Me Made May 2019
06.06.19

Me Made May 2019

If you aren’t involved in the garment making community (yet, ::wink::), you may be wondering what Me Made May is all about. The movement originally started with one sewing blogger challenging herself to wear handmade clothes for one month and now it has grown into one of the most well known events in the sewing community. Over the past few years as I began sewing clothes for myself and following more and more makers via social media, I mostly watched in awe when each May rolled around. People would post photos day after day of themselves in their handmade wardrobe, and it was simultaneously inspiring and incredibly intimidating. Following a pattern and making a garment is one thing, but making a garment that fits well, is comfortable, and that you love enough to wear out and about in the world is another thing entirely. To do it for an entire month? Forget about it.

Earlier on in my sewing journey, as happens to many sewists, I would whip through a pattern just aching to get to the final product for the joy of making! Over time I have learned very well the importance of slowing down and getting the fit and finish exactly right so that I will end up with a piece I truly love to wear. (I’ll be talking more about this progression and what I’ve learned in future posts.)

The great thing about a challenge like Me Made May is that there is no obligation. No one even needs to know you are participating, so you can determine the level of involvement you want to commit to. A very accomplished sewist might decide to wear handmade head to toe every day, while a beginner might opt for simply carving out time for the making of a garment every day of the month.

I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself because I knew that if I did, it would make me super anxious and suck all the joy out of the experience. I also knew that I wanted to finally participate in one way or another. This year, for the first time, I felt that I had enough handmade garments that I love that I could actually make it through the month while wearing one handmade piece every day AND I included the caveat that if I missed a day, I would at least do some sewing on a current garment project for myself.

Now that I’m on the other side of this challenge I have SO many thoughts, feelings, and reflections on what I learned from it all. Scroll down to find the photo gallery of my (almost) daily documentation of the challenge as well as to find my many takeaways from the experience. I missed a few days unintentionally and now I don’t know exactly why – most likely preoccupation with other life things/being in workout clothes on weekends. I did sew on all the days I didn’t wear me made, so I would call this a definite success.

Me Made May 2019 - Day 1
Me Made May 2019 - Day 2
Me Made May 2019 - Day 3
Me Made May 2019 - Day 4
Me Made May 2019 - Day 5
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Me Made May 2019 - Day 8
Me Made May 2019 - Day 9
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Me Made May 2019 - Day 12
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Me Made May 2019 - Day 16
Me Made May 2019 - Day 17
Me Made May 2019 - Day 18
Me Made May 2019 - Day 20
Me Made May 2019 - Day 21
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Me Made May 2019 - Day 23
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Me Made May 2019 - Day 27
Me Made May 2019 - Day 28
Me Made May 2019 - Day 29
Me Made May 2019 - Day 30
Me Made May 2019 - Day 31
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Me Made May 2019 - Day 1

The beginning of May in Indiana is generally still on the chilly side, so I started out the month with a handmade cardigan over a ready to wear (RTW) top and jeans.

Pattern: Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig
Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss Fingering

Me Made May 2019 - Day 2

The Southport maxi dress pattern is probably my most loved dress pattern. It has an effortless look and wearability, and I have to restrain myself from sewing one up with every fabric I buy.

Pattern: Southport Dress by True Bias
Fabric: Avery Slub Linen Blend from Shop La Mercerie in Rust

Me Made May 2019 - Day 3

This handmade sweater with RTW skirt is an easy comfy work outfit, still bridging the gap from cooler weather.

Project blog post: Golden Hour Pullover

Me Made May 2019 - Day 4

I love this racerback tank so very much! I was really skeptical when I first made it but I wear it so often and am in the process of making more for myself and friends. It’s such a wonderful casual staple.

Project blog post: Relaxed Racerback Knit Tank

Me Made May 2019 - Day 5

I didn’t wear Me Made, but did sew a couple of seams (and actually documented it!)

Me Made May 2019 - Day 6

The day after Cinco de Mayo with my bestie visiting for the weekend isn’t nearly as fun as the actual day, so I was all about easy comfort. This RTW knit dress paired with my handmade loose cardigan was exactly what I needed.

Project blog post: Airy Ribbed Cardigan

Me Made May 2019 - Day 7

This dressssss. I worked so hard on this project (lots more to come about this in a future blog post) and I am so in love with it. On this particular day, I wore it because it was ideal for double duty during my workday followed by a fundraising event in the evening.

Pattern: Orchid Midi Dress by Chalk and Notch
Fabric: Rifle Paper Co. Happy Stripes cotton lawn

Me Made May 2019 - Day 8

This particular day was a tough workday, so I came home and put on my Me Made pajama shorts. This is another post in the works. I don’t actually wear the top pictured very often but I wear the shorts constantly. They are so incredibly comfy!

