Caftan Life

Took a class to make the Closet Case Charlie Caftan. I used this dreamy London Calling Lawn - Flowers in Mint. The fabric is buttery soft.

I made a size 18 top and graded to 20 in the hips. In class, I raised the neckline and also lowered the waist. I'm super happy with those adjustments. If I make the maxi length again, I would probably add an inch to the length.

Puget Sound

Took a lovely trip to the Puget Sound (north of Seattle) to visit my parents and get in a little ocean time. I couldn't have asked for better weather.

The first day we drove out to Deception Pass, walked the bridge and went down to the beach. The next day was an awesome whale watching tour and we saw some orcas. The last full day we went to Friday Harbor. Before flying home we went to Snoqualmie Falls and hiked to Twin Falls.

You can see all the pictures here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/yH1SMGWXx3iSppB58

Sutton Blouse by True Bias

This might have been the neatest sewing I've ever done. The instructions were great, and it's finished so beautifully with French seams and bias binding on the neck.

I made this with a drapey rayon. Since I often use quilting cotton for a wearable muslin, I thought maybe I'd try using the "right" fabric.

I made the size 18, which is a bit tight given my measurements, but the instructions said there was a lot of ease. Sadly there wasn't enough ease, and it's a pretty tight fit.

I have also decided I do not like kimono style sleeves. I don't like the way the fabric lays around my armpits/bust. From here on, I will stick with set in sleeves or raglan.

Bust 46.75"
Waist 43
Hips 49

Ironing board cover

My ironing board cover was looking pretty rough, so when I saw this bee fabric, I knew I had a winner. I more or less followed this tutorial: https://www.tillyandthebuttons.com/2015/05/pimp-my-sewing-room-how-to-make-ironing.html.

Me Made May Musings

I enjoyed challenging myself to wear my me mades. I had more than I thought, and some are staple pieces in my wardrobe. I think I wore either my black or blue linen pants every week. My Ebony raglan tees were in heavy rotation too.

I have realized the fabric is really important. I need more knit tops, and more from linen or softer cotton. I use quilting cotton as a wearable muslin, and in some cases it works out just fine. I think I just need to suck it up and spend more on fabric and give myself permission to let it go if the fit isn't the way I want.

I really like skirts and dresses, and it's probably the bulk of my me mades. Unfortunately my office is so cold I don't like wearing them as much. I finally bought some no show socks so hopefully that will help with wearing mary janes or "dressier" tennis shoes. I might try making some capri length leggings to see if that helps. It's frustrating, but an important factor to keep in mind as I make clothes.

I for sure did not have enough lounge/casual clothes. By Friday I just wanted to wear jeans and a t-shirt and on the weekends I'm in shorts or lounge pants and a t-shirt. I think too if I had more me mades in fabrics that feel cozy that I would wear them more on weekends.

I did make a pair of owl pj pants. I got stalled making a tank top to go with it as it didn't fit.

Lastly, I had a goal to wear all my me mades at least once. Below is what I didn't wear. Last weekend I pulled my modified Dress no 1 out of the proverbial corner and thought wow, why haven't I worn this. I sewed the pockets on and washed it, and then ran out of time during the week to wear. I will wear it soon. I'm going to hem the sleeves up a bit too. I pulled my Washi dress literally out of the back of the closet and wondered why I never wore it. I struggled a lot making it with the elastic shirring. I ripped out the shirring so it's a little looser fit, but I think it's fine. I'll wear and see what I think.

My green pencil skirt with brown polka dots doesn't fit. It gets wear so when I am back to that size I know I'll wear it again. My cabbage rose a line skirt just didn't get in the rotation because I didn't have my blue t shirt that I usually wear out of under bed storage and honestly a bit afraid it won't fit right now either. Ugh. I love it still and will wear again. Pants no 1 are also snug, so not something I wanted to wear. And lastly my beloved knit shark skirt doesn't fit either.

Me Made May Week 5

Tuesday I wore my Wren dress. Wednesday I wore shirt no 1 made from  shimmery shot cotton with my Zinnia skirt in a dark chambray and Thursday I wore my black linen pants with a tunic top.

Me Made May Week 4

I didn't get a lot of me mades in this week. I know I wore me mades Tuesday and Wednesday, but I am completely drawing a blank on what I wore and I didn't seem to take pictures. I am pretty sure they are repeats.

Thursday I wore my Moneta dress. This is the second one I made with a longer bodice. Saturday I wore my red knit skirt (2nd time)...it feels casual enough for weekend wear.