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:

sewing at grammah's

Well it's been a very busy month full of changes! We are in our new house (our first house!), my brother's wedding went off perfectly, and I'm starting on a new adventure career-wise which means this is my last week at my workplace of the last 4.5 years. Needless to say, I've been busy! BUT before I continue I'd like to say a little "thank you" to Zoe of "So, Zo... What do you know?" for her aptly timed post on Monday titled "Sorry But No More Apologies."

So... on to the SEWING!

While we were living out of boxes in my Grandparent's basement for the three weeks before we closed on the house, I was able to set up a little sewing space in the corner of my grandmother's office! I saved out a few supplies for some specific projects, and actually got 2.5 pieces made during that short
time!

My little temporary sewing space in the corner of the office.

I first made another jersey maxi skirt. The fabric was a Joann's clearance special, and was a perfect example of why people are afraid to sew with knits! It stretched and moved when cutting, it was full of cling that I just could seem to get rid off (I was afraid it would cling unflatteringly to my body as well, but thankfully not so!), and it pills after only only two washes! I still really like the skirt and wear it all the time. I used my modified fold-over skirt pattern, but this time made a casing for and elastic waistband instead of the fold-over waist-band.

Then I decided to tried and draft MY OWN pattern! My favorite sleeping shorts were starting to fall apart, so I finished the job and ripped out all the seams so I could trace the pieces. Using my new pattern pieces I recreated them in this fabulous purple bunny quilting cotton, with an elastic waistband and mock fly. They came out pretty good! I'm going to tweak (not to be confused with twerk...) the pattern then post them online for all of you!

Old comfy shorts.

Falling apart :(

I made a pattern!

Ta da!

So that's 2 makes... now the half. Remember that bridesmaid's dress I was making to wear in my brother's wedding on August 31st? I was using Butterick 5750 and a lovely, lightweight, emerald green, modal knit. I got it all together enough to try on and... it looked terrible on me. So just a few days before we moved into our new house I tore it all apart. I was so disappointed and overwhelmed... cause it should have looked so good and I did not have time to alter and re-sew it! Thankfully, I found a fabulous, silk J. Crew dress at a consignment store the next day. Problem solved. I was still disappointed that my dress didn't come out, but at least I looked good at the wedding and didn't have to stress myself out in the process, and the other bridesmaid loved the dress I made for her.

And that is what I made at while at Grammah's! We are now settling in our new house and my sewing room is not fully set up but functional (I'll post pics when it's all set up, because it will be fabulous!). I've been able to spend a few days sewing here already, but can't show pictures yet because it's Christmas sewing (Sorry, but expect an awesome post once presents are open in December!).

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! 

me-made-may '13 - may 9th - 13th & a new maxi-skirt

Well first off, let me show you what I'm wearing right now:

Ahh, the beauty that is an iPhone-bedroom-mirror-self-portrait. Here is my new jersey, fold-over waistband maxi-skirt. I LOVE it! I put it on as soon as I got home from work. I used a soft, grey, rib-knit I got on a $1.95/yard sale at Fabirc.com, and the included skirt pattern by Meg McElwee from my Sewing with Knits class on Craftsy.com. The pattern is for a knee-length or mini skirt, so I taped some newsprint to the bottom of the skirt pattern and continued the line to a maxi-length. I did find that with this rib knit I could not get the fit tight enough for the skirt to stay up, even after taking 5 or 6 inches off the waistband from the original pattern. I'm learning that different knit fabrics using the same pattern will yield very different fits. I ended up sewing an additional line of stitching in the seam allowance to create a casing for some 1/4 inch elastic. Problem solved! I will SOOO be making more of these for summer, or maybe skipping the fold-over waistband all together and making strait-up elastic waist maxi-skirts.

Now on to my Me-Made-May update, and I'm exceeding my pledge of a handmade garment two day per week!

On Thursday, May 9th I wore my teal denim Simplicity 2258 to work.

Friday, May 10th, I both made the above maxi-skirt AND wore it out with friends that evening! Double win!

And on Sunday May 12th I wore the these-are-not-jegging yoga jeans when lounging and working around that house, and slipped on my previously mentioned spring ruffle skirt when I went out. 'Cause my yoga jeans look good, but not quite where-outside-of the-house-without-looking-scrubby good.

I'm already planning on wearing my new Butterick 5885 tomorrow for my usual Me-Made-Tuesday... I am so rocking MMM '13!

me-made-may '13 - may 1st-7th

How are you doing on your Me-Made-May pledge? I pledged to wear a handmade garment twice a week, and so far so good. On May 1st I wore a made-by-me spring ruffle skirt (yet to be blogged on... but I will!) with a white t-shirt and fuchsia cardigan to work, and on the 3rd I wore my purple lace fold-over waistband skirt..

 

And I'm already on track for this week, as I mad a garment this morning AND wore it in the afternoon/evening! But more on that later...

me-made-may 2013!

When I first discovered the sewing-blog scene, before I decided to start sewing again, I read about Me-Made-May and knew that was going to become my goal. And now after only 4 month of sewing, I'm doing it!

Here is my pledge verbatim from So Zo, What Do You Know?:

'I, Rachel of sewrachel.blogspot.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavor to wear a minimum of 1 self made garment at least 2 days per week for the duration of May 2013'

That's the great thing about the So Zo pledge, you can make it whatever works for you. Some people will pledge to wear ONLY handmade all month, or at least one handmade garment every day, while others pledge once a week. Some will pledge to make a certain number of items during May as well. It's whatever works for YOU. And you get a great little badge to put on your webpage or blog sidebar! So what are you waiting for? Read the rules and make your pledge here.

For me, I know there was no way I could wear handmade every day for a month after only 4 months of garment making. I was already doing my own Made-By-Me Tuesdays, so I thought I'd step it up one more notch and add another day of self-made clothing. I'll post pictures here as the month continues for you to see my outfits!