MMM Day 31

Here it is, the last day of May, and so the last day of Me-Made-May for 2017. I actually thought I'd skip it this year but changed my mind. In previous years I posted to Flickr and I was unsure I could realistically post to my blog every day. Well, it worked out just fine. And I learned some helpful ideas for refining my wardrobe.

Top:

The tunic is made using Vogue 9171. This is a pattern designed by Marcy Tilton. I like it quite a lot. I raised the neckline as I always do with Marcy Tilton designs, and I changed the sleeves a bit, omitting the gathering at the cuff. I really like the cleverly engineered pockets and the easy fit. The fabric is Brussels washer, a linen-rayon blend.

Pants:

These are my cropped Helix pants made with a firm black ponte. Both pattern and fabric are from the Sewing Workshop.

Here is what the girls made at Camp Sew 'N' Sew today, a towel with an attached bag. You stuff the towel in the bag and wear it as a back pack. There's still room for a key, swim suit, sun screen and so on. Kudos to sewing sista' Rena for its design.

Lastly, here is a shout-out to anyone who has followed my blog this month. I've enjoyed seeing some very nice comments. Thanks so much!

MMM Day 30

Me-Made-May is almost over. And, as usual, I've learned some things about what I like to wear, what I like to make, and the intersection between those two!

Top:

This shirt is from Just A Pinch, a pattern from Cutting Line Designs. The name originates from the horizontal pin tucks down the front. I omitted the tucks, and more recently took about 3 inches off the back length. The cheerful yellow fabric is a Japanese cotton, also from Cutting Line Designs.

I really like that vest but have not made it yet.

Pants:

These are my newest make with the Quincy pattern from the Sewing Workshop. The fabric is a washed linen I purchased in Paris. It was already highly textured, as you might expect from a *washed* linen. I tested it to make sure because it doesn't behave exactly like linens I used before. It is much better behaved. And it was wonderful to sew.

I omitted the tabs on the side seams. And I think mine are too long for summer pants. I'll take them up 1/2 inch. I don't like for my pants legs to pool on top of my feet.

It was another fun day at Camp Sew 'n' Sew. Here's what we made today:

Aren't they adorable?

MMM Day 29

Today is the first day of Camp Sew 'n' Sew, a one week camp I've organized each summer now for 9 years! It's always fun and occasionally challenging. Totally worth it.

Top:

This is a tee shirt made with Grainline Studio's Lark Tee pattern. The fabric is rayon jersey, black and white striped. I love stripes!

Pants:

These are my newest favorite pants pattern - Eureka! Pants that Fit from Fit for Art. These are the first pair I made in white denim. The pants pattern is quite basic with front and back darts, ordinary side seams and inseam, with a tapered silhouette. For these I used a lapped center back zipper with a tiny on-grain binding at the waistline. I also cropped them for summer wear.

And here is what the girls made today:

Camp Sew 'n' sew is for girls temporarily living in a group home. This year, some have had sewing experience and others were brand new to sewing. They all seemed to have a grand time!

MMM Day 28

As I compose this post, I am anxious, anxious to go sew. For me.

And I'm preparing for a week of Camp Sew 'n' Sew next week. So. No sewing me. But lots and lots of fun!

Top:

This is the updated San Diego top from the Sewing Workshop. It came out years ago as a jacket with dropped shoulders. They've updated it to include a closer fitting top and an interesting tunic. So far I've only made the updated top. This is a silk-linen blend that I think I purchased a Textile Fabrics in Nashville TN. I think I must have lengthened the sleeves a few inches.

Pants:

These are the Quincy pants, also a TSW pattern. The pattern contains a jacket and these narrow leg, elastic waist pants. Mine are made from either a brushed silk or maybe a brushed rayon. Super light weight and lovely to wear.

I have a new pair of Quincy pants cut out and ready to sew.

