So far me-made May has been a tougher challenge than I expected. I certainly have plenty of handmade clothes, but I find myself reluctant to wear some of them. I have come to the realization that my personal style has changed quite a bit in the past few years!
When I started sewing I was mainly excited to have more dresses, and specifically pretty sundresses. I made a ton of them, and while I think they are pretty in the abstract I don’t find myself reaching for them.
Fashion I am loving right now:
1. Graphic prints
2. Black/white/gray with a strong pop of color
3. Maxi dresses
4. Unstructured knit dresses and tunics
5. Skinny jeans and pants
6. Flats and wedges
What I’m not feeling:
1. Florals
2. Dresses/tops with back ties or sashes
3. Super fitted/structured garments
4. Sandals and heels
With those in mind, here are my outfits from the second week of me-made May along with commentary:
Me-made item: Simplicity 2219
Comments: This dress remains my favorite handmade item ever, and no I am not exaggerating! I love the print, which is interesting without being overwhelming, and the style of the dress itself is very graceful. In fact, why haven’t I made another of these? I think I will have to put that on my list!
Pattern review: I loved this pattern, but after making it I do have one comment. If you use a knit with lycra it will stretch over time. I’ve taken it up at the shoulders twice, and I’m about to do the hem again. I reinforced all my seams, but this is just a lot of fabric!
Me-made item: Colette patterns Beignet skirt
Comments: I’m surprised by how much I still love this skirt, and how well made it is (it was my third project.) Colette patterns have super instructions! I love this outfit – the stripes go well with the yellow. I would rather have a different shirt, but I’m eternally low on solid colored tops.
Pattern comments: I would not make another skirt from cotton twill – this wrinkles are epic by the end of the day, and it does not stretch at all, leading to a slightly odd look when sitting. The lining has shrunk slightly unevenly, and is now prone to sticking out of the bottom when I sit. I’m thinking of removing it entirely, as it doesn’t help with wrinkling and I don’t wear this in the winter!
Me-made item: Simplicity 2443 (dress and jacket)
Comments: This outfit doesn’t really work for me. The blue of the jacket doesn’t go with the dress, and both pieces work better with other items in my wardrobe. I keep trying to wear these sandals, but I just don’t like them (or sandals in general for some reason – I own very few!)
Pattern comments: I’ve made it twice, so I must like it! I actually wear the grey version of this dress more often, but I love the blue as well. The jacket never fails to get compliments, but I don’t really like it with the dress in the pattern. It’s too boxy with the gathered skirt.
Me-made item: Vogue 1179 (dress)
Comments: I like this outfit. It’s comfortable for teaching but still professional, a difficult balance. The shoes are keds with wedge heels – love them! The cardigan is by Rachael Roy and is my favorite in the world. I’m so glad the style has gone to long cardigans again!
Pattern comments: This pattern is awesome. I’ve helped a few other people make one as well, and it looks great on everyone! I want to make another in the future.
Me-made item: the obi belt (and I also altered the dress pretty heavily from its original state.)
Comments: I wear this outfit pretty often – it’s one of my current favorites. The dress is a knit, so it’s comfortable, and the belt makes it more interesting (it’s a bit dull on its own.) I love the bateau neckline – why don’t I own more of them?
Pattern comments: I’ve made this belt twice. This version gets worn more often, but I love them both. I want to make one out of leather!
Me-made item: Vogue 8469 (dress)
Comments: This is an example of an outfit that doesn’t feel like me anymore. This dress is only a year old, but I have to admit that even when I made it originally I had doubts. I don’t like to use the phrase “too young,” as I pretty much think you should wear whatever makes you happy. What I am thinking is: not sophisticated enough. The print makes it cutesy, and the thick black band (and back tie, which you can’t see) make it seem a little cheap to me. I love color and pattern, but this one doesn’t do it for me – it feels like wearing a costume.
Pattern comments: See the above paragraph. I think this pattern has a tendency to look a little too home-ec for my taste, and I don’t recommend it.
Me-made item: Simplicity 2603 (cardigan)
Comments: I know, pants! One thing I’ve been trying to do this year is incorporate more silhouettes into my style, and pants are a big one. I like them, but I do have a hard time finding well fitted jeans. These are from NY and Co, and I think they fit me because they are a petite (I am all torso.) I like this outfit, even the pairing of the pink wrap with the brown top.
Pattern comments: Hasn’t everyone made one of these? It’s a great pattern, but if I made another I would go for the shorter version. This one can only be worn tied.
I’ve also used the gel-nail system I bought myself twice more since I posted. I thought I would post them for anyone interested – feel free to ignore! The first manicure lasted 2 weeks! The second lasted only 4 days, but that’s my fault – if you use regular polish between the layers it must be completely dry before topcoating, and I got impatient.
This is a neon purple (by Massini, a brand I can only find at Meijer stores) topped with a Konad stamp in zebra print. You can see I had trouble getting the black stamp excess off my cuticles, but that’s ok – it didn’t last that long anyway!
This is Misa “Hot People like you,” a sheer neon pink with a little shimmer. I used two coats of that, then used 2 coats of a black/silver glitter, and finished with another coat of the pink. I read about this on a nail blog – it’s called a jelly sandwich, with glitter in between. I really like it!