Me Made March Day 31

It's finally here!  Oh thank goodness!  I know I shouldn't feel relieved and even feel a little ashamed for it but I'm so glad it's April tomorrow.  I really enjoyed this challenge in the support I got from the flickr group and all the commenter's on here but since I still new to sewing in comparison to a lot of people and find it hard to sew for long periods I found it frustrating towards the end.  It's just that since this challenge has caused a few UFOs and disasters it meant that I had to repeat a lot and a lot sooner than I'd hoped.  So here's my final Me Made March photo and it's a good one!

Me made lotus tunic and me made cord Burda skirt Me made star jump!

And an out take:

How blurry am I??

I did try for an artsy shot with the felt flowers I've been making falling down but they didn't show up in the photos, poo.

Oh well, I've learned a lot.  I need to sew more.  I need to not set myself deadlines as it kills my enjoyment.  I need to enjoy it more!!!!!  So, roll on the next Me Made Month!  I must need to check into a well upholstered room with a very tight white jacket...

Me Made March Day 29

Ok so today feels like it's been a long old slog to get this far in MMM, the top I wanted to wear today is un-salvageable as a top so I think I'll just buy another metre of fabric and make the whole dress as there's not enough fabric left to fix it.  I thought of making something else but right now I'm all worn out, especially since when I was looking through the Burda magazines I have and realised that I needn't have faffed about with the top of the dress trying to make it into a top as there was a top there exactly the same!  Aaarrrggghhh! 

I thought it was just for stretchy fabric only so I dismissed it until I thought of making a top with that remnant of jersey I got yesterday.  Maybe I need to finish that floral dress as I've taken the skirt part off it and now need to reattach it again, only thing is it's just too nice to wear to work and there's no more weekends in March.  Poo.  And don't suggest I have a day off, it's just far too tempting as it is!! ;)

In other nicer news I got my new glasses today! Yay!  Freebie!  So I decided to do a bit of 'Vogue-ing' to show them off:

Me looking a tit trying to show off my shiny new glasses

They're mainly black with red on the edges, not that you can see in the photo unfortunately.  Here's the outfit in full, it's boring as you've seen it before, but I still look a tit trying to make you all laugh.

full shot of purple cord skirt me made, everything else is either shop bought or gifted apart from the screen of course

Oh well two days left and I already know what I'm wearing Friday.  Need to decide whether I'm going to get new fabric for the Horrock's dress or use the fabric in my stash that I've been thinking about....hmmmm

Me Made March Day 26

We tried very hard today to get a picture of me on Blorenge Mountain today but it just didn't happen.  Then we got stuck in a big traffic jam and ended up on a slightly frustrating magical mystery tour that took us to the back of beyond and here again.  So just a boring old photo of me in the garden, although the sun is going in and it's threatening to rain!  Boo Hiss!  On a side note Blorenge is the only word to rhyme with orange despite all the English teachers I ever had telling me orange didn't have a rhyming word, according to the lovely Mr Stephen Fry and the QI elves.

Me wearing me made lotus top, me made cord skirt and my favourite shoes, notice I'm using the pockets in my skirt!

You all must be getting sick of me wearing this top but I had to put it with the grey cord skirt as I really like grey and yellow together.  I'm only sorry I don't have any yellow or grey shoes...I do have silver strappy sandals but they're a bit dressy and I don't think the orange/pink shoes go too badly (coming from someone who's very happy to wear pink and red together that might sound strange...!)

Had a really good haul from an Oxfam charity shop today!  Got two ENORMOUS soft cotton sheets for 99p!  And I got about a metre of dark blue fabric with what looks like daffodils to me on it for £1.99.  Score!  I also treated myself to some metal zips in various colours and sizes and a big green plastic zip for the bag I'll be making for my sister with this fabric.

From left, about a metre of dark blue fabric with daffodil print, two I'd say king size cotton sheets one white one cream both with the same pattern of green flowers and almost heart shape leaves

Selection of zips, four metal one plastic

The metal zips were good value as they were 50p each as the shop seemed to be trying to get rid of all their metal zips for some reason.  I like metal zips on skirts, they're more durable and you can make more of a feature out of them if you want.

