Me-Made May: Days 1 - 11

My Me-Made May is off to a slow start but, I'm attempting to keep my efforts honest so I can see just how well my self-made wardrobe actually fits into my daily life (ie. no poofy sundresses just to clean the house).

I definitely made the right call keeping my pledge to 4 garments a week.  I just haven't made enough items to do more.  Especially not practical ones...  Here are my thoughts so far:

Day 1 - Nothing
Day 2 - Nada
Day 3 - Simplicity 3571 (unblogged) ... me-made pj bottoms.  Though I hardly count these as actually MMM wears, I do like the reminder that these are some of my favorite pj bottoms and they've actually limited the number of RTW bottoms I've since purchased (That number is 2 btw).  Also, they're some of my oldest me-made items so, it makes me quite happy that they're still hanging in there.
Day 4 - Another Simplicity 3571 (unblogged) Ditto

Day 5 - Zip


Day 6 - Raspberry Renfrew - If you caught the post last week, you saw this was a bit of panic necessity sewing.  May decided to throw cooler weather at me and remind me I have a bad habit of sewing sundresses... not so 50F appropriate.  The long-sleeve/cowl-neck combo was perfect for this weather but, looking at the photos, I see the jersey was definitely the wrong choice for the pattern.  The shirt will get worn again (and again) but, it will most likely be an indoors-only top.
Day 7 - None
Day 8 - None


Day 9 - Blue Herringbone Shirtdress - Contrary to Monday, our southern spring is back in full swing.  I needed to be dressed cool and comfortably for a day of chores and errands.  This shirt dress has certainly remained a go-to in my wardrobe.  On occasion, I feel it looks frumpy on the hanger but, I never fail to get compliments on it polish when I opt to wear it out (I always wear a belt).  I'd like to experiment more with accessories to liven it up a bit though.  I really like the tan woven belt with it but, I generally wear tan shoes too and that, in my mind, makes it a bit too traditional.  Classic but, not very youthful.
Day 10 - Blue/White Seersucker Gingham Shirt (unblogged) - Normally, I'd say it's a bit early to break out the seersucker but, we've been doing a fair bit of work on the house so, I wanted to stay cool.  Unfortunately, now that I know more about fit, I realize this shirt doesn't.  We over-fitted the shirt all around and did not compensate for mobility.  If I were to make this pattern again, I'd need to add pleats to the shoulders so I can comfortably move my arms and let out the bust area to prevent the ever-dreaded gaposis.  By the way, Friday's theme was sewing or your creative space so, I shared a little peak into my new sewing room and at an upcoming project :)



Day 11 - Blue Seashell Sundress - I'm still pretty pleased with this dress and I'm sure it will continue to get regular wear.  It's comfortable, I can wear a standard bra and it's fairly easy to accessorize (the busy print has me convinced minimal accessories are best).  I love the nautical print but, we stopped in Brooks Brothers yesterday (where I did a bit of snoop-shopping for an upcoming project) and I was keenly aware that I was wearing quilting cotton.  I'm sure no one else would have guessed but, I think I'll avoid quilting fabrics for any future dresses.

That's one full week down, three to go!  Is anyone else off to a slow start?

Happy sewing! x

Finished Object: Raspberry Renfrew

So, at 0:00EST on xxxxxx, how many of you heard a giddy squeal?
That was me.
I'd been struggling, trying to think of a project that I could do solely on my serger (the movers packed that in its original box, thank goodness) but, I kept coming up blank.  I know it's ideal for knits but, even knits need hems.  Then, Marianna posted her fantastic Renfrew and it occurred to me - Renfrews don't need hems!  Sure, it would have been optimal to have a straight-stitch available for topstitching and shoulder seams but, who would argue over such teeny details?
Not I!
Instead, I set up my serger asap and set to work on my very first Renfrew!  (My very first Sewaholic pattern, for that matter.)

I starting writing the above post back in January after reading Marianna's post, hit save, and dashed to the sewing room.  But, when I sat down to actually sew to Renfrew in question, I discovered that while the movers had packed my serger in it's original box, they had neglected to pack the pedal with it.  It wasn't until late April that Brandon finally found it.  (We'd unpacked everything but, somehow a few of my sewing items got tossed in an antique steam trunk.  What's really odd is that we didn't inherit said steam trunk until several weeks after we moved...)

