MMM 2 – what has worked so far

  

I’m really enjoying Me Made May. I’m learning a lot about my clothes and sewing, and it’s encouraged me to enjoy dressing up a little every day.

But I don’t have many me made clothes, so my outfits are getting a bit repetitive and so are my photos!

Instead of daily pics I thought I’d show you some highlights of the past ten days, along with some thoughts on which are my most useful and favourite items so far.

1. Maria Denmark Day to Night top, with sleeves from her Birgitte T.  Just made and not blogged.  I love these tops.  The draped neckline gives a bit of interest, and they are very wearable and flattering.  Both versions pictured above are cotton jersey.  I made another in viscose and it was too thin and clingy on me.  I’ve still got lots to learn about choosing and sewing knits!

2. Serendipity Studio Bella skirt in denim and vintage cotton.  This is a very wearable pattern, and it fastens with buttons rather than a zip.  I have loads of vintage buttons so it’s great to use them.

3. Maria Denmark Birgitte t shirt.  A great basic, I really like the wide neckline.  Will be making plenty more.

4. Burda coat.  We went from summer weather back to winter in the UK, so this has been useful!  I wore it all day when I was stewarding at a very cold craft exhibition.  It was like being wrapped in a blanket.

So far I’m pleased with the number of everyday things I’ve made.  I’ve got one more Bella skirt planned, in blue batik (I have the perfect buttons in my stash) and some Liberty print Birgitte t shirts too.

Everyday skirts – stashbusting and refashioning

My mission to make myself a wearable wardrobe continues!

About three years ago I bought this black and white flowered cotton from a vintage fair.  It’s quite thick and is stitched on the back to give a textured appearance, so not an easy fabric to use.  After I made my Serendipity Bella skirt in denim, I thought – this pattern would be ideal!

This morning I’ve been setting up at a craft exhibition and sale at a local National Trust property – Knightshayes Court (which has an amazing restored Victorian walled kitchen garden, if you ever get the chance to go).  You can just see the Dottie Doodle on the bunting on the front of my table.

I got to use some more buttons!

I also made another of my favourite skirt pattern Simplicity 2152, from a dress which my friend Sue made herself in the 1970s.  It was hard cutting up Sue’s work, though I had her blessing!

The dress had an interesting neckline.  It was a square, cut out of a rectangular piece of fabric, then faced, with the sleeves and bodice all in one piece.  So it was great dress to reuse, as no darts and few seams.

The pattern of the bodice fabric was a smaller version of the skirt pattern, so I used it for the waistband and pocket edges.

  

I’m delighted with it – what do you think Sue?!

Me Made May – week 1, and I’m already learning stuff!

      

My first time playing Me Made May!  I’m aiming to wear one handmade or refashioned item every day.

So what have I learned so far?

• Why so much navy?!  When I look at clothes in magazines I’m drawn to burnt orange, teal, turquoise, and chartreuse.  These all compliment navy (luckily) so looks like I need to do some fabric shopping!
• I don’t wear most of the clothes in my wardrobe.  Very lazy – will try to do better, and stop keeping things for “best”.
• Some of my clothes are really unflattering.  Knowing I was going to have my photo taken made me look properly at them in the mirror.  I’ve lost weight recently (thank you, puppy) but my brain hasn’t quite caught up with the change.  Several things have now gone to the charity shop or been binned.  A button through denim skirt, which was an everyday staple, was too big and looked awful on me!  I plan to make a Colette Beignet to replace it.

1. Serendipity Bella skirt, Great Plains t-shirt

2. V1247 skirt, Banana Republic t-shirt

3. Colette Jasmine (with a pot of jasmine!  We were buying Mr D a shed.  He is very, very happy.).   Esprit linen trousers (via ebay), handmade bag by Stitch and Swash

4. Billow by Sarah Hatton jumper in red cotton/silk.  High waisted Hobbs jeans.  Accessorised with Tiny Niece.

5. Bella skirt and old t-shirt – not pictured, gardening and shed preparation today.

6. V1247 skirt (again), Monsoon vest top.

7. Refashioned Next dress.  Bought from ebay and the top of the dress didn’t fit.  I cut it off, neatened the waist edges (which are shirred at the back, so very easy to fit) – and I have a new skirt!