In other news, I signed up to the Sew Weekly Sewing Circle and it appears it was just in time as the UK members are trying to organize a meet up in London in May that they've invited me to, with a colour theme and maybe even a dress if all of us can make one in time!  Need to check out the train times and cost, but I'm not sure I can resist a visit to the V&A with like minded people followed by fabric shopping and tea and cake!  I've been thinking about what flat shoes I have that will enable my feet to last all day...a good sign I'm probably going so I'd better start saving my pennies too.

What exciting news have you got to share?  Found anything new?

Me Made March Day 25

How lovely and sunny was it today!  Yay!  And just for good measure I managed to bag a THREE DAY WEEKEND!!!!!  WooooooOooooooo!  Just to prove how sunny it was there are sun stripes on my outfit shot...and *gasp* I'm not wearing boots!  Sadly my David Bailey stand in didn't get my shoes in the shot, it's especially sad as they're lovely and had nice comments about them all day.

Me made green skirt with little flowers, Monsoon pink t-shirt with cowl neck and me made necklace

I have to make a top like this one as I've almost worn it to death and can't bear to get rid of it.  It means buying jersey but at least Raystitch have a sale on!  Yay!  I feel a fabric buying splurge coming on...

Think I really need to take the floral dress apart and sew the skirt on better as it's nearly the end of this wonderful journey of MMM and I'm wondering what to do next.  Any suggestions? ;)

Me Made March Day 24

So here it is!  Cord skirt with front pleat and pockets, lined and done in one evening...well did have to finish the lining hem this morning at 06.30 so I could wear it to work without bits of thread hanging down... ;)

Me wearing me made grey jumbo cord skirt with front pleat and pockets lined with sunshine yellow (sorry you can't see it), purple top shop bought, purple tights and grey boots, me made necklace, earrings and bracelet shop bought or present.

I'm really happy with the skirt as it's cord and it's fab, but the front pleat may need some more work as it's not quite sitting right in this photo and noticed I needed to adjust it a few times, maybe some interfacing or some starch or more ironing will work.

And just because it shows how happy I am in this skirt:

Me with a big grin as it's grey jumbo cord! ;)

Loving the sunshine too and the clocks go forward this weekend, so more sunshine to enjoy when I get home of an evening but boo hiss to loosing an hours sleep! 

Me Made March Day 23

Feeling a little repetitive so going to try and make a skirt in an evening tonight from that lovely grey cord I got one the weekend. Also picked up the new Burda magazine today so may see what inspires me as still working on that self drafted top and I'm just not feeling it right now.

Here's my outfit for today, as you can see the Fizz cat gets more annoyed as the photos progress, she's not keen on being picked up but wanted a fuss while the photos were being taken so she was fair game!

Me wearing me made clothkits skirt, grey vest top and grey satin wrap top, grey tights and boots and holding the not too happy Fizz

Same outfit but Fizz is trying to escape...going

Going...gone!  Fizz and me in an action shot where she's about to launch herself out of my grip in disgust at being picked up!

Well, better stop procrastinating and get on with some sewing.  The bag for my sewing buddy only needs a few finishing touches now and it looks good even if I do say so myself!  Really happy with how it's turning out.

Hope all your projects are going well!

Me Made March Day 21

The photo today was taken a bit quick before the light went as was late getting in.  It's the Burda skirt I made with the pockets, the pattern for which I think I'll use for the grey cord I bought on the weekend.  I like this skirt but wondering whether the extra bit of plain off white cotton is wrong or too long or whether I should go with my initial thinking which was to embroider some flowers on it...urgh I so indecisive sometimes!

Me wearing me made Burda skirt in green and brown and blue with off white band at the bottom, shop bought light blue top and grey DMs as usual!

I do honestly own lots of pairs of shoes, but I hate having cold feet and am feeling a bit 'meh' towards wearing heels so flat boots are my go to thing.  I did actually wear some pretty shoes on the weekend to a party, but forgot to take a picture as it wasn't a me made outfit.