MMM Day 27

oday I spent a fun morning with sewing pals at City-wide Couture (part of ASG Atlanta). I wore my latest make - the urban tunic from Indygo Junction. The fabric is black linen. Modifications included lengthning, adjusting the bust dart, and bias binding in place of armscye facings.

I want to find time to make this again - it is so easy to make and wear.

MMM Day 26

Today was a super busy day with babysitting and preparing for next week's Camp Sew 'n' Sew. I wore something I haven't worn yet this month - hooray!

Top:

This top is view B from Cutting Line Design's Simplify Your Life. It's made in a medium weight linen with added breast pockets. I omitted the shoulder buttons - it slips over my head.

Pants:

The pants are from the Sewing Workshop's Trio. They have an interesting shape and are almost too comfortable - elastic waist, low pockets on the side panels (yes, they are working pockets!), lantern shape. The waist is the signature waistline from TSW with a flat front. The fabric is probably Brussels washer (linen and cotton).

MMM Day 25

Cooler weather today means I can wear long sleeves and knit pants. Hooray!

One of the things I like about me-made-may is that I go through my closet and notice items I haven't worn. Sometimes I just need to put it in the donate pile. Other times a quick repair is needed. Or maybe I just forgot to wear it. The truth is that I have way more clothes than I need but I love to sew!

Top:

The top is a knit shirt made from Butterick 5925, a Katherine Tilton design. As I'm wearing this, I'm trying to figure out why I made a top from this pattern only once. I love this top. I made view A with a V-neckline. I no longer remember the source of the rayon knit, but isn't it cheerful? It's a good one to wear if I need a spirit lift.

Pants:

These are of course my favorite knit pant - the Helix pants from the Sewing Workshop - this time slightly cropped.

MMM Day 24

Today I'm wearing a topper from Folkwear and pants from the Sewing Workshop:

Top:

This shirt is a fun piece to make with its reversed neckline facing that creates a V-neck and an ethnic look. Called the Egyptian shirt, it is designed and sold by Folkwear. It also has clever pockets in the side panels. I've made the longer version, but of course this is shirt length or perhaps tunic length.

The fabric is a light-weight linen with a beautiful geometric weave. I purchased it from Marie DeGeorge in one of her sometimes annual purge of her design studio.

Pants:

Having worn these all day long, I decided to cut out a new pair. They are so easy to wear (and make). These are the Quincy pants from the Sewing Workshop. They are pull-on pants with an elastic waist and narrowed legs. The pattern shows a button and loop on the side of each leg. I omitted that.

The fabric used in today's Quincy pants is a mystery. It is one of those pieces that marinated in my stash long enough for me to forget its source. It feels like a brushed silk, but it might be rayon. I should do a burn test to see if I can tell. They are lovely to wear.

So that's it for MMM Day 24!

MMM Day 23

Today is a good day, 'cause I get to sew.

Bonjour! mini-quilt

Top:

Today's top is the Olive view from the pattern Alex and Olive, by the Sewing Workshop. I added navy striped knit piping to accent its interesting lines. I did not add the decorative back zipper.

Pants:

These are the Hudson pants also from TSW. These are made in yummy navy blue silk noil. I think I need another pair of these pants.

What I'm sewing today, I think:

MMM Day 22

Me-Made-May 2017 is marching along and I'm enjoying seeing some of the makes posted on Instagram and other places. I started Day 22 with yoga wearing Tessuti's Mandy boat top and RTW yoga pants.

Mandy is a free download I've made a couple of times. It's one of those one-size-fits-all which means there is no fit at all.  The fabric is a skyline print in rayon knit.

Later I wore these two pieces, both patterns from the Sewing Workshop:

The pants are the Helix pants, this time in red ponte. The shirt is the Florence in a nice cotton Ikat from Gail K in Atlanta. I omitted the decorative buttons from the back. It has such a cute pocket. I lost the pattern piece though.

MMM Day 21

Today I wore a partial repeat but had the opportunity to wear a favorite from last year's hot weather.

