I started sewing clothes for myself on a fairly regular basis last May. It’s been almost a full year, and I’ve made loads of clothes. Back then, I held a secret aspiration to participate in Me-Made-May in a year’s time, and now that event is starting tomorrow! I think I’m ready, and I just signed up. So excited. I’ve been wanting to participate for years.
I’ve noticed that on many sewing blogs, folks often talk about how they constantly make these beautiful clothes that just never get worn because they’re just not everyday appropriate or don’t actually mesh with their style or they don’t work with other items in the closet. When I first dabbled in stitching my own clothes back in 2008 or so, I found myself making fancy dress after fancy dress even though I hated wearing dresses (I now love them, but you know what I mean). I stopped sewing for myself when I went back to work shortly before 2009 and didn’t pick it up again until last year. This time around, I was determined to sew practical clothes. Funnily enough, even though I think I’ve been pretty good about staying true to my own personal style and focusing on “wearable” items, I still bypass a vast majority of the clothes that I make when morning rolls around. It’s perplexing.
When I posted the jacket that I adore so much earlier this week, I realized that I don’t feel that deep love for too many of the clothes I make. And because I can just power up my sewing machine and make something shiny and new and crow about the skills I’ve developed or the stash-busing I’m accomplishing, I haven’t been really thinking too deeply about how best to build a collection of clothing that truly works for my body, my lifestyle, and my aesthetics. Addressing these types of issues that often crop up with creating your own clothes, the always instructional and insightful Coletterie put forth the Wardrobe Architect series.
I have a feeling that the Wardrobe Architect brilliance combined with the practice of wearing my handmade clothes daily through Me-Made-May will help me focus and allow me to better navigate the still foggy terrain of creating a wardrobe that I love. To get a better sense of all the clothes I’ve slaved over in the last year, I painted each item, and whoa, I made 46 in total (not counting the infinity scarf). I obviously can’t seem to stay away from the colors blue and grey, which isn’t really a problem for me, but seeing them all together like this makes me want to explore a broader range of colors…
I have more thoughts on this as I’ve been mulling over this for a while, but for now I promise not to bombard you with photos of myself in my handmade wardrobe day in and day out this upcoming month.
Lately, I’ve been wondering if a girl can have too many blue dresses, and if anybody notices that its all I wear. Based on your painting, I think the answer is no. Can’t wait to see your May wardrobe.
I’d have to agree that a girl can never have too many blue dresses, Kristi! In fact, on this ceremonious first day of Me-Made-May, I’m wearing my navy chevron knit maxi dress — perfect for the rare heat wave we’re having (88 degrees!).
I would love to see your me-made-May outfits. You’ve made so many beautiful items–it would be nice to see how they transition into everyday!
Thank you, Megan! I’ll do a sort of weekly wrap-up sort of post series, I think…we shall see!
I would love to be bombarded by your May outfits! I loved seeing all your makes in the painting and remembering my favorites! I thought about participating in me made may, but it always takes so long for me to take pictures that I did not think it would be realistic for me. But I actually wear something handmade every day! And I wear the majority of my makes. I have too many already to wear them all regularly, but I love them all. (And like you, I am focusing on practical, everyday clothes.) Can´t wait to see your outfits!
I’m so impressed, Ute, but of course, you make such lovely clothes it’s no wonder you wear them daily (or near daily)! I guess for me, as much as I like a lot of the clothes I make, I still have so many RTW clothes in my closet/dressers, that I get easily distracted. I’m planning on addressing many issues I’ve had about not wearing my me-made clothes this upcoming month!
You are the best. I’m really looking forward to this. And more illustrated fashion plz!
Oh, thank you, Sonya!! More fashion illustrations to come for sure! 🙂
I followed along with the wardrobe architect series as well and managed to put together a half way decent wardrobe, on paper at least. Getting around to sewing it is a whole different matter.
I’m currently reading through all the wardrobe architect posts since I’m always late to the game, and I’m so inspired with what Sarai has put together. I’m with you, Jennifer, the sewing part is always the challenge – I have pages and pages of plans that take forever to get materialize!
So I did it. I made a plan, and sketched out and colored all the different items/patterns I want to try and make from my stash, including dying my own knits. 17+ items… Maybe by next May I can join in the fun! Thanks for the inspiration. It is a joy seeing you accomplish this.
Wonderful, Beccy!! What’s great about Me-Made-May is that you can tailor it to however you want to participate. If you only have a few items you’ve made, you can just wear them over and over or once a week or whatever. I’m excited to give my sewing more direction through participating!
I am so excited you are doing this. I am as well and I’m hoping for much of the same result. I really want to better assess what I really wear and what I should make in the future. I’m looking forward to the challenge and so I happy to have you along for the ride!
Hooray! I’m glad you’re doing it too, Melissa! I’ve been wistfully admiring Me-Made-May since Zoe first started it, so this is a big deal for me!!