Really need to get stuck into some sewing as need to finish my bag for my lovely sewing buddy as she's emailed me to say she's almost finished mine!  Eeep!  Also want to get on with that top I drafted over the weekend and cut out.  Feel like I'm running to catch up, but in a good way as want to reach the end!

Me Made March Day 19

I know I'm a bit late but I was busy yesterday and just didn't find the time to post until now.  I went out shopping and got some lovely finds and then came home and went for a walk then relaxed listening to a new cd for a bit, started working on a new top that I've drafted myself and then got ready and went out for a party.  Phew.  Glad that's over with as was rather a full day! ;)

I got inspired when we went for our walk yesterday and got J to take my picture when we passed this brick making factory near where we live.  I love how everything around it is brick coloured and think it really makes the colours of my outfit stand out, as there are a few...

Me outside the brickworks wonky gates wearing me made green skirt with small flowers, shop bought bright pink silk top, pinky/purple tights, grey boots and my favourite kermit green raincoat

It was such a nice day I wanted to go for a wander along the river near where we lived and as I saw a bridge I had to cross it and see what was on the other side.  It lead us to a tunnel and I said I felt like Chihiro in Spirited Away and didn't know whether we should go through the tunnel!  I'm glad I did as it lead us to the brickworks and so I got my photo for the day.  It's getting boring taking pictures against a white background...as you can tell white is really against my nature as I try and wear as many colours as possible all at once!

And so onward and upwards, when we got back I had a bit of a snooze as wasn't intending on doing any sewing as knew I'd have to pack up and get ready to go out in a few hours, however, that snooze time was inspirational and got me thinking about the new fabric I bought.  Here's my haul from yesterday:

5 metres of bright pink ricrac, burgundy crushed velour, pink lining remnant, brown lining remnant

Guess where this lot is from! ;)  I was rummaging in the remnant bin again to see what I could find and scored two pieces of lining one pink one brown to use for bags and purses and then I discovered this lovely crushed velour in burgundy.  I nearly passed on it as it's a winter fabric, but as it was marked down and I do have a think for velour and velvet (going to have to look up the difference as not sure if there is one) and it's in the colour of a dress I used to own that made me feel like Jessica Rabbit, I had to have it.  There's enough I think to make a slim fitted dress, although I think it'll be interesting to sew with as it's got a bit of a stretch to it.  In some respects this fabric shopping trip was a disaster as my intention was to buy some cotton jersey to make some t-shirt like tops with but it was all really rather expensive so I chickened out!

Then since I had failed to score jersey in John Lewis I decided the market was my next best option as there's a well stocked fabric stall there....

grey metal zip, yellow lining, grey jumbo cord, peacock green cotton

Whoops!  Yeah, again no jersey but managed to buy some pretty pretty grey jumbo cord, peacock green cotton and yellow lining and a zip....I'm guessing I'm going to have to bite the bullet and just order jersey online!  The green cotton has started to be transformed into a wrap top based on the top I made from the Burda dress shown here.  The jumbo cord will make a lovely skirt and the zip and sunny yellow lining will be used for that skirt.  I'm thinking of using the skirt pattern I used for this one as really want another skirt with pockets, but am thinking of making the pockets a bit smaller as they seem enormous.

It's such a lovely sunny day today, it's almost a shame to stay in and sew, yeah I know not like me to put off sewing when I'm in the mood but we get sunny days so rarely on a weekend!  Hope I can do a bit of both, outside enjoying sunshine and indoors sewing...and no I won't be taking my sewing machine outside to sew to do both at the same time! ;)

Today's outfit post will be later as still undecided as to what to wear.  Hope you're all having a lovely weekend!

Me Made March Day 18

Now it may be that it's a full moon tonight, but more probably it's because it's Red Nose Day and it was 'do something funny for money' time, although I'm not getting paid...but I did donate to RND, that I did this interesting pose:

Me made purple cord skirt with shop bought top, tights and boots and me made necklace, pose was me made by the way...

We had some fun in work as we all wore something red and there were games and prizes, I won a toblerone!  Yay! 