Pattern: City Shorts by Purl Soho
Fabric: Nani Iro Lei double gauze from Miss Matatabi

Me Made May 2019 - Day 9

I have gotten so much more wear out of this lovely top than I ever expected. Here I styled simply with RTW jeans and my fave gold shoes from Poppy Barley.

Project blog post: Tie Front Top

Me Made May 2019 - Day 10

This flutter sleeve top is such an easy favorite to grab for pretty much any work day. Styled with my frequently worn RTW skirt!

Project blog post: Flutter Sleeve Top

Me Made May 2019 - Day 12

This is a very happy mirror selfie of the day after I finished my Divide Pullover. It was perfect timing since we had yet another randomly cold May day (this was a weekend day, styled with jeans.)

Project blog post: Divide Pullover

Me Made May 2019 - Day 13

Since the following day was a Monday and it was still cold out, I wore my new sweater again, styled with a RTW knit pencil skirt and favorite booties from Poppy Barley. LOVED this outfit so much.

Project blog post: Divide Pullover

Me Made May 2019 - Day 14

This was another chilly day so I wore my beloved handmade cardigan over a RTW fit and flare dress for a super easy work outfit. Also, Caroline is rocking her Sprinkle Sweater!

Pattern: Old Romance by Joji Locatelli
Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light

Me Made May 2019 - Day 15

A crazy busy day where I didn’t even have time for a mirror selfie so grabbed this one quickly while moving from one thing to the next. I adore this shirt dress and wearing it is a good reminder to make another soon!

Pattern: Sew Over It Vintage Shirt Dress
Fabric: Rifle Paper Co. Les Fleurs Metallic Queen Anne Navy

Me Made May 2019 - Day 16

Another Southport dress paired with a fluffy sweater for a day that started chilly but ended up hot. The sweater + dress combo is one I never used to think of, but really expands the possibilities of my wardrobe.

Project blog post: Late Summer Maxi Dress
Project blog post: Cumulus Blouse

Me Made May 2019 - Day 17

On a day when I knew I would have a ton of procedures at work and thus end up wearing scrubs all day, I added Me Made in the form of this Barrett bralette. It’s the first (and so far, only) undergarment I have sewn but definitely not my last. I have several more bra and panty kits at home that I need to get to. I am excited to grow these skills!

Pattern: Barrett Bralette
Materials: Barrett bralette kit

Me Made May 2019 - Day 18

I finished this dress during Me Made May and couldn’t wait to wear it! I absolutely adore how this turned out and I am excited to wear it through all the warm months and travels I have planned. Blog post about this one coming soon.

Pattern: Orchid Midi Dress by Chalk and Notch
Fabric: Rayon crepe from Indiesew (no longer available)

Me Made May 2019 - Day 20

After sewing two fairly involved dresses (both versions of the orchid midi), I needed what is sometimes referred to as a palate cleanser project – something that you can sew up quickly without much work. I wanted a light and breezy top that I could wear for work and at home, so I sewed up a quick Gemma Tank with peplum hack and I LOVE it.

Pattern: Gemma Tank by Made by Rae with peplum hack
Fabric: Atelier Brunette double gauze from Imagine Gnats

Me Made May 2019 - Day 21

This outfit ended up being by far my favorite of the month, because it was a completely unexpected and unplanned combo that I absolutely adored! Another mildly chilly day meant I wanted just a touch of extra warmth. I wore my Mira tee over a RTW midi dress with another pair of favorite booties.

Pattern: Mira Tee by Elizabeth Smith via Quince and Co.
Yarn: Quince and Co. Kestrel organic linen in whelk

Me Made May 2019 - Day 22

Repeat outfit on taco night (hence the margarita)!

Pattern: Southport Dress by True Bias
Fabric: Avery Slub Linen Blend from Shop La Mercerie in Rust

Me Made May 2019 - Day 23

This is a dress I don’t wear all that often and I’m not exactly sure why. I think it may be that when I made this, I was still relatively new to sewing knits and even though I do like the final product, I’m often focused on the flaws (real, perceived, or focused on WAY out of proportion). This outfit received rave reviews in real life and on social media, and showed me that I’m definitely my own worst critic. Even so, I want to get much more comfortable and practiced at sewing knit pieces.

Pattern: Seamwork Moneta
Fabric: cannot remember! Maybe a discontinued Cotton + Steel knit

Me Made May 2019 - Day 24

I dressed up my tie front top with my ever present white skirt, red heels and lipstick.

