Me Made May 2019

4 Comments / Sewing Talk
How My Handmade Wardrobe Helped Me Tell Stories of Healing, Humor, and Hot Dates

Me Made May is an annual month-long challenge in the online sewing community that is hosted by Zoe Edwards of So Zo, What Do You Know. The challenge encourages anyone who wants to participate to do so in whatever way works best for them. Sewists can set their own goal, whether it be wearing, making, mending, or other sewing-related fun during the month of May each year. May 1st means sewists are coming in hot with beautiful kick-offs on Instagram and it really sets the tone for a lovely, cheery, stylish month.

But I couldn’t….so I didn’t.

And I told the truth about it. May 1st is the anniversary of my Mom’s passing. It’s the hardest day of the year. Putting on bells and whistles and proclaiming my colorful goals for Me Made May felt really off. I was gentle on myself both in how I approached this goal, and what I chose to wear.

My goal is to wear what I love when I like and to tell the truth about it.

These first couple of days were all about healing. I wore the Hudson Pants by True Bias that my husband lovingly sewed for me for a Valentine’s Day gift. I wore his waffle knit shirt, and I kept my vintage Woolrich coat handy because my house felt too cold when we returned home from Southern California the day prior. Most importantly though, I was able to finally open up to those outside my circle on why and how I started sewing.

I taught myself on my mom’s sewing machine in the months after she passed. She was diagnosed in January of 2017 with terminal cancer, and passed away on May 1st, just a few months later. There was and is a giant hole in my heart that I don’t think will ever heal. Grief is crazy, and everyone tries consoling with whatever words resonate with them when it comes to grief. For me, I’m in the middle of a black hole where light and the ability to explain it just can’t escape for others to see, so it’s impossible to try. The grief hasn’t diminished, but my ability to deal with it has improved with time. That’s where sewing comes in.

After I shared my experience losing my mom with my sewing friends online, I was inspired on the second day to mend one of her cashmere sweaters that was covered with moth holes. I had her sweater in my closet just to touch and think of her, but now that I’ve mended it, it’s a wonderfully healing hug when I get to wear it.

  • Pledge to tell the truth in husband-made Hudson Pants
  • Mended Mom’s sweater so I can feel her hugs again.

These first two days of May opened some floodgates of story telling, sharing more about my daily life and thoughts. For the other outfits (and links to all the sewing patterns) that I’ve worn through May, take a look at the other lessons I’ve learned in style, comfort, and romance ~ ooh lala!

Love Life Got Lit!

My greatest “Thank You” to Me Made May is for putting a spark under my tail and getting our love life back en fuego. I have a few nice dresses, but not many dresstinations (!!) so I put them to work and we set up some nice date nights. Why the hell should I wait for a ‘special occasion’ to pull some of these handmade dresses out? We had a couple of really lovely nights out, and explored parts of our city that we haven’t before. I wore a deep purple sand-washed rayon Orchid x Parasol Dress which is a collaboration between Chalk and Notch and Ensemble Patterns. I also wore my sand-washed silk Kielo Wrap Dress by Named Patterns. My husband got in on the action with his McCalls Patterns M6044 shirt and Modified Morgan Jeans in raw denim. See more details on those Morgan Jeans for a Man here.

  • Orchid x Parasol Midi Dress by Chalk and Notch x Ensemble Patterns
  • Kielo Wrap Dress, M6044 and Morgan Jeans.
  • Photo shoots are silly but worth it when you GET THE MONEY SHOT
Sewists Who Ride Bikes Rule

I love to sew, but I also love to ride my bike. Got to share a little more about this other part of my life through wearing some handmade for my bike rides. I had some pretty annoying tan lines so I tried biking in my low back Nettie Bodysuit, but that was all in vain because it turned cloudy on cold on my ride. I should have ridden with coochie tails out! What are those called, btw? I also biked in my mustard Cone Mills denim Lander Shorts with my “Ride Like You’re from Minneapolis” tee. Finally, I made a sports bra! I used the Cottesloe Swimsuit Pattern and adapted it for athletic wear. It’s the most comfortable sports bra I’ve ever had. Read more about that project here!

