bought shorts in years, but would love a really nice fitting tan pair, and maybe a cool, printed pair in something like an ikat. Pattern options include Grainline Maritime Shorts or Sewaholic Thurkow Trousers
• Circle Skirt Cambies! Including one for my 2-year wedding anniversary. 
• An amazing red day dress. I've always wanted one and should make that happen.
• A Patterns by Gertie slip. I even ordered her slip kit, and she's currently hosting a sew-along.
• Some pretty pajamas. Not a need, but a very much would-like.
• A casual By Hand London Georgia Dress. This is where I could use some help. What fabric could I use to make this dress a more casual summer option? I love the fit, but remember I live in Maine... not exactly the fashion capital of the world. I'd love to make a version of this dress that can be worn to a casual BBQ, or just out for coffee, etc.
• Make a button-up shirt for Mr. Sew Rachel. Maybe I can make him one for our anniversary? That would be a great goal... although I've never made a real button-up shirt before... or menswear!

Wow... that's a lot. While I most likely will not accomplish everything, participating in Me-Made-May will help me to prioritize what to make and maybe keep me focused enough to get a fair number checked off this list in the next few months.

You can learn more about MMM'14 and sign up at "So Zo, What Do You Know" by clicking on the image below:

a (late) me-made-may '13 wrap-up and my indie creation

Sorry I'm so late for my last MMM '13 post! After my last post I wore:

• a self-drafted black knit pencil skirt out to dinner with Mr. Sew Rachel on the evening of May 23rd. I made the skirt in April for an opening night party when visiting my sister in Lancaster, PA. (She was working at at theater in the middle of Amish country. Weird, right?) I haven't blogged it yet, but will soon, I promise!
• my striped cardigan to work on May 27th. I love this pattern! It was a great free download from the iCandy Handmade blog. Note to self: make more of these!

• and out with a couple girlfriend on May 30th I wore this:

Yup, that's a self-portrait of my bottom half! I finished this great self-drafted maxi skirt that same week. Again, yet to be blogged so this is a teaser!

Overall, Me-Made-May '13 was totally successful! I exceeded my pledge of wearing handmade twice a week, and found that it was actually was not hard to reach for handmade in my closet.  Overall this month wore 11 handmade garments (7 skirts, 1 dress, 1 pair lounge pants (yoga jeans), and 2 tops), wore handmade on 15 occasions, and finished 5 new items, including one for someone else! WOO HOO! Maybe for MMM '14 I'll be able to pledge a whole month of handmade! I learned that skirts are both easiest to make and to wear. I also learned that my blogging is not keeping up with my sewing! I promise to work on that, and so on that note...

TA DA! Here is my first project from my independent pattern purchases! It's Megan Nielsen's Eucalypt Tank. I love that she includes instructions for french seams right in the pattern directions.  I think this would be a great pattern for someone learning to sew. The neck and armholes are finished with self bias strips, which I had never done and was a little nervous. But the instructions were nice and clear, and look how nice they came out on the front!

The inside was another story. I found a didn't enough fabric to fold the raw edge of the bias strip under to finish, most likely due to my uneven cutting. I thought I had found a smart solution by leaving the raw edges, then covering them with a fine, fusible stay tape to prevent fraying. WRONG! The stay tape didn't stick, I had to peel it all off, and ended up with this big frayed mess:

So I was left carefully cutting all the binding off at the neck and arm openings and will start again. THIS TIME I'm using a rotary cutter for nice strait cuts and making my strips just a wee bit wider for some more wiggle room when stitching it on. Always still learning!

me-made-may '13 - may 19th - 23rd

Still going strong!

On May 21st I wore my slim, lace print skirt to work with a black t-shirt and purple-y cardigan. This was one of my earlier makes, and wearing it again this week I can see how far I've come in my sewing skills in just a few months! The fit isn't quite right and the zipper is sewn a little bit bumpy. But the print camouflages most of that so it still look good and I'll wear it again!

I wore my new McCalls 6751 and I love this fabric! I paired it with skinny jeans and a red cardigan.  As I mentioned in a previous post, I  have to wear a black cami under so that my bra doesn't show with the deep V int ha back. BUT I'VE ALSO DISCOVERED that the straps like to slide off my shoulder... another reason for the cami! 

me-made-may '13 - may 14th -18th

Here is my MMM '13 update! I'm doing really well, and finding it easier than I expected to reach for my me-made items when putting an outfit together. It's totally reaffirming my decision to dedicate so much of my free time to making my own garments.

Everyone at work loved my new Butterick 5885 on May 14th! Still too early to go sleeveless, and I was having a hard time figuring out what color cardigan would go with this graphic print. I decided on fuchsia... because fuchsia really goes with everything this season!

I wore my new maxi skirt on May 15th AND 16th. This is SO going to be a summer staple! I've already planned another maxi skirt fro my next project. Given how many times I've work this since just a week ago when I made it, you will be relieved to know that it launders beautifully. :)

On May 17th I wore the purple lace fold-over waistband skirt out shopping with my sister and mom. I dressed it casual with gold flip flops, a white t-shirt and a slouchy, grey sweater. So cute! 

Until later! 

a bright casual mccalls 6751 for summer

I saw this fabric and knew I needed it! The colors, the print, the softness, the drape! The questions was, what to make? Mr. Sew Rachel thought I should make a maxi-skirt, and while I do love my maxi-skirts, I really wanted a top. But, with a large print like this it had to be a pattern without a lot of pieces and seams, and large enough to really show the print off without overwhelming my small frame. I decided to try a new McCalls pattern, M6751 view D.

It's not that l'm crazy for the butt flap trend this season, but it needed a little something to avoid being just a boxy top. After looking at the finished garment measurements I decided to cut a size smaller. 6+ extra inches in the bust? That's too loose for me. Even so, the shoulder straps lay a little too wide, which I'm finding is the case with most patterns on my frame.

Back view D

Back view of my finished top.

The back is designed to be made from one pattern piece, cutting two so they mirror each other. I thought, "how silly to waste such beautiful fabric by having a double layer over the butt flap. It isn't even seen!" So I cut the bottom piece to just under where they overlap, and then had enough scrap for a cool infinity scarf! Wrong move. Once I had it on, the way the "V" in the back draped revealed the bottom edge of the under-layer, and a big ugly opening! I had to top stitch the two pieces together along the top hemline about 6 inches from the side seam to prevent the gaping. It's mostly invisible, but now the back "V" doesn't drape nearly so lovely. What did I learn? Next time follow the instructions because they are probably that way for a reason.

Speaking of instructions, I discovered a fabulous little nugget of information tucked in the M6751 instructions! The options for finishing the neckline, armholes, and hem were bias tape or a narrow hem. I wasn't so pleased with bias tape when I used it for the top I made for my sister, so I thought I try my hand at a narrow hem and discovered THIS:

Why had I not seen this before?!?! What a great way to ease in a curved hemline, and even with the straight hems that extra line of stitching made for a great guild-line! Remember how in the last post I stated how much I hate hemming? Well I still think it's tedious and fussy, but at least I now have a tool that makes it a little easier and lead to better results!