Hope you like the pose, was getting a little self concious smiling nicely in all the time and so as I was feeling like 'Thank Crunchy it's Friday'!

And just for an extra bit of fun, if you flash quickly back and forth between these two pictures you can almost see me moving! ;)

Arms and legs halfway raised

Arms and legs raised and waving wildly like a crazy thing!

Ah well, it gave you all a giggle even if it wasn't a new outfit!  Hope you've all had a good day, here's to the weekend! ;)

Me Made March Day 15

Last night I managed to whip up an a-line cord skirt, it's unlined at the moment but I'm thinking of lining it as I think it needs it.  I'm sorry that I'm blinking in the picture but I didn't realise until now and I'm in my pjs so I'm not going to do a retake sorry! ;)

Me made purple cord skirt, silk top gifted to me by my sister with a blue satin sash as the top is a bit big so it kind of looks like a kimono top

I'm loving the colour of this cord, it''s so rich and deep a colour and love that it goes with this top as it's one of my favourites.  I left it unlined as really wanted to have something different to show off for MMM.  I've tried to make another lotus cami, I know know I need to find another top pattern but this was already cut out and needs to be finished.  It's about halfway done but after finding I'd sewn the facings wrong I lost the will to sew any more tonight.  My concentration is at a minimum as have some stressful times ahead...ho hum, it's the way things go and hopefully will be over before I know it! ;)

Me Made March Day 11

So here's something else you've seen before but with a different top.  I did have a photo taken from a colleague in work, but think she needs to put her specs on when she takes photos as it was rather blurry!  Whoops!  That'll teach me for not checking it more closely!  So here's a hasty pic of me with my cuppa as there was no way in hell I was putting my bucket of tea down before I'd finished it today as it was long awaited!

Me wearing clothkits skirt, pink cowl neck top and purple bolero taking picture in mirror sipping my bucket of tea!

I really love the pattern on this skirt and am umming and aaahhhing over whether to buy some more from clothkits as they're having a 3 for 2 thing for their birthday...but they are rather pricey and could get some similar fabric and make things myself for cheaper now I know a bit more...but still...hmmm.

Hoping to be back to sewing tomorrow as have the day to myself as J is working all day - boo hiss!  but yay!  for sewing!  I've kept a notebook with me all week drawing out rough pictures of what clothes I want to make next using what fabrics in my stash.  I've also been thinking about what fabric to use for the bag I'm making for my sewing buddy and am sooooo excited!  I keep forgetting to tell you all I have a sewing buddy as we keep nattering over email so much!  I'll tell you all more later....

Me Made March Day 10

As predicted it's something you've seen before.  I am really growing to love this skirt, at first I wasn't convinced and it was a bit too big, but after taking it in and wearing it more as it's good to go with patterns as it's plain I'm thinking it's a keeper!  Here's a better picture of it as all the others have been in rubbish light.

Me made cord skirt with ric rac, t-shirt and favourite spangley cardi (it's glittery and love the sleeves) very patterned tights that you can't really see and good ole Dr Martens (I live in boots in winter)

I got let out of work early for good behaviour today, well it was a case of the offer was there and I said 'sod it' to my flexi as I'd rather go into debit and buy fabric than stay in work!  It turned out to be rather fortuitous as I got two metres of lovely Cadbury's colour purple cotton that I'm thinking will be a dress and some funky bright pink buttons in the shape of flowers that I'm thinking of using on another lotus cami as they're just so darn nice to make.  AND while there I thought I'd enquire as to whether they would have any cotton jersey in stock any time soon to be told they were moving to a bigger spot in the market and getting lots and lots more fabric, there was an audible gasp from the other shoppers (it's a REALLY small shop/stall and have to get very intimate with the other shoppers) as it means more loveliness!  OooooOOOoooo! ;)

Anyway, I need to go check on the chicken stock I'm making...and get the tea on the go.  Thanks to everyone for the lovely comments to wish my back better soon, I'm really touched.