Project blog post: Tie Front Top

Me Made May 2019 - Day 25

The Southport dress is out AGAIN, this time for warm spring date night with a lovely pair of dangly earrings from the incredibly talented Erin McDermott.

Project blog post: Late Summer Maxi Dress

Me Made May 2019 - Day 26

Another finished item in May, and one I have worn nearly every day since! This robe in Liberty fabric is one I have been planning for approximately eight months and now that I have it, I wish I had made it the moment I dreamed it up. (Blog post coming soon.)

Pattern: Suki Robe by Helen’s Closet
Fabric: Liberty Tana Lawn (cannot find the exact print to link)

Me Made May 2019 - Day 27

Weekend hanging in my racerback tank! Just seeing these photos again makes me SO excited for the new one to hurry up and come off my needles!

Project blog post: Relaxed Racerback Knit Tank

Me Made May 2019 - Day 28

Loved the combination of my flutter sleeve top with a RTW bright yellow skirt. Give me all the bright skirts!

Project blog post: Flutter Sleeve Top

Me Made May 2019 - Day 29

The Mira tee for dinner out with my girlfriends, this time in the way I more typically style it – with RTW jeans, a white tank, and strappy sandals.

Pattern: Mira Tee by Elizabeth Smith via Quince and Co.
Yarn: Quince and Co. Kestrel organic linen in whelk

Me Made May 2019 - Day 30

Super smiley because I made it to almost the end of the month! My happy stripes dress again :)

Pattern: Orchid Midi Dress by Chalk and Notch
Fabric: Rifle Paper Co. Happy Stripes cotton lawn

Me Made May 2019 - Day 31

I MADE IT! I wore Me Made at work that day too, but since I was going out for a family date, I wore this flamingo top with jean shorts and wedge heels. No real pattern to share because I took an existing pattern and majorly hacked it in a fairly inexpert way.

Fabric: Rifle Paper Co. cotton lawn flamingoes

View as a List
  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 1
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 1

    The beginning of May in Indiana is generally still on the chilly side, so I started out the month with a handmade cardigan over a ready to wear (RTW) top and jeans.

    Pattern: Featherweight Cardigan by Hannah Fettig
    Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss Fingering

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 2
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 2

    The Southport maxi dress pattern is probably my most loved dress pattern. It has an effortless look and wearability, and I have to restrain myself from sewing one up with every fabric I buy.

    Pattern: Southport Dress by True Bias
    Fabric: Avery Slub Linen Blend from Shop La Mercerie in Rust

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 3
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 3

    This handmade sweater with RTW skirt is an easy comfy work outfit, still bridging the gap from cooler weather.

    Project blog post: Golden Hour Pullover

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 4
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 4

    I love this racerback tank so very much! I was really skeptical when I first made it but I wear it so often and am in the process of making more for myself and friends. It’s such a wonderful casual staple.

    Project blog post: Relaxed Racerback Knit Tank

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 5
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 5

    I didn’t wear Me Made, but did sew a couple of seams (and actually documented it!)

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 6
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 6

    The day after Cinco de Mayo with my bestie visiting for the weekend isn’t nearly as fun as the actual day, so I was all about easy comfort. This RTW knit dress paired with my handmade loose cardigan was exactly what I needed.

    Project blog post: Airy Ribbed Cardigan

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 7
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 7

    This dressssss. I worked so hard on this project (lots more to come about this in a future blog post) and I am so in love with it. On this particular day, I wore it because it was ideal for double duty during my workday followed by a fundraising event in the evening.

    Pattern: Orchid Midi Dress by Chalk and Notch
    Fabric: Rifle Paper Co. Happy Stripes cotton lawn

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 8
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 8

    This particular day was a tough workday, so I came home and put on my Me Made pajama shorts. This is another post in the works. I don’t actually wear the top pictured very often but I wear the shorts constantly. They are so incredibly comfy!

    Pattern: City Shorts by Purl Soho
    Fabric: Nani Iro Lei double gauze from Miss Matatabi

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 9
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 9

    I have gotten so much more wear out of this lovely top than I ever expected. Here I styled simply with RTW jeans and my fave gold shoes from Poppy Barley.

    Project blog post: Tie Front Top

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 10
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 10

    This flutter sleeve top is such an easy favorite to grab for pretty much any work day. Styled with my frequently worn RTW skirt!

    Project blog post: Flutter Sleeve Top

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 12
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 12

    This is a very happy mirror selfie of the day after I finished my Divide Pullover. It was perfect timing since we had yet another randomly cold May day (this was a weekend day, styled with jeans.)

