Monday, June 6, 2016

First Newsletter with Moving Sale


Well Sewists my move is your gain. I'm offering a flash sale. Everything in my Etsy shop is 50% off with the coupon code enclosed in this email: http://eepurl.com/b4AG2D

It just happens to be the first edition of my newsletter. I do not know how often I will be sending them out, only when I have announcements of new inventory or cool sales and such and this first one turned out pretty well since I am moving. So you should subscribe so you always know! Plus you'll get lots of other gems like how life is like dirty dishes! :)

The sale will run through Wednesday. I am frantically adding fabric and other goodies as quickly as I can so there should be lots to choose from. A bunch of rayons went up this morning and hopefully I'll get to the linen this evening.

I hope you'll be able to find something that interests you! Please spread the word!
SaveSave

Friday, June 3, 2016

MMM 2016 Reflections

Me-Made-May is over again! I kept data of what I wore even though I did not take any photos of my daily outfits. Too much stress.

The winner of the most worn award: Espresso Leggings by Cake Patterns!
I have two pair in cotton and two pair in wool. They are red and navy. The navy wool pair made the month with 6 wears but all together leggings were worn 12 times.

Unglamorous photo, I know.. but they are leggings...


Next up: Dresses! I really like dresses and wore them 15 days out of the month. Here are photos of a few of the most worn pieces.
My 50's dress. I really need to make some more of this style. I love it so much.
Hippie Bus Curtain dress wins the "Worn The Most Consecutive Days"Award
Burgundy Eliana won the "Interview Dress" award

Brings me the most joy!!! 

There was only one day I did not wear any Me Mades and I wore store-bought pieces 12 times over the month. These were mostly cardigans or sweaters. The other wears were solid tops with a printed skirt... remember this Emily!!! You wear solids! 

I really like wearing skirts and dresses. They are more comfortable and easy wearing. I do like my trousers for traveling and pockets though. Looking at my notes, I need to do some work on undergarments. I could use a short slip and some tanks. And a new floaty summer nightgown! 

I have a couple special projects that have been on the back burner for awhile that I plan on working on but since I am in the process of moving and I'm not sure what the new needs of my life will be, I am putting most of my garment sewing on hold...

I need to get my business newsletter off the ground and hopefully find some good craft shows to market my wares so I think I am going to direct my creative energies that direction.

Any great revelations for you this MMM? Any advice on moving the sewing room? Space is premium and I'm dithering on what to pack?!!?!

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge: The Dresses

Enter the absolute frivolous part of this challenge! I picked up this sheer cream with silver squares at a thrift store? Either that or the fabric fairies dropped it off on the way by. I knew it was an impractical piece but it paired perfectly with a very gathered vintage dress pattern I had. This pattern was such a hog I had to take a wedge out of the back and front to get it to fit on the yardage I had. It worked up just as I imagined though. Swishy and light. You must wear it with a belt though otherwise it looks like I'm swallowed up in dirty clouds.

And you can't really see the silver squares but that's ok.. they are there and sparkly in real life.

My next dress was supposed to be a lovely wool that would be warm to wear to school. Alas it got thrown to the wayside one morose Sunday afternoon when I picked up this happy floral. I took the top of the Staple dress pattern and gathered a large rectangle to the waist line. Since I did french seams it sits a bit higher than I prefer but since I'm always going to be wearing it with a belt, which covers everything, it is all good. I took the time to add pockets so this is now one of my favorite pieces in the whole bunch! I wore it Easter Sunday and felt lovely. I will be wearing it again as soon as I fix the random tear that developed along the bodice.

So that is my new happy wardrobe which is definitely pining for spring and summer weather!
You can see the other pieces of my collection here: Tops, Bottoms, Jacket

Capsule Wardrobe Challenge: The Bottoms

For the challenge we were required to make two bottoms. I had this sparkly stretch denim and brown corduroy earmarked for trousers forever! I think I counted they have been on my To Sew list for four years.

For the sparkle denim I used my new favorite trouser pattern, the Endeavor from Cake Patterns. These are wonderful to put together. Steph drafts the pattern so you can immediately make it the correct length and also makes it easy to adjust for width. Plenty of room for shaping it to whatever shape your backside may be. With a side zipper it is familiar to install and faster than a fly front. I do put in a lapped zipper instead of the invisible one the pattern calls for. It does tend to be more
noticeable but it is what I have on hand. Stashbust those zippers!


One of my favorite parts about making pants is choosing fun linings and pocket bags. I really like the remnants I got to use up for these.

My corduroy trousers are a hack from the Maritime Shorts pattern. I'm not sure if I've got the leg lengthened exactly right but maybe it is just because the corduroy is softer than my first version in twill. They are soft and comfy and will pass for my work casual wardrobe.

I have been wearing the denim non stop and loving them. I was slightly worried the leg would feel too wide but it doesn't. I also get lots of compliments from strangers so I take this for a good sign. You have to really like something to comment to a stranger.

I'm considering this a success in my closet and in my stash!