Me Made March Day 9

I made a skirt in one evening with lining, facings and zipper and am so proud of myself as think the fit is good and love the pattern of the fabric.  So because I was so happy to have something to wear and wanted to remain cheerful for the rest of the day, I've dressed rather brightly...sunglasses at the ready:

Me wearing me made skirt in green with white flowers that have different colour centres, the brightest blue top I own and matching tights

I've been scuppered tonight by an uncooperative bobbin and pain in my back.  I'm thinking a trip to the chiropractor may be in order in the near future if I can't fix it myself...darn it.  Good thing is, I've converted her to sewing!  My evil plan is working...wahahahahahahaha!

So I think I'll just recycle something already worn, I also have handmade bags and an apron....goodness I'm scraping the barrel!  I do have lots of ideas for other things to make from my stash, but they will have to wait until I've become pain free.

Me Made March Day 8

I had to rope a different work victim, ahem, I mean colleague into taking my picture today.  Wasn't having a good day so sorry I don't look as cheerful as normal.

Me made skirt with Primark t-shirt and bolero from Zara I think many years ago. Necklace same me made one posted last week.

This is a Burda pattern skirt with an added panel at the bottom as it's just a bit too short for me otherwise, more about this on this post. 

The Sound of Music skirt didn't quite happen, well, it got made but I hated it so it's going to be taken apart and reborn as a different style of skirt.  As I'm panicking that I won't have anything to wear tomorrow I'm hastily making another A-line skirt from the fabulous green fabric I got on the weekend pictured here.

If you're participating in Me Made March are you running out of clothes yet?  Are you hastily sewing like me?  Please tell me I'm not the only one who's badly under prepared?  Are we allowed to double up or anything?  Eeeck!

Burda skirt

I really liked the look on this skirt in the Burda Style magazine and thought I'd give it a go.

Lady from Burda magazine wearing a lemon yellow top and grey skirt holding onto a red bicycle

Drawing of pattern for skirt, I chose view 120 A as didn't want the MASSIVE pockets on the one next to it

I used the 100% cotton I got from the market yesterday, sadly they only had less than a metre left so knew it was going to be a squeeze to get the pattern out of it.  Thankfully I was surprised to find that I could squeeze it all out, but when I tried it on before hemming it I realised that unless I wanted to sew knickers to show off to the world, I needed to make it longer!  I've added on a plain off white strip to the bottom which I think works, but am wondering about whether to embroider similar flowers onto it or whether that might make it too kitsch?  Any thoughts?

I don't have a little helper today so the pictures are me holding the camera to the mirror so they aren't the best!

Me holding the camera wearing a green t-shirt and a 70's style floral print green and brown skirt with box pleat at the front and an off white band at the bottom

I really like the slightly 70's print on this skirt, and if you haven't noticed by now I do seem to have a thing for florals!

A very over exposed close up of the skirt

I can't seem to get the flash right on this camera, but at least you can see the colours and pattern, just put on some sunglasses! ;)

Another over exposed one but showing the side view of skirt close up

Can you just see the pocket?  I had to make one side of the pocket in the off white poly cotton as I didn't have enough of the patterned cotton to make both sides of both pockets in it unfortunately.  I love skirts with pockets but these ones are a little on the large size so may need to make some adjustments if I find them getting in the way when I wear it.

One more front on view as obviously couldn't work out how to take a picture of the back of me as have no idea how to use the timer on this thing.  I really should take lessons.  In any case I'm just so darn proud of the pleat at the front...I just wonder how long it's going to last...

I've been a busy little bunny

This week I decided that I would make at least one of the two tops I wanted to make from the Amy Butler Lotus pattern and a skirt from the lovely orange tree print fabric.  I also decided that I wanted to wear at least one piece of handmade clothing each day, my work mates joined in by trying to guess which item of clothing I'd made.

I finished the yellow top Wednesday night so a few hasty photos were taken:

It's got a lot tighter fit than the first one I made as it's a heavier cotton it just didn't look right left how I did this one.  I really feel like I'm not doing the clothes justice taking pictures indoors and at night, but I just get so excited about putting pictures up on here!  Think I need to take the clothes and myself and a little helper to take pictures somewhere nice with a bit of sun...you may need to wait a few months.  Although to be fair it was very sunny today.