    Project blog post: Divide Pullover

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 13
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 13

    Since the following day was a Monday and it was still cold out, I wore my new sweater again, styled with a RTW knit pencil skirt and favorite booties from Poppy Barley. LOVED this outfit so much.

    Project blog post: Divide Pullover

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 14
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 14

    This was another chilly day so I wore my beloved handmade cardigan over a RTW fit and flare dress for a super easy work outfit. Also, Caroline is rocking her Sprinkle Sweater!

    Pattern: Old Romance by Joji Locatelli
    Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 15
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 15

    A crazy busy day where I didn’t even have time for a mirror selfie so grabbed this one quickly while moving from one thing to the next. I adore this shirt dress and wearing it is a good reminder to make another soon!

    Pattern: Sew Over It Vintage Shirt Dress
    Fabric: Rifle Paper Co. Les Fleurs Metallic Queen Anne Navy

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 16
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 16

    Another Southport dress paired with a fluffy sweater for a day that started chilly but ended up hot. The sweater + dress combo is one I never used to think of, but really expands the possibilities of my wardrobe.

    Project blog post: Late Summer Maxi Dress
    Project blog post: Cumulus Blouse

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 17
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 17

    On a day when I knew I would have a ton of procedures at work and thus end up wearing scrubs all day, I added Me Made in the form of this Barrett bralette. It’s the first (and so far, only) undergarment I have sewn but definitely not my last. I have several more bra and panty kits at home that I need to get to. I am excited to grow these skills!

    Pattern: Barrett Bralette
    Materials: Barrett bralette kit

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 18
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 18

    I finished this dress during Me Made May and couldn’t wait to wear it! I absolutely adore how this turned out and I am excited to wear it through all the warm months and travels I have planned. Blog post about this one coming soon.

    Pattern: Orchid Midi Dress by Chalk and Notch
    Fabric: Rayon crepe from Indiesew (no longer available)

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 20
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 20

    After sewing two fairly involved dresses (both versions of the orchid midi), I needed what is sometimes referred to as a palate cleanser project – something that you can sew up quickly without much work. I wanted a light and breezy top that I could wear for work and at home, so I sewed up a quick Gemma Tank with peplum hack and I LOVE it.

    Pattern: Gemma Tank by Made by Rae with peplum hack
    Fabric: Atelier Brunette double gauze from Imagine Gnats

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 21
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 21

    This outfit ended up being by far my favorite of the month, because it was a completely unexpected and unplanned combo that I absolutely adored! Another mildly chilly day meant I wanted just a touch of extra warmth. I wore my Mira tee over a RTW midi dress with another pair of favorite booties.

    Pattern: Mira Tee by Elizabeth Smith via Quince and Co.
    Yarn: Quince and Co. Kestrel organic linen in whelk

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 22
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 22

    Repeat outfit on taco night (hence the margarita)!

    Pattern: Southport Dress by True Bias
    Fabric: Avery Slub Linen Blend from Shop La Mercerie in Rust

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 23
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 23

    This is a dress I don’t wear all that often and I’m not exactly sure why. I think it may be that when I made this, I was still relatively new to sewing knits and even though I do like the final product, I’m often focused on the flaws (real, perceived, or focused on WAY out of proportion). This outfit received rave reviews in real life and on social media, and showed me that I’m definitely my own worst critic. Even so, I want to get much more comfortable and practiced at sewing knit pieces.

    Pattern: Seamwork Moneta
    Fabric: cannot remember! Maybe a discontinued Cotton + Steel knit

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 24
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 24

    I dressed up my tie front top with my ever present white skirt, red heels and lipstick.

    Project blog post: Tie Front Top

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 25
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 25

    The Southport dress is out AGAIN, this time for warm spring date night with a lovely pair of dangly earrings from the incredibly talented Erin McDermott.

    Project blog post: Late Summer Maxi Dress

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 26
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 26

    Another finished item in May, and one I have worn nearly every day since! This robe in Liberty fabric is one I have been planning for approximately eight months and now that I have it, I wish I had made it the moment I dreamed it up. (Blog post coming soon.)

    Pattern: Suki Robe by Helen’s Closet
    Fabric: Liberty Tana Lawn (cannot find the exact print to link)

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 27
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 27

    Weekend hanging in my racerback tank! Just seeing these photos again makes me SO excited for the new one to hurry up and come off my needles!

    Project blog post: Relaxed Racerback Knit Tank

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 28
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 28

    Loved the combination of my flutter sleeve top with a RTW bright yellow skirt. Give me all the bright skirts!

    Project blog post: Flutter Sleeve Top

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 29
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 29

    The Mira tee for dinner out with my girlfriends, this time in the way I more typically style it – with RTW jeans, a white tank, and strappy sandals.