By then, my standard machine had been repaired and I was back to working on wovens.  Excited as I was to have my serger working again, spring had pushed the long-sleeved Renfrew I'd cut far out of my mind.  That is, until May decided to bring out the rain and drop the temperature 20-30 degrees.

I know panic sewing for Me-Made May is discouraged but, I'm going to call this filling a gap.  I did state that I would focus on separates this month so, I don't really feel like I'm cheating.  Just ignore the fact that I wasn't able to participate until I finished it :/

My feelings on this garment were mixed throughout the process.  Lately, I've not been much of a t-shirt person.      I purchased this pattern because so many of you made so many great looking shirts but, really, I was concerned it would be too much work for me to want to make multiples of something so casual.  And, on one hand, it was.  To start, I won't tell you how long it took me to sew the elastic onto the shoulder seam (tip: baste the elastic at either end, then sew from the middle out, using a walking foot).  Then, because my jersey was so stretchy and slippery, no amount of basting or pinning could make any of my seams line up.  Ironing this fabric was quite a pain too and it wanted to shine no matter what heat setting or pressing cloth I used.

Then, I tried it on.  So. Frickin. Comfortable.  Seriously, between the oh-so-soft rayon jersey and the cozy (but shapely) cut, this shirt almost feels indecent - like I'm wearing pajamas to the grocery store.  Yet, at the grocery, I was complimented on how "divine" it was.

Now having seen the photos, the fit is as I expected but, not what I wanted.  But, that's what you get when you ignore the bit about "stable knits" and instead grab a drapey jersey because it's a pretty color.  The fabric droops and drags the shirt down a bit and it clings here and there in ways I don't want shirts to cling but, that won't stop it from getting regular wear.  Even if it's just at home doing chores - I need clothes for those days too.

Definitely need a sway back adjustment and a stable knit next time.
SN: I'm not usually a fan of the high bun but, it's hard to argue it's practicallity for rainy bad-hair days ;)

I also see more of these in my future, though I plan to listen to Tasia's fabric recommendation this time ;)  So, if you have store recommendations for natural, colorful stable knits, lemme hear them!

Any other necessity sewers for MMM out there?

Happy sewing! x


Stash/spending notes:
Fabric:  >2 yards Mild Cherry Rayon Jersey Knit from stash - $4.80 from Fabric Mart
Pattern:  Sewaholic 1201  from stash - ~$13
Year:  2012
Notions:  ~8" clear elastic from stash - ~$.06 from Fashion Sewing Supply
Time to complete:  5 or 6 hours over the weekend?
First worn:  6 May 2013
Wear again?  Yep! It's too cozy not to
Total cost:  ~$18

Me-Made-May '13 - I'm In!

I said this last year but, I'll say it again - I love challenges!  They're so motivating!  I have Julia's Mad Men challenge to thank for finally nudging me back into sewing, Lady Katza's Challis Chalet to thank for keeping the momentum going (I have two challis projects headed for the cutting table) and now Me-Made May to thank for reminding me I need to work on separates.

Since I haven't been sewing recently, I almost opted out of Me-Made May this year but, it's just so fun!  So, I looked over my pledge for last year and then over my final thoughts and decided I can make it work. Yay!

Last year, I pledged four items per week and I succeeded but, I was displeased by the number of repeats.  This year, I'm going to keep it at four (since my me-made closet didn't grow much after last May) but, to up the challenge, I'm only allowing two garments to be worn twice.  Nothing can be worn a third time.  This creates a gap of at least five spaces that need to be filled by new garments.


So, here's my official pledge:

'I, Jennifer of The Musings of a Dedicated Housefiancee, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavour to wear at least four me-made items each week for the duration of May 2013, allowing only two repeats.'