I feel I look slightly like a Girl Guide in these colours, but it wasn't the top I was wearing with the skirt all day and I teamed the yellow top with a lovely yellow and pink thin stripe skirt for work the next day.  Was pleased that my workmates thought I'd made the skirt as it was from Monsoon, my favourite high street shop (especially when they have a sale).

And then because I was running out of handmade clothes and only had my lovely pink woodland skirt left and don't really want to wear it to work as think it's too pretty, so I made a skirt in an evening!  One evening.  From about 6pm to 10.30pm, I did stop for dinner for about 30 minutes.  I really shocked myself, but damn, I was determined!

I need to take it in a bit, I don't know why but whenever I've made a skirt it's fine once I've finished sewing it and try it on, but when I iron it before wearing it it suddenly becomes enormous and needs taking in...why oh why?  Does anyone else experience this weird force of sewing physics?

I changed the design of this skirt though from the woodland one by putting the zip in the side and put satin binding between the main skirt piece and the waist band.

Apologies for the crap lighting, it's been a long day at work for both me and my boyfriend and it's dark, cold and raining outside.  If it's sunny tomorrow, I'll take some (hopefully) sunny pictures tomorrow.  If I'm not sick of the Lotus pattern I'll finish the orange top over the weekend, but think my next project will be to make an emerald green blouse from a Burda magazine pattern.  I think I should get bonus points for making this as the fabric has been in my stash for about a year but was in my sister's stash I would imagine since the early 1990's as it was when she was a student and first tried her hand at sewing!

I've also crocheted a cowl as want to get a stock together to start selling things at craft fairs and hopefully set up an online shop, but more of that in a later post.

I'm off for a glass of wine and a sit down and wait for TrueBlood to start...ah Eric...

Ta daa!

Finished the skirt I had for my birthday from Clothkits...ok so I'm a little late as wanted to get it done to be able to wear it for Christmas, but hey-ho.  I'm really pleased with it and am saving wearing it for the weekend.  I cheated slightly with the lining as I didn't hem it separately, but incorporated it into the hem of the main skirt fabric.  Now, I may live to regret this but it seemed a really good idea at the time when I wanted to get it finished and it was rather late, hence the interesting ensemble I'm wearing.  I feel I should apologise for the socks, but when I went to take them off I realised I had even worse sock lines!

So, that's one more thing off the list!

I started cutting out the tunic from the Amy Butler pattern, took me nearly 3 hours...I had breaks, but wow, that took a long time!  Going to start sewing it tomorrow, as I have the day off I'm going to sew for as long as I can and see if I can finish it in a day - wish me luck!

Look what I made all by myself!

I've actually made a garment that is not only finished but *gasp* wearable!  And to prove it I wore it out before taking pictures so you can see the creases where I sat down in the car and everything! ;)

It's dark blue pin cord with lilac ric rac to add a bit of interest.

As you can see it's been worn and sat in today!  Wanted to check that it was wearable as it's a smidge too big and am deciding whether to take it in or not at the seams or to do darts and be really adventurous!  Here's proof that I even lined it as I had some pretty purple lining that I found in a John Lewis remnant bin (I love remnant bins!) and it was just the right size for this skirt.

A little post watershed I know, but wanted to show you proof that I actually lined it, I'm so proud of myself for achieving this!  This is my trial run for the Clothkits skirt I posted about earlier as I had some pattern paper I copied the skirt pattern to try it out on the pin cord.  I'd been saving the pin cord waiting to pluck up the courage to make an A line skirt with it, and even bought some in purple too but they have been languishing in my stash for weeks.  I think I'll leave the purple one for a little bit as want to get the 'proper' skirt done first now I know how simple and easy the instructions are and that I can be a little more trusting of their seam allowances.  As you can see I'm slightly larger than a size 10 and therefore distrust anything until I've tried it on as it either won't fit or won't suit me, so now I know it really is the size it says it is!  A whole new wardrobe of handmade clothes by me might be in order, I'm off to trawl for Amy Butler fabrics....ahhhhhhhh!