May 30: A well-loved skirt

Yesterday I realized I needed to mix thing up a bit and wear a me-made item that hasn't gotten a lot of love recently.  So I dug up this skirt that I made about five years ago, from a dress that I made about five years before that.  The fabric was given to me by my Grandmother, one of the last pieces of material she had from when she still sewed.  I've always been attracted to the bright colors of the print, and the very fine transparent gauze fabric.  

Wearing the skirt reminded me that it's time to remake it once more, into a more durable, better lined garment.  The skirt that I made from the fabric last time was put together in a hurry, by making a basic casing using the lining fabric, and inserting a ribbon to cinch it up.  The construction neither looks very attractive, nor benefits the delicate fabric.  After wearing it belted at my natural waist, I think the next go-round I will make this into a high waisted skirt, using a nice cotton voile for lining, darts to shape the back and some gentle pleats to add dimension to the front.

 A very sad casing indeed...   

                

                        But a very pretty fabric!              

Here's how I wore it:

Black Leotard - had it forever

where did it come from?

Skirt by me

Belt - Thrifted

Gladiators - 80%20

May 29: Red White & Blue

Today I wore: 

Floral Camisole by me

Tank top (worn under) - Express

Cuffed Shorts - Target

Gladiators - 80%20

Sweater - Forever 21

And for lunch I made:

Bulgar Wheat (cooked up last night)

English cucumber, diced

dash of EVOO

pinch of sea salt

Lime, juiced

New Free Patterns from German BurdaStyle

Hmm... what do we have here?  It looks like Burda (via Burdastyle.de) has some new free patterns up.  Don't get too excited though, as one of them seems to be a tutorial? to create a pair of destroyed jeans like the ones Carrie/Sarah Jessica Parker wears in SATC II.  

 

Images from Burdastyle.de

The photo on the right is Burda's interpretation.  I don't know they're just not the same without the Uggs and tiara-headband are they?  heh.  Well, if you're still interested, you can find the tutorial? pattern? here.  Be forewarned, you will need to register as a user on the burdastyle.de site first.  

Now for the good news!  Burda has also gifted us a lovely blouse pattern available here.  

  

Images from Burdastyle.de

I'm glad to see a couple new free patterns up on the site, but I hope they will also add patterns for purchase, as I've let my subscription lapse again.  I really miss the old Burda World of Fashion some days, as the new trendy reincarnation of the magazine is not as satisfying.  If I'm going to spend the time sewing my own togs, I don't usually pick very trendy styles.  

That said, I am still hoping for a pattern for the pleated trousers featured in the June issue.  After a closer look at the technical drawing, though, I suppose I could try my hand at drafting something similar myself.

 

Images from Burdastyle.de

Alright, that's enough of my rambling.  This has been a nice break from outfit posts, no?  Now back to cutting out some new projects!  Happy sewing :)

May 28: Sapphire Blouse and Soup

Yesterday my sapphire blouse made its debut for Me-Made-May.  Since I have not yet made many trousers, I did wear a pair that were store bought.  This is a problem I hope to remedy in the near future, as the fabric quality of these trousers is not so hot, AND all the pockets in them are fake.  What?!  Why would you make four completely ornamental pockets on pants?  Seriously--I have more functional skirts! Oh, and speaking of functional skirts, have you seen Caroline Woolard's The Work Dress on BurdaStyle?  Very cool.

Sapphire Blouse by me

Lace Camisole - Kohl's

Cropped Trousers - The Limited

Ballet Flats - Me Too via Filene's

In addition to my daily Me-Made-May rambles, here are some photos of what I made for dinner last night: Three-Step Lentil Soup and Artichoke with Mayo-Balsamic dip.  What a lovely way to begin the long weekend!

Mirepoix

+

Lentils

=

Assorted Herbs

=

SOUP!

And then we had an aftertizer: fancy, I know ;)

Thanks for stopping by-- please come back later for today's outfit and some sewing updates!

Me-Made Day 27: Staying Cool

Today the temperature reached a bit above 80° F, so I was pretty sure that comfort would be the main goal.  What else to wear but a nice crisp poplin dress?  And the gray cardigan, of course, for the second day in a row.  Because it's cowld in the office during the summer!

Turquoise Dress by me

Cardigan - TJMaxx

Necklace - Macy's

(Gratuitous shot of lace inset)

May 26: Deco Dress Redux

Today I wore my Deco dress again, accessorized with pearls.

Cardigan - TJ Maxx

Deco dress by me

Belt - Stein Mart

Pearl necklace & Earrings by my very talented friend Rachel 

May 24 & 25

I had a very busy weekend and did not have a chance to take pictures of what I wore either day.  Are you wondering what could possibly keep me away from both my sewing machine AND my camera?  Well, after three long years of law school, it was Rem's graduation weekend.  I was kept occupied posing for many photos taken by others, but didn't manage to catch any on my own camera.  Hopefully I can track down some of those lovely photos, so I can show you how my navy dotted dress finally turned out!  Until then, here is what I wore so far this week: 

May 24:

Peach top by me

Rust skirt by me

Necklace - Tord Boontje's Charming

Full outfit last seen here

May 25: 

Striped top by me

Khaki trousers - Gap

Sandals - Birki's

Even though I'm not doing the full challenge of wearing all handmade clothing items, at this point in the month I feel like I've nearly worn all possible me-made combinations in my wardrobe.  The good news is this has forced me to come up with a few new outfits, and to face wardrobe shortcomings head-on, rather than copping out and reaching for denim bottoms and a jersey tee each morning.  Oh, and I'm seriously looking forward to some quality sewing/project completion time this [long] weekend.

Day Twenty-one

Wow, I can't believe Me-Made-May is already 2/3 finished!  What I wore today: 

Blazer - Esprit

Flower power sundress by me (also seen here)

Currently sewing: the hem on this dress and the slip for underneath.  Crossing my fingers that I'll be able to finish by tomorrow night!

The perfect day for Raspberry Jacket

Today was such a busy day at work, I nearly forgot to take photos of what I wore.  This one was taken just after I arrived home, and just before I ran out to order pizza.  I made this brightly colored jacket with my Flutter Sleeve Cardi pattern, with a couple adjustments.  The body of the cardigan has been shortened, while the sleeves were cut straight rather than flared and were lengthened to half-sleeves.  

 

Raspberry jacket by me

Houndstooth print blouse - Stein Mart

Belt - Thrifted

Black Trousers - Esprit

Goodnight!  Sweet sewing dreams :)

May 19

Last night Rem and I biked over to a friend's place for a dinner party and jam session.  Among the musicians in attendance, we had a banjo, guitar, bass guitar, saxophone and clarinet.  It was really fun to listen to their renditions of The Joker and Como Ves.  And now, without further ado, here is what I wore yesterday:

Layered ensemble by me

Jeans - Promod

And here I am with a cross-body bag I made forever ago.  It's getting a tad old, but it really is so much easier to bike with!  Have you seen Gertie's post on Handbag Strategy?  Can you tell by now that I don't have one?  I have to admit, when it comes to handbags, my first priorities are cost and convenience.  While I've never denied myself fabric that I really love, or cute and comfortable shoes, handbags have never seemed as important to me until just recently.  I know that I need a better bag, but where to get it?  Should I save money by waiting for a sale at Macy's?  (Do I like the bags at Macy's?)  Should I buy from etsy to support a fellow craftsperson?  The verdict's still out, but I'll get to it one of these days.