Me-Made-May Results or my love for Scouts!

So with May behind us it's about time to see how it went. First up, the last batch of ropey selfies...

Clockwise from top  left;17/05/13; 18/05/13; 23/05/13; 30/05/13; 26/05/13, 25/05/13

The briefest hint of sunshine allowed me to wear my Darling Ranges dress, albeit with a vest, half slip, tights and (later) boots. Then I tested out a couple of yet-to-be-blogged tops; a cute Washi tunic made from a soft grey anchor print cotton and a pinstripe Scout with a self drafted peter pan collar. Next I wore my crabby Ginger. And finally my denim tulip skirt and beloved Liberty Scout to finish with.

What have I learnt? My pledge was to wear two me-made or refashioned garments a week, I make that at least 8 garments. I managed 14! Yay! I've also learnt that I really love a Scout T-shirt...

Scout-mania 

 ...and my yellow cardigan! I have fabric washed and waiting patiently to be made into another Scout. Looks like if it wasn't wearing a Scout it was a skirt, not bad for a jeans&tee sort of girl. Again I have some fabric lined up for another pleated knee length skirt. Well, if it aint broke..

The three occasions I didn't wear a Scout or knee length skirt are below, all of which were made in May, along with my peter pan Scout and refashioned silk Scout. I'm pretty pleased with my self, especially as of the clothes I've worn only four skirts and a top were made before May (and two of those just a week before!)

I have loved taking part, even though I couldn't commit to a garment every day, maybe next year. I have loved seeing what everyone has worn although my to-make list is as ling as my arm now!

Now I'd better get to bed, unless I just cut out my next Scout!

Progress report: Me-Made-May'13

So, half way through May and how am I doing with my Me-Made-May'13 challenge? Not bad at all!

I've committed to two me-made or refashioned garments a week and I'm actually exceeding that target! I've been recording my progress on Instgram, so here's what i've been wearing;

Clockwise from top left; 01/05/13; 02/05/13; 07/05/13; 04/05/13

For the first of May I wore my brand new 1000 cranes skirt. I'm so pleased with it! I've managed to get the fit pretty good and felt great in it. Next up was my Scout. I made this from a beautiful piece of cotton lawn I grabbed from Liberty's remnant bin last summer. It is a touch wide on the shoulders/neck but so comfy and easy to wear. I felt awful on the 4th and I have to say I didn't last the day in my red corduroy mini skirt. I drafted it myself last autumn, copying an even smaller skirt (from many years ago). I think it's just too short and low waisted; I'm no longer 19 :(  The 7th was the last of the lovely (brief) warm spell of weather so I wore my denim tulip skirt. I went back and took in the waist after it's first outing as it was gaping a bit. While I was messing with the waistband I put in a lining. Why I didn't in the fist place I don't know!

Clockwise from top left; 08/05/13; 11/05/13; 15/05/13; 13/05/13

On the 8th, almost the moment it was finished, my silk shirt x Scout refashion got a test drive. I'm very pleased with it (see smug face pic) I might sew the button placket together though, the top button did slip out at one point. Next was my yellow t-shirt, almost too boring to mention, except that the fit is pretty bad; kind of loose and a bit short. I definitely need more practice with knits. My beloved Liberty Scout (again) straight off the ironing board. I think a few more Scouts are needed! And finally my crabby Ginger skirt from last summer. It used to have the beautiful shaped waistband, but it always folded up on it's self. I think I'm too short waisted for it. So it's been recently straightened. It's also unlined, so the waistband is currently just tacked down because I'm *getting round* to lining it. Any minute now....

8 me-made days out of 15, pretty good going! Maybe my initial pledge of 2 garments a week was a bit pessimistic. I think I'll keep this up, I'm wearing my Darling Ranges dress as I type and finished a cute top last night (not even a Scout) Onwards and upwards!

My first re-fashion; purple silk shirt

So a couple of weeks ago I had a bit of time to kill before a coffee date and ended up in Oxfam. I scored four 100% silk shirts for £2.99 each. Two of them exactly the same; plain button up shirts with no darts. Basically a fair amount of jewel coloured silk for the price of a large coffee each.

not quite a 'before' photo

I finally cut into one of the last week, after a session with the iron and a damp tea towel. I had just enough to make a Scout t-shirt! First I cut up all the seams to give me some nice flat pieces of fabric to work with. I decided to keep the buttons up the centre front and face the neck and sleeves with bias strips cut from the spare sleeve.

I went for french seams on the sides and armsyce. French seams on the armsyce was a first for me but it came together very smoothly.

inside french seam glory

A silk top for less than £4.50 (£1.50 for thread) and I didn't even have to sew on a single button!

The perfect quick make to help me out with Me-Made-May.  But the question is, shall I do exactly the same with the green shirt or is that just to boring? Maybe. Or the buttons down the back instead perhaps?

Rash decisions and ambitious plans

Last night, I indulged in my frequent pastime of plotting. I like to 'research' future projects, which in reality means many hours lost to various blogs and websites, resulting in long lists of the garments I intend to produce. Sometimes an entirely new coordinated wardrobe full. And of course the inevitable fabric and pattern purchases.

Notice the word "intend"

I'm pretty bad at the follow through. Maybe planning four garments at a time is not the best idea?

So anyway, mid research/shopping, I realised that it's almost May. Almost Me-Made-May'13! I really love seeing all the outfit photos and want tone part of it, so despite having only a couple of skirts, one top and and unfinished (badly fitted) Cambie dress, I signed up straight away;

'I, Sarah of sarahbgood, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavour to wear two handmade or refashioned garments a week for the duration of May 2013' 

Surely I can commit to that? But in case I get sick of wearing the same two skirts for the next few weeks, I do have a fair amount of fabric and pretty patterns to whip up a few more things.

yellow spot interlock; red/pink Liberty baby cord; blue Liberty Lawn; giraffe silk chiffon

Oh, and a new pattern. And one or two lengths of fabric. You know, just in case!