This is the Eureka top, another pattern from the Sewing Workshop. I've never made the skirt but the top is an easy make and often just right for warm weather. The fabric is a rayon navy and white pin stripe. I always like sewing with stripes - so many ways to use it.

The pants are, once again, my super light weight one-seams.

I think I'm back home for a while and may be able to vary the final 10 days of Me-Made-May a bit more. Meanwhile here are some works-in-progress, intentionally slow-going.

MMM Day 20

I'm headed to a softball tournament for granddaughter. It should be warm. No, it'll be hot:

Pants:

These are the lightest pants I own in a very light weight denim. They are the tapered one-seams from Cutting Line Designs. I just shortened them a tad for summer wear. Slightly cropped seems better to me than pooled at my ankles. Especially when it's hot.

Top:

This is the tank or shell view of the MixIt pattern from the Sewing Workshop. Nothing could be easier to make and wear, IMO. This fabric is a linen-cotton blend in a cross dye of navy and cream.

MMM Day 19

Hello, on this 19th day of Me-Made-May 2017!

My chosen ensemble today is an easy one:

Top:

This is the MixIt top from the Sewing Workshop, one I've made over and over again. It's such a great top for hot weather. This time, for reasons I cannot recall, I placed the opening in the back. I now plan to put this in the mending pile. I think I'll shift the opening back to the front. I should remember that I like that V-neck effect.

Pants:

These are the Hudson pants, also from TSW, and another favorite pattern. If I could, I'd probably wear these every day! Just look at those cool darts at the ankle.

I do have quite a pile going in the mend category. I think that's fun too. I hope your day contains at least a few moments of fabric play.

MMM Day 18

Today's focus on catching up did not demand much of me so I dressed in this easy ensemble:

Pants:

These are a variation on the Urban pants from the Sewing Workshop (TSW). I omitted the front vent and, instead, there is simply a vertical seam on each leg. These pants, and others from TSW, have an elastic waist but a portion of the front is flat, creating a smooth front. The fabric is a medium weight cotton cross-dyed black and white.

Top:

This is a variation on the Eureka top, also from the Sewing Workshop. The pattern calls for a knit; here I've used a light-weight cotton pique. I also changed the neckline to a V-neck.

Indygo Junction Urban Tunic

This is a tunic I finished before I left for my trip to Paris. I even wore it once to dinner. Now I finally have time to blog about it.

I love it.

The Urban Tunic from Indygo Junction first came to my attention at Camp Runamuck, where Theresa discusses weaving, sewing, and the state of the union. I loved her versions and now believe I'll be making various versions of it too.

I made a partial toile (muslin) before cutting into my black linen. Much was revealed. I could see that I needed to lower the bust point about an inch, add a bit for hip room, and carefully ease in some fullness in the front armscye where gaposis was beginning. I also added 3 inches to the length so that it would be a dress, rather than a tunic. 

I chose the view with the cowl neckline. I like this in principle but in practice it is a little low for my comfort. I wore it last night with a necklace and that helped a bit.

I love the pockets. They are the simple in-seam style with little bulk because the pocket is stitched to the dress. I prefer this over a loose pocket with extra floppy bulk right where I don't want it. 

I finished the armscye with bias binding made from the black linen. It's a finish that appeals to me more than facings, at least in this case.

The additional 3 inches I added to the length did make this long enough to be considered a dress. Just. I added another bias strip of the linen to the hemline using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Then I pressed it to the wrong side and top-stitched three times to secure it. I left the edge of the bias raw on the inside of the hem to avoid a lump.

I'd like to make another Urban Tunic soon, perhaps with the boat neck. That is the neckline used in my toile and it is just right. It might be that if I make this in a lighter color, I'll be brave enough to wear it with naked legs. My legs are so pale, it would almost have to be a white dress. We'll see.

In sum, I highly recommend this pattern and expect to be making more as tunics and, maybe, dresses. You know how it is with dresses. They are not the first item I grab when I'm getting dressed in the morning.