Me-Made-May 2018 Recap

Me-Made-May 2018 has come to an end! It's hard to believe that this was my fifth year participating (and the whole challenge has been going on for nine years!). I posted my outfits on instagram, but I am going to do a quick wrap up here too. I managed to wear handmade everyday that I was not working and I repeated some pieces, but not entire outfits.

From left to right: Day 1 was my Cheyenne tunic and dropped waist Sybil skirt.

Day 5 was my brushed poly Union St. Tee and Veronika Skirt.

Day 6 was my Madeline Maxi dress and Julia cardigan.

Day 7 was my Lady Skater dress. 

On day 9 I wore a short sleeve day tripper top with my Blackwood cardigan, route 66 skirt, and Avery leggings. 

Day 10 was a Fringe blouse and double gauze tiered skirt. 

Day 11 was a Marigold dress and Avery leggings. 

Day 13 was my new Joy Jacket, a day tripper top, and a Sybil pencil skirt. 

On day 15 I wore a Union St. Tee and knit a-line skirt.

Day 16 was a Shoreline Boatneck and linen Street Fair skirt.

Day 18 was another Lady Skater dress. 

Day 19 was another version of the Union St. Tee and a knit a-line skirt. 

Day 20 was my rayon Fringe dress and my Blackwood Cardigan.

Day 21 was my favorite Daytripper top and denim route 66 skirt. 

Day 25 was my Union St. Tee with my Gabrielle Godet skirt (the oldest make I wore this month!). 

My sister is wearing a Oliver & S Hopscotch skirt made by me. 

Day 26 was my Wildflower Top and another version of the Street Fair skirt. 

Day 27 was one of my favorite outfits - my Felicity dress, Julia cardigan, and a handmade scarf.

Day 30 was a Lane Raglan and knit a-line skirt. 

Finally, on day 31 I wore my Wildflower top again with my Sybil pencil skirt (loved this outfit too!).

As you can probably tell, there are some skipped days. That just means I was working that night or the night before and spent the day sleeping. I wore me-made pajamas though and I have a few me-made long sleeve Union St. Tees for wearing under my scrubs.

The weather made the month of May hard too. We didn't really have a spring. It seemed as though we went right from winter to the middle of summer with temps getting as high as 90 degrees. There were a few cooler days thrown in and you can see with my outfits how the weather was bouncing around.

There are quite a few things I did not end up wearing (mostly my winter clothing). I also noticed that a lot of my clothes are from 2013 and 2014. I still wear those clothes quite a bit and it just goes to show that handmade items can last a long time!

My least favorite part of the month was taking a picture everyday because on most days I did not have a photographer and there is not good lighting in my apartment. That is not the main reason for the challenge, but I am glad I took pictures so I can look back on my outfits!

I will continue to wear my handmade clothes, because those include some of my favorite things to wear. It's fun to see how far I have come since the first year I participated in me-made-May.

~Elizabeth

Me-Made-May 2018

It's almost time for Me-Made-May! I love taking part in this event every year and seeing all the amazing handmade outfits that everyone pledges to wear. This will be my fifth year participating in Me-Made-May and it is interesting to me to look back and see how much my wardrobe has changed over the years. Five years ago, I was still in college and know I'm in the working world as a nurse! 

I wear something handmade almost everyday. In fact, it would be more of a challenge for me to wear something RTW than it is to wear handmade. My handmade items are just what I like to wear now! It also helps that I'm part of the RTW fast this year, so I am not buying any RTW clothes. So far, that is going well and I haven't felt the need to buy any clothes for myself!

Here is my pledge for MMM '18:

 'I, Elizabeth of The College Seamstress blog and @thecollegeseamstress on instagram, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '18. I endeavour to wear only me made clothing (with the exception of undergarments, shoes, socks, and work scrubs!) throughout May 2018'. 

I will be sharing daily photos on Instagram and hope to do a few updates here on the blog. At the end of the month I will evaluate what worked, what didn't work, and what needs to go. I also want to figure out what I need more of in my wardrobe. In addition to my pledge, I have a goal to finish sewing the Joy Jacket pattern for my mom and I. I also want to sew something else from my #makenine list (possibly the Carolyn Pajamas or the Gabriola Skirt). 