    Pattern: Mira Tee by Elizabeth Smith via Quince and Co.
    Yarn: Quince and Co. Kestrel organic linen in whelk

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 30
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 30

    Super smiley because I made it to almost the end of the month! My happy stripes dress again :)

    Pattern: Orchid Midi Dress by Chalk and Notch
    Fabric: Rifle Paper Co. Happy Stripes cotton lawn

  • Me Made May 2019 - Day 31
    Me Made May 2019 - Day 31

    I MADE IT! I wore Me Made at work that day too, but since I was going out for a family date, I wore this flamingo top with jean shorts and wedge heels. No real pattern to share because I took an existing pattern and majorly hacked it in a fairly inexpert way.

    Fabric: Rifle Paper Co. cotton lawn flamingoes

View as a Slideshow

This challenge was such a funny thing. I really didn’t know have any expectations of what I would get out of it, if anything at all. It ended up being an amazing learning experience and I have SO many take aways! Here are my reflections now on the other side of it:

  • I am capable of making excellent clothes for myself.
    This was probably the most important lesson or reminder that resulted from my experience. Learning how to make clothes is one thing, but knowing you can make clothes that fit well in fabrics you want to wear is entirely another. This learning curve can be uncomfortable (at times, literally), but consistently wearing the things I have made reminds me that my skills are strong and they are growing daily.
  • I am not a prolific sewist, and that is okay.
    Although the online sewing community is wildly inspiring and incredibly supportive, sometimes it feels like I’m just on the outskirts of it all given my demanding full time job and life as a mom of two kids. I only have time to sew a tiny fraction of what I constantly wish I was making. However, I’m embracing that this allows me to prioritize projects I am the most excited about, as well as embrace that I am probably a more sustainable sewist as a result of my limited time.
  • I mostly sew “frosting” and that is also okay.
    Frosting in the sewing world refers to dressier items like party dresses, fancy tops, etc. as opposed to basics like plain tee shirts or panties. While I hope to eventually become so accomplished that I can sew even the basics with ease, I also recognize that the very limited sewing time I discussed above means I should spend the time I do have making whatever I really want to make. Plus, the items I sew are very in keeping with my style and needs so they actually get the same wear as basics would.
  • I am not going to let one fiddly project ruin my sew-jo.
    Sew-jo (sewing mo-jo) is a real thing and one that I lost for a few months. I’ll be discussing this in great depth in an upcoming post but for now I’ll just say that Me Made May helped me get my sew-jo back in a major way. I pushed through the fiddly project had me so stuck, and realized that sometimes, a quick palate cleanser project is exactly what is needed. I finished three or four items and prioritized sewing for myself instead of for other people. I sewed most days and was planning projects in my mind constantly. Now my inspiration as well as my fabric and pattern stash are overflowing, and I am having so much fun with and gratitude for my sewing practice.
  • Making sewing a near daily practice is important to me.
    With so many other demands on my time, it has been so easy to let my sewing practice fall aside for months sometimes. While this certainly may happen again, I think this month of really focusing helped me realize how much joy and mental well being sewing brings into my life. My limited sewing time can be a stress at times because my mind plans projects at a rate I simply cannot accomplish, but now I realize the value of sewing just a seam or two a day and the joy even small progress brings me.
  • The holes in my sewing skill set and handmade wardrobe became abundantly clear.
    As anyone can see from these photos, I sew mainly dresses and shirts. I have only made a couple skirts which no longer fit due to weight gain, and I have never made pants or shorts. I definitely want to make these items eventually and now feel like I am becoming more practiced with muslins and fitting so I can sew bottoms I like. I think in the next 6-12 months I’ll start working on more bottom pieces. I definitely would like to sew more skirts since I clearly wear my RTW midi length skirts ALL.THE.TIME. I’m excited to grow these skills and the bottom half of my handmade wardrobe.
  • I really like wearing knits and want to feel fully comfortable sewing them.
    I have made many knit items (referring to sewing with knit fabric, not actually knitting here) and have been happy with them overall, but spending more time in and working on my handmade wardrobe means expecting a better quality finish in my handmade garments. I invested in a serger last summer and had a hard time getting the hang of it. I’m still learning but I am hopeful that this will allow me to become proficient in sewing knit pieces that I truly love and allow me to make even more wearable pieces for my daily life. I have a few projects on the horizon to flex and grow these skills so hopefully they work out!
  • I hope you enjoyed reading about my first Me Made May experience. I’m already excited to take off with the momentum this has given me, and also looking forward to seeing how next year compares to this one. Happy making, friends!