  • Nettie Bodysuit by Closet Case Patterns
  • Coochie Tails OUT. No snaps.
  • Lander Shorts by True Bias
  • Cottesloe Sports Bra by Megan Nielsen Patterns
Love for Mustard and Teal Together

Mustard + Teal: pretty much sums it up. I have this jewel toned teal knit RTW top, and I never thought to pair it with my mustard skirts until exploring outfit combos during Me Made May. It’s one of the beautiful things in this challenge: discovering something new and juicy with what you already have!

  • Refashioned a RTW dress into this skirt
  • Seamwork Leonora Skirt
Love of White and Cream

Since I’ve started sewing, I’m drawn more and more to white and very light neutral colors. I’m becoming more like my Mom, because she always looked wonderful in white. I think it’s worth the risk (I love wine, coffee, chocolate donuts, etc.) I don’t abide by any rules that say you can only wear certain colors during certain seasons; my only rule is that people shouldn’t wear ridiculous stilettos in the Minnesota snow. I’m not afraid to say I will passive-aggressively judge the shit out of those who do.

  • Ginger Jeans by Closet Case Patterns
  • Inari Tee by Named and Philippa Pants by Anna Allen
  • Seamwork Neenah Dress, Fennel Fanny Pack
  • Ogden Cami by True Bias with Esther Pants by Victory Patterns
  • Kalle Shirt by Closet Case Patterns
  • Esther Pants by Victory Patterns. Holding a Jacket by In The Folds (pattern release later on)
Love of Overalls

These are a couple of pieces that I need to remind myself to pull out more often. The navy linen Jenny Overalls have a detachable bib, and it’s one of my proudest makes in terms of problem solving an idea to success. Read more on those detachable bib overalls here. The brown ones are not detachable, but they are made of heavy Carhartt canvas and they instantly make me feel like I gotta be getting shit done when I’m wearing them.

  • Jenny Overalls by Closet Case Patterns
  • Bibs off: Jenny Trousers and Taos top by
    Threadbear Garments
  • Jenny Overalls in Carhartt canvas
Love of Comfy

The Me Made May challenge revealed that without a doubt I am in love with being comfy. I work from home with people abroad, so I’ve got web meetings on a daily basis. I could dress in all biz-casual for the sake of taking a nice photo, but my pledge was to tell the truth. My truth is business on the top, cozy-party on the bottom. On any average day, I’m keeping it comfy all day.

  • Web meeting uniform: Kalle shirt on top, RTW zubaz leggings
  • Jordy Bralette by Emerald Erin Sews with RTW lougewear
  • Date Night Hangover: Silk Robe Simplicity 5786
  • Vogue 9028 Turtleneck sweatshirt in Soy French Terry, RTW Leggings
  • Post-bike-ride: Nettie Dress a la commando (by Closet Case Patterns)
Overall Theme of the Month: Honest Casual

If I had to sum up my personal style, which is still something I’m working out, I’d have to say it’s “Honest-Casual.” This month, I learned some great lessons in being honest, transparent, and vulnerable. I try to keep my look on the casual side most of the time. Even with my date night dresses above, I add a denim jacket or even sneakers to dress it down. I feel more like my authentic self.

  • Chambray Ogden Cami with Ginger Jeans
  • Archer Shirt by Grainline Studio and altered shorts
  • Philippa Pants by Anna Allen
  • Refashioned Kalle
    and Lander Pants
  • Peppermint Jumpsuit by In the Folds
  • Philippa Pants by Anna Allen
  • Hacked Lander Carpenter Pants
    and vintage Wrangler top
  • Refashioned Kalle shirt with Seamwork Moji Pants

Thank you, friends, for following along during Me Made May. What a special community this is! Thanks for allowing me to tell the truth through the handmade clothes I love!

4 thoughts on “Me Made May 2019”

  1. Cindy

    Dresstination! How has that not been a thing before now?

    Thanks for opening up about your mom. My mother died almost 6 1/2 years ago, and not only do I think of her all the time, I especially think of her when I sew. So grateful for the ability to continue to connect with her in that way.

    Reply
  2. Julie

    All of your makes are really lovely and so inspiring! But you look especially beautiful in your white and cream… what a gift from your momma. Blessings to you as you find your new way, and good idea, fixing the sweater. Hugs help so much.

    Reply

Leave a Reply