Are you participating in Me-Made-May this year? 

~Elizabeth

2018 Make Nine

Happy New Year everyone!! I hope your 2018 is off to a great start! It has been a bit stressful for me with car trouble and moving to a new apartment, but I am excited to see what the year will bring!

I thought I would participate in #2018makenine and I have already shared my picks over on instagram. I thought I'd share them here on the blog too. It's a challenge started by Lucky Lucille and the idea is to pick nine patterns you'd like to make this year.

From Left to Right: 1. Gabriola Skirt - Sewaholic 2. Carolyn Pajamas - Closet Case Patterns 3. Grace Tankini - Savvy Patterns 4. Fringe Dress - Chalk and Notch 5. Union St. Tee - Hey June Handmade 6. Chai Shirtdress - Itch to Stitch 7. Cheyenne Tunic - Hey June Handmade 8. Cascade Duffle Coat - Grainline Studio 9. My unfinished T-shirt quilt

1 // Gabriola Skirt 

I love skirts and maxi skirts are no exception! I got this pattern for my birthday quite a few years ago now, but only ever traced the pattern pieces. If I remember right, I have to do some grading between sizes, but I'm determined to make it this year! It would be lovely in a rayon or voile for summer. 

2 // Carolyn Pajamas 

I've never had a nice pair of pajamas. Right now I have handmade pajama pants that are six or seven years old and show some wear and tear. They have served me well, but I think it's time for an upgrade! I've always liked the look of this pattern, so I'm hoping to make it. 

3 // Grace Tankini

I admired this swimsuit pattern ever since it released last summer. I have tried sewing a swimsuit in the past, but have failed. I'm hoping I will have better luck with this pattern! It's feminine and has a classic style. 

4 // Fringe Dress

I've made this pattern in the top view. I also made a maxi version in stretch velvet for Christmas (blog post coming soon!). I love the pattern and would like to try view B. Maybe it will be an Easter dress?

5 // Union St. Tee

This is another pattern I have made a couple times, but it has since been updated! A simple t-shirt is a must in any wardrobe. I am in need of some long sleeve t-shirts as well, so I'm hoping to make a couple of these. 

6 // Chai Shirtdress

I love a good shirtdress and could live in them all summer. I bought this pattern as soon as it came out last year, but have not had a chance to sew it yet. My muslin is still cut out and waiting for me in my sewing room somewhere. I'm looking forward to making it!

7 // Cheyenne Tunic

Flannel shirts are great for cold Minnesota winters! I have loved every version of this shirt I see. Two years ago, I bought some Robert Kaufman flannel to make myself one and it is still uncut in my sewing room. I will make it before winter is over!

8 // Cascade Duffle Coat

I have admired this coat pattern for a long time, but I still don't own it. There is a coat making party happening on instagram this month, but I'm not sure if I will get to it right away. My current coat is falling apart, so I think it's time for a new one. I'm planning on making it in wool and lining it in something warm for these subzero temps that don't seem to be going away anytime soon! Any coat making tips out there?

9 // My t-shirt quilt

I started my t-shirt quilt in April of 2016 by cutting out all of the squares. In June of 2017, I interfaced all my squares and came up with a good layout (with the help of my brother). Ever since then, the squares have been put away in a bag. I'm hoping this will be the year I finish it!

I have lots of other projects planned besides these, but we will see what the year brings! I tried to pick patterns that I have and want to sew. I'm also participating in the RTW fast hosted by Goodbye Valentino, so I will not be buying any ready to wear clothing this year! I already wear a lot of handmade clothing, but I still enjoy shopping from time to time, especially at thrift stores! It will be a fun challenge and I'm looking forward to adding good quality handmade items to my wardrobe! I'm joining over one thousand other sewists in this challenge as well!  

I'm also hoping to sew mostly from my stash and when I do buy fabric, buy it with a project in mind. I also want to limit my pattern buying habits because I have so many patterns that I've never made! 

Do you have any sewing plans or goals for the year? 

~Elizabeth