Goals for this year, based on last year's final thoughts:

• I will focus my May sewing on separates.  Last May (and in general, really), I struggled with what me-mades to pull out of my closet because I spend many of my days at home cooking, cleaning, etc and prefer comfortable clothes for such tasks.  If my serger pedal reveals itself before then, I'll add a few Renfrews to my plan, otherwise, I'll aim to sew a couple casual skirts (a la Simplicity 2451), tops and maybe a pair or two of shorts.
• I will make a greater effort to "put myself together".  In real life, I suppose you might say I'm a fairly plain girl.  I prefer to keep my makeup relatively simple (though, I do always wear some when leaving the house) and I wear minimal, if any, accessories.  I've been working on it but, I'm still trying to find the balance between what looks "put together" to others and what looks over-the-top to me.
• I will limit the number of repeats. (I've already stated this but, last year's bullet summary is proving so helpful, I wanted to keep the same format.)  In an effort to up the challenge this year, I'm limiting myself from relying on my two most comfortable pieces, my Simplicity shirtdress and my Vogue knit dress.  This should help push me to add new comfortable pieces to my wardrobe.
• I will make a greater effort to photograph each outfit.  Since I often style items differently from the way I did for the original post, it's helpful to actually see how the "daily" styling works.  (This is also why I started posting occasional OOTD posts.)  How something looks in the mirror is not always how it looks to others so, photos help me see that.  It's also great to get feedback from all of you. :)
• I will make a more consistent effort to document the month.  I blamed part of last year's inconsistency on my poor, slow laptop.  Luckily, the situation has been remedied, as I had hoped.  I've actually laid out a posting schedule for myself for once I'm back to regular blogging and designated Sundays as OOTD days so, it seems fitting to aim for Sundays in May to be Me-Made summary days.
• (Owing to the aforementioned sewing absence, I'll excuse myself from the goal of having Brandon participate, with the aim to add that to next year.)

So, there you have it!  It will be challenging but, that's the point and I'm totally excited!  Now, who else has joined in?  (If you haven't yet, there's still time!)

Bring on May!! x

Finished Object: Mad Men Challenge - Betty's Picnic Dress

Finally!!!  After a long weekend of marathon sewing, I've finished my first successful garment of 2013!

I'd originally planned to make Trudy's blue party dress for Julia's Mad Men Challenge, since last year's attempt was a bust, but, once again it wasn't meant to be.  Royal blue cotton sateen just wasn't to be found.  Even when I ordered it online, the order was canceled and I was left with no fabric.

But, what luck that I should remember this red and pink floral cotton sitting in my stash.  And, how much I had liked the sundress Betty's wore for a picnic in season 2.  Clearly, I was meant to be a Betty this year.  I'm even taking on a Betty trait... sticking to the older, fuller fashions rather than embracing the cute mod looks so many of you are sporting.

Even browsing through my vintage patterns, I couldn't find one with the right silhouette.  So, I searched every pattern currently available to find a bodice with spaghetti straps and no princess seams (I'm so bad at trimming those).  New Look 6886 was the one and only.  With two muslins, (yes! me! muslins!!) I turned out to be just what I wanted.

The pattern's skirt, however, was too modern.  I planned on using a vintage Simplicity pattern but, when I took out the pieces for ironing, I discovered only the pattern's coat pieces remained!  Oops.  So, I turned to retro Butterick 5747 for its similar style lines.  Once I folded out the button placket, it was a perfect fit.  I just love the box pleats!

In the end, my Franken-pattern, and a tweak or two of my own, have me a comfortable cotton sundress with just the right vintage touches to make me smile.  I couldn't be happier to be sewing again and I feel like this was a huge win.

And, of course...

Not to worry.  No trash was left behind in this park.

Stash/spending notes:
Fabric:  2 yards floral cotton broadcloth from stash – $6 from Fabric Mart; .5 yard white mercerized cotton batiste – $3.75 from Gail K
Pattern:  New Look 6886 for the bodice (with modified straps) – $3.95, Butterick 4757 for the skirt (button plackets removed) – $1
Year:  Contemporary/Retro 1960
Notions:  invisible zipper from stash – $.50?, grosgrain ribbon from stash
Time to complete:  Way too long, as usual
First worn:  22 April 2013
Wear again?  Absolutely!! I believe "enamored" is the word I keep using :D
Total cost:  ~$15*
*Can I just say how proud I am that I shopped my stash for everything but the lining!  Woo hoo... that's 1 down, 7 more to go!

For those interested in more modification/construction detail, I posted my notes on Pattern Review.  (I've really got to get the hang of this blogging thing again!)

Happy sewing! x

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Stay tuned!  I've a finished garment to share and another headed for the cutting table... I'm getting back in the swing of it and I'm so excited!