Things I learnt from ‘Me-Made-May’

‘Me-Made-May’ outfits

A. Bold blue summer dress    B. Orange penguin dress    C. Chevron 60’s dress    D. Mod tulip dress    E. Re-fashioned skirt (not blogged)    F. Magnified dot shift dress    G. Black and white chevron dress    H. Easy leopard skirt

 

I really don’t know why I haven’t done ‘Me-made-may‘ before! It has seriously given me perspective on wearing handmade and what works for my wardrobe!

Going to make a confession here-….even though I sew, I usually don’t wear handmade things every single day, especially when the weather is colder (but this has to change, jumper and jeans everyday can get boring). I tend to sew summer pieces, so it has been a fun challenge working some of my summer makes into cold-weather outfits! Me-made-may really makes you asses the kind of outfits you wear day-to day, what pieces suit your lifestyle and what handmade pieces you love to wear!

Here are some lessons I have learnt:

1. Layering collared shirts under shift dresses is awesome– This was a brilliant styling revelation to me (for some reason). I love anything with a collar (especially dresses) and it can give your shift dresses a fun new look!

2. I really need to make more skirts and solid coloured separates! When you have a solid skirt you can mix and match seamlessly with almost anything and but it’s often way more fun/less standard than jeans!  I’m so attracted to prints, but for that very reason I really need more solid coloured items in my wardrobe! Natalie Jane of ‘Natalie Jane Handmade’  has this fabulous pink pencil skirt I have been seriously coveting (Btw- this girl really knows how to dress LOVE her MMMay outfits!).

3. Find cardigan alternatives I find cardigans to be a necessary evil in the colder weather.  So cute on other people, but a bit frumpy on me…hmm what to do….I need something to layer over dresses and tops.Something that is not too long or bulky (making all my short sleeved dresses wearable, while adding warmth)….I mentioned this in my last post and the lovely Ginger of ‘Ginger Makes’ mentioned she was thinking of making blazers in heavy knits. Ah, Of course! Blazers! Brilliant!  I have yet to make my own, but I sneakily bought some inexpensive cropped ponti ones and they are brilliant! Now I can show off my handmade skirts and dresses, but still look ‘put together’. I think it’s about time I tackle/sew a cropped jacket or some smart cold weather-layering pieces!

I’d love to follow more sewists on instagram! I’m @kathborup, is that how you write it? I’m a bit of a social media noob 😉

Till next time, keep sewing 🙂

Kath