Bella in Denim, and Me Made May

Thank you for your ‘everyday’ skirt pattern suggestions.  There are so many great patterns out there,  it was wonderful to have some help in narrowing down the choices.  I’m working my way through the list and ordering patterns!

First up is the Bella Skirt from Serendipity Studio.

It’s a very simple a-line with a yoke and buttons.  Buttons!  I’m getting better at putting in zips, but choosing buttons is much more fun.

The fabric is a slightly stretchy denim from ebay, with a polka dot lining and hem binding.  Love doing that, even if no one else will see it.  Looking at the photo, could do with another press!  Sunshine really does show up any flaws.

I made a couple of changes.  The length is midway between the short and longer versions, and I also put the yoke on as you would a normal waistband, slip stitching the lining in place.  I was a bit confused by the instructions, but I think they say to sew the yoke to the bottom all in one and I was worried about a bulky seam in this denim.

It’s a great skirt to wear.  Very comfortable and I like the way the waist fits.  It’s unusual for me to tuck a top in, but I couldn’t hide those buttons!

Part of the reason for making this skirt is I signed up for Me Made May for the first time, and this is just the kind of thing I like to wear every day.  I have no idea if I’ll be able to complete the challenge, but the warmer weather is working in my favour.   And I do work from home, so no constraints apart from decency!

‘I, Denise of dottiedoodle, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May ’13. I endeavour to wear at least one garment made or refashioned by me each day for the duration of May 2013′.

Twelve in Twelve winner and new giveaway!

The winner of the 1950s shirt pattern is  Oanh from Unique Schmuck ! Could you email your address to me (dottiedoodle at gmail . com) ?

This month my giveaway pattern is a Butterick dress from the early 1970s.

“Front-zippered mid-knee length dress, has fitted bodice, V-neckline with or without pointed collar and A-line or pleated skirt. Sleeveless, short or full length sleeves gathered into buttoned cuffs. Self, bi, or tri-color combinations. With or without topstitch or braid trim. Purchased or self tie belts.”

It’s a size 12, bust 34 and is uncut.

To enter, just leave a comment on this post.  I’ll announce the winner at the beginning of next month.  Good luck!

Tiny clothes for a tiny niece – and a Sew Grateful prize used!

My sister’s baby Greta was born on Wednesday. We’ve been very excited about the sewing possibilities (obviously other things are more important – but you know what I mean).

My first make for her is this little pinafore dress, which I made from some beautiful blue/grey needlecord which was part of my prize from Elizabeth at The Cataloguer during Sew Grateful Week.

  

The pattern is Simplicity 9784, which I felt was practical, but a bit boring, until I realised it has a full circle skirt!  Great for twirling – though she may need help with twirling.  I lined the top with pink polka dot cotton, and made some matching binding for the hem, which you can just see.

It’s a lovely pattern to make.  The skirt is a rectangle, which means you only need to trace the top pieces of the dress.  A bonus, as I hate tracing patterns.

There are other options with sleeves, and a little hat and bloomers, so it really is a great value pattern.  I’m sure you’ll be seeing more versions from me!

I made a little cardigan to go with it using Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo DK 2255, knitted in  Sublime Baby Kapok DK, which is gorgeous.  I can’t recommend this yarn highly enough, it has a beautiful drape and great stitch definition.  Only £2.49 a ball here.

It was really cold last week, so I made a little hat to match.  The sun has shone ever since she was born!

International Craft Swap gorgeousness!

Kristin of Fearsome 5 (& family) was my partner for Rachel’s International Craft Swap.  And just look at what she made!  A beautiful folding water bowl for Hetty, and matching bag for treats and carrying things.

  

The bowl holds water really well, but I tried her with some treats here (also included in the parcel – so thoughtful).  Just as well, because the first thing she did was pick the bowl up and take it to the doormat, her favourite place for investigating new things.  We’ll keep the water for outside the house I think!

The pattern is from The Green Pepper Inc, which sells all sorts of outdoorsy patterns and supplies to make them.

Kristin also sent me a collection of sewing and beauty supplies, which I love.  And some amazing ginger cookies from Cougar Mountain - not pictured because we ate them!

Thank you Kristin, you made the whole family very happy!