This is the last day of Me-Made June. It was fun and inspirational. In the near future, I plan on picking a few outfits from the group pool, which caught my attention. But for today, here’s a gallery of my outfits.

I still have a lot of home-sewn and knit clothes that did not make an appearance this month. So, as far as quantity of clothing is concerned, I’m all set. This challenge drove home the fact that I’d rather be comfortable than cute, which is why I didn’t wear more of the skirts and dresses that are hanging in my closet. One reader suggested that I try wearing bike shorts under my skirts so I’d feel a little more covered up. I think that’s a great idea. I looked for some during my last trip to Tar-jay, but didn’t find any. I could make some, but would prefer to try out a cheap manufactured pair before investing the time and effort.

I like pants. I LOVE my jeans. It would be nice to mix things up a bit with different trousers. I’m going to work on that.

I’m also going to make a casual jacket or two. I need them to round out my everyday outfits. I feel more pulled-together when I wear at least three pieces, a top, a bottom and a layering piece of some sort.

I’m not crazy about how I look in most t-shirts. I should make more blouses. I say that all the time and haven’t done much about it. You guys should nag me.

So, in short, it was fun, I learned a lot and have some projects to keep me fired up until the next challenge in September!

If I write anything crazy today, it’s the drugs talking.

I’ve been trying to fight off a migraine for the last few days, but it’s finally gotten the better of me. So now that I’m totally high on the heavy duty meds, I thought it would be the perfect time to write a blog post. After all, I can’t embarrass myself any more than I did the other day when I posted the chicken dance picture. Right?

Right?

Sewing News

I finished sewing a pair of shorts using Simplicity 2414. I was in the mood for some extremely easy sewing and this certainly fit the bill.

They’re comfy, and since I didn’t own any shorts, they fill a gaping hole in my wardrobe. Unfortunately, drawstring pants/shorts are not flattering on me. All that gathered fabric around my wide hips? Yeah, not cute. They make me look like I’m waddling around in diapers.

I’ll be waddling around in these “diapers” at the community pool, but you won’t see a photograph of me modeling them. At least, not today

Tons of New Patterns!

Early this week, the mailman brought me some patterns I had been coveting for awhile and my Burda Style magazine.

I loved Patty the Snug Bug’s versions of the blouse with the peplum and Roobeedoo set me onto the wide-legged pants/skirt pattern. I even love the shorts! As I did with the Jalie jeans, I want to work on two different styles of pants until they fit just right–and so I can make them over and over again. One would be a pair of wide-legged trousers like these and the other would be a closer-fitting casual pair of pants.

Speaking of pants-fitting, my local fabric store, Pacific Fabrics, will be having a series of Palmer/Pletsch fitting classes this summer. I’d love to take them all, but they’re a bit pricey. If I can swing it, I’d especially like to take the Pants for Real People class. It’s two days long. On the first day, students tissue fit a pattern and get individual help from the certified instructor. On the second day, everyone sews their pants, learning how to fine tune the fit and some special construction techniques. This will be held on June 17th & 24th. Are any of you locals interested in going? It would be wonderful to have a partner in crime!

There really wasn’t anything in the Burda magazine that I was keen on. I don’t usually like the summer versions of these magazines, so didn’t have high hopes dashed.

Look what I found at the thrift store today:

Occasionally, I’ll pick up patterns at the thrift store, but often don’t end up making them. I think that situation might change here. I really like the look of Simplicity 5968 and it’s marketed as a “look slimmer” pattern. Can’t beat that! I don’t think I could get away with the short top on Simplicity 8113, but the pants and the blouse look pretty cute.

I’m coveting the new Sewaholic pattern, the Lonsdale dress. It’s really cute and Tasia says it’s easy to sew. Bonus! The only thing I’m concerned about is the undergarment issue. I’m shopping for a supportive strapless bra. If I find one, I’m sure that will be like discovering the holy grail.

It Figures

I always thought I had a pear-shaped figure, but was confounded when much of the advice I read on how to dress that figure didn’t work out for me. Recently, I re-read figure descriptions on Inside Out Style (IOS) and think I may have more of an 8 shape, with narrower shoulders. The key seems to be high shelf-like hips. I’m currently experiencing angst over my hip shape, so hopefully learning how to balance them out in an outfit will help me feel better. It’s not like I can diet or exercise away my hips…well, maybe a little, but the issue is more of a structural one.

I’m glad I read about dressing the Figure 8 Shape, since I think I have been picking out skirts that are all wrong for me. Here’s what IOS recommends:

• Skirts are best when they are straight, they can flare from the knee, but not from the hip to be flattering.
• Avoid skirts that are gathered or pleated from the waist, unless they are that 1950s flounce style.

These suggestions seem sensible. Let’s see if I understand them.

I already have two versions of Simplicity 2698 cut out and partially stitched up. Was picking this style a mistake? Or does the wide waistband mitigate the fullness a bit?

Perhaps we just have to wait and see. What about making a Sewaholic Cresent skirt? Would that be a no-no for me?

I suspect so…too bad, though! It’s a lovely pattern.

IOS also recommends that Figure 8′s steer away from wide-legged trousers, which takes the wind out of my sails with regard to Simplicity 2654, mentioned above. However, I don’t think I’m entirely convinced by that. Ruffles and pleats around the hips? Yeah, bad. Wide, flat-front trousers? We shall see.

Not Quite Ready to Shut Up

1. Do any of you have experience creating and using a croquis? I’m thinking of trying that. It might save me some time and disappointment. This notion may be entirely inspired by the set of paper dolls my daughter is playing with right now. I want to play too!
2. Do any of you have experience with the Metric Pattern Cutting series? I’m intrigued!

Me-Made June

I’m completely tired of taking photos of myself. I’m not tired of wearing clothes made by me–I’m still doing it every day–but I’m not making any promises about photographing the last few outfits worn during Me-Made June. I applaud all of you out there who are still going strong!

Just to demonstrate how bad the situation has grown, I’ll share last-night’s last-minute photograph…taken after I got home from my knitting group, where I had already made a fool of myself by dancing on a chair to show off my latest outfit (my friends made me do it).

Caw! Caw!

That’s right. I’m doing the chicken dance. Good times.

I Finished a Knitting Project!

This shawl was well over a year in the making. It shouldn’t have taken me that long, but hot weather got the better of me last summer. Knitting mohair with sweaty hands is unpleasant.

It’s not this color at all. It’s fuschia. It’s also rather large, and I haven’t blocked it yet. When I do, I’ll be sure to let you know how it measures.

The pattern is Birch by Sharon Miller from Rowan 34. I used fuschia Kid Silk Haze to knit it. Love the yarn. Love the shawl. I think I’ll sew a dress to match.