Me Made May 2014 Roundup

This was my second year participating in Me Made May organised by the wonderful Zoe and my original pledge was:

I, Jenna (Justsewjenna on Flickr and Twitter), sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '14. I endeavour to wear something made or refashioned by me six days a week for the duration of May 2014. I am also going to use the opportunity to concentrate on sewing for myself, not in a panic induced way but because I don't normally make the time.

I actually didn't miss a day!  So that part was spot on.  I did have a lot of repeats but I am not bothered about having lots of clothes to wear (I don't have enough storage space for one!) but I would like to have the right clothes to wear in the right situations and/or weather conditions and I really feel like I'm getting there.  I could do with a few more bits and pieces and there are things that I would like to make but overall I am happy.

During April I did start sewing seriously for myself having only made myself two tops in the year since last May.  I find it is so much easier to sew something for Élodie than myself as it is quicker and takes up less space so if I am sewing I find myself reaching for child garments.  Also, her need is usually greater as she needs a complete new set of clothes every season.  I wanted to use Me Made May as a big incentive to actually sew selfishly and I really think it worked.  In the run up I made 3 Cocos, one Mathilde and a New Look 6808 in grey chambray.

New Look 6808

I also had a big sort out of my clothes (ditching the size 10s I was optimistically holding onto for 10 years!) and I refashioned a few bits and pieces.  I felt this exercise was very helpful.  I don't have that many clothes anyway but more than half of my wardrobe was being taken up with things I don't wear.  I now have more space and extra coat hangers!  

During May I made a dress, a skirt, a top for me, a top for Mum and some shorts for Élodie.  I also went to the meet up at the V&A, met some really amazing people, spent far toooo long looking at photos in the Flickr group (not really, I love the feeling of community and looking at everyone's clothes),  and just generally had a blast.  I am really going to miss May!  

I hope that by having a blog now and being generally addicted to Instagram will keep that momentum going and I will carry on making for me as well as the child.  So thank you Zoe for organising such a wonderful event!

So without further ado, here is my month:

1. Day 1, 2. Day 2: Tilly and the Buttons Coco with a mum made hat and a glass of prosecco! #mmmay14 #sewingcoco, 3. Day 3: stripy Renfrew with a jersey maxi skirt (no pattern). Such a comfortable outfit! #mmmay14 #sewing, 4. Day 4: Newlook 6003 skirt in stretch brocade and "the prettiest collar" jumper from a stitch in time (tights to match the carpet in the Natural History Museum!) #mmmay14, 5. #mmmay14 day 5: Tilly and the Buttons Coco number 1 (rtw shorts). #sewingcoco #sewing, 6. #mmmay14 day 6: back to work (boo) wearing my Elk Grove Knits Renfrew made with Zoe at The Village Haberdashery in September., 7. #mmmay14 day 7 jersey maxi skirt (no pattern), liberty top newlook 6808 (made using fabric won during last me made may) and Mum knitted cardi #sewing, 8. #mmmay14 day 8: Coco in knitted mercerised cotton and Brigitte scarf in Elk Grove Knits #sewingcoco #loveatfirststitch @tillybuttons happy book launch! Congrats!, 9. #mmmay14 day 9: theme Friday! Simplicity 2451 in navy corduroy and blue liberty sorbetto (with a mum knit cardi), 10. #mmmay14 day 10: Colette Sorbetto in Liberty lifestyle. Photo courtesy of my 4 year old!, 11. Day 11, 12. #mmmay14 day 12 stripy Renfrew and Jersey maxi, 13. #mmmay14 day 13: jersey maxi and broderie sorbetto (rtw cardi), 14. Day 14, 15. #mmmay14 day 15: wearing my @tillybuttons Mathilde blouse, 16. #mmmay14 day 16 theme Friday! Refashioned skirt (it was white) and newlook 6808 top in chambray #sewing, 17. #mmmay14 day 17: just back from #nylon2014 in my new #emerydress made from old fabric from a Swiss warehouse, 18. #mmmay14 day 18: #sewaholicpatterns crescent skirt and #colettepatterns sorbetto top in eyelet cotton, 19. #mmmay14 day 19: same #sewaholicpatterns crescent skirt as yesterday and same newlook 6808 blouse as Friday but it's sunny so I'm going to wear them while I can!, 20. #mmmay14 day 20: skirt made from stretch brocade and #sewaholicpatterns Renfrew in stripy jersey (3rd outing this month). Really need to find my sunglasses and stop squinting!, 21. #mmmay14 day twentyish: liberty top, punched denim skirt, mum made cardi, me made scowl...end of a long day, nearly wine o'clock!, 22. #mmmay14 day 22: Jersey maxi, Liberty Lifestyle sorbetto and 2nd hand cardi. Coordinating with my office today!, 23. MMMay 14 Day 23, 24. #mmmay14 day 24: my favourite coco and me made headband #sewingcoco, 25. #mmmay14 day 25: punched denim Simplicity 2452, navy polka dot Colette Sorbetto and mum made cardi. Exactly the same as 1st May., 26. #mmmay14 day 26: Colette Sorbetto in cream eyelet and jersey maxi skirt, 27. #mmmay14 day 27: the prettiest collar jumper from A Stitch in Time and Brigitte scarf, 28. MMMay 14 day 28, 29. #mmmay14 day 29: back view of my @tillybuttons Mathilde blouse, 30. #mmmay14 day 30: green spotty skater dress and I found my sunglasses!