MAY: Me-Made!
Hello!
I’m so happy to be back writing posts and finding inspiring creative things to share with you. But I’m also very glad that April is done and dusted, that was a hard month!
I mentioned in a mid-April post that I would be changing up the schedule with Seek To Make. I found myself not having enough time for making when I was posting twice a week. So now it will be more like 3-4 times a month, and some of these posts will be behind a paywall. But I have a plan to make that worthwhile for anyone that is generous enough to sign up to a paid subscription.
So let’s get into this months theme…
Welcome to Me-Made May!
Me-made? Me-made what? I know, not exactly specific, so let me explain what it’s about if it’s new to you. It all started in 2010 when Zoe Edwards decided to challenge herself and others to wear only clothes that she had made herself (excluding things like socks and underwear). This challenge has gained traction over the years and now thousands of people are wearing their amazing homemade wardrobes and sharing their looks online every year. I can’t help but quietly ponder that it can’t have been that long ago most people made their own clothes—out of necessity! But anyway, it’s great handmade wardrobes have made a comeback.
The aim [of Me-Made May] is to encourage people to develop a better relationship with your handmade wardrobe - Zoe Edwards.
For more information about the challenge, check out Zoe’s blog and her Me-Made-May FAQs.
My version of Me-Made May.
Zoe very clearly explains that Me-Made May is not a making challenge, it’s all about wearing your handmade items, even if you only have one me-made thing. I currently have 11 me-made items of clothing (actually one my Mum’s friend made for me because my knitting skills need improving). Although I do wear some of my me-made garments, I want be more intentional and try to document it this month (if you know me, you’ll know I’m not one for selfies, eek!).
BUT, I also want to make some clothing (sorry Zoe, my newsletter is called Seek To Make after all). I’ve had this lovely linen/cotton blend fabric sitting on my shelf for probably a year with the intention of making myself a top out of it.
So this month I’m doing it!
I can’t decide between using the Strata top pattern by Sew Liberated as I like the boxy look of it and I’ve made it before so I know it’s relatively easy, or the Harvest Boxy Top pattern by Peppermint magazine. I need to keep my garment sewing as simple as possible. Yes I’m a quilter who struggles to sew garments!
Why Me-Made?
To talk about the importance of me-made, we first need to talk about two little f-words, Fast Fashion.
Fast fashion is a business model that mass-produces current fashion trends at hyper-sonic speed and usually uses low-cost materials and labour to do so. It encourages [over] consumption and disposal. Like a person using a new plastic cup every time they have a drink, it’s not good for anyone (except of course the top dog who owns the plastic cup company because they don’t care about anyone!)
In case it’s not clear why the fast fashion business model is not a good one, you know, for people and the planet, here are some cold hard facts:
A 2023 study by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) found the fashion industry contributes to 10% of global carbon emissions annually, more than the emissions from international flights and maritime shipping combined.
Those emissions come from:
Fabric production - things like polyester fabric is made from fossil fuels. It also takes more than 200 years to break down, so not great on all sides.
Most (>60%) of the textiles used to make clothes come from countries that largely use coal-powered energy sources.
A large proportion of emissions come from the transportation of materials, both raw materials to make the textiles, and the finished product, to and from the factories where they are produced. As a tiny country at the bottom of the world, we know all about the cost of transportation!
And I haven’t even begun to talk about the social impact on the people that make these clothes! Working in a garment factory, women (mostly), are getting poorly paid, working the type of hours you just can’t imagine, and in conditions that are truly abominable.
Are you convinced, yet or I should I mention the amount of waste produced by the fashion industry every year as well? Ok, 92 million tonnes!
The rate at which we are producing clothes has grown enormously, meanwhile we are wearing our clothes far fewer times (sometimes only once, what?!)
It’s pretty dire. So that’s why we are doing Me-Made this month.
Let’s start to form a different relationship with our wardrobe. I’m proud to say that I don’t follow fast fashion, in fact I very much DO NOT like clothes shopping in general! But I know I can be more intentional with my wardrobe and I hope to one day have an almost entirely me-made set of clothes that I value and love to wear.
My Me-Made wardrobe so far which I’ll share as I wear them this month (except for the last one, oh and the disaster ones):
Pinnacle top by Papercut Patterns - These can be little tricky to get the V right but I’ve made two and love them. I want to make the jumper (sweater) version one day.
Strata Top by Sew Liberated - I’ve made two of these in linen blends. They are a simple style and simple to make.
Brumby skirt by Megan Nielsen Patterns - loved the idea but I put in a zip that keeps slipping down (after sewing the waistband on upside down), the pockets sit way too low so I have to slouch to get my hands in them, and I just think the style doesn’t suit me.
Burda 6586 Skirt pattern - I have made two long versions of this pattern, one in a summer print and a heavier long black linen one. I love these and they are super simple to make.
Hinterland dress by Sew Liberated - This dress turned out great but it turns out I really wear dresses much, oops!
Arnite pants by Sew Liberated - I haven’t made these yet but they look so comfy!
Axis dress by Papercut Patterns - I haven’t made this one either but think it could be a great little black dress (except I don’t ever go to events that require a little black dress, so….).
Shifty Sweater by Drea Renee Knits - I commissioned my Mum’s best friend, who is an insanely good knitter, to make this for my 40th birthday and I just love it. So light, the fit is perfect, and it’s made from beautiful wool. I want a whole wardrobe of Drea Renee Knit jumpers now!
Tamarack Jacket by Grainline Stuio - This was my first attempt at a quilted jacket. It turned out very big on my petite frame so I don’t tend to wear it.
Chiono quilt coat by Sewillow - I love this quilt coat and made a few versions that I sold via my shop @coastroadquiltingco.
Ogden Cami by True Bias - I used the wrong type of fabric and it just didn’t hang right (I also sewed the lining back to front on this). But I’ll try again, one day.
Fringe dress by Chalk & Notch - I tried to use a hack on this pattern to make a top but flimsy fabric + interfacing + curves, it all just went wrong.
Serpentine hat by Elbe Textiles - I made a test version out of a sheet and did not like it. But I don’t suit any hats, at all, ever! So this was doomed from the beginning.
Mirri Jumpsuit by Papercut Patterns - This is my latest purchase and possibly a very risky one given I’ve never worn a jumpsuit in my life! But damn it looks great so I want to try it out.
And last but not least, my most famous garment ever made….
My wedding dress! Mum and I made this a week before my wedding after a terrible wedding dress purchase, but that is another story. And sorry I can’t remember what the pattern was that I modified. But it turned out and I loved it.
Your Turn! Show me Your Me-Made’s.
Are you participating in this years Me-Made challenge? I would love to see your handmade wardrobe and how you style it. Or maybe you just have one thing you have made for yourself, let’s share!
Your Call To Maketion
(Make + Action, hmm not sure I’ll stick with that?)
Wear your handmade items of clothing, even if you only have a crocheted beanie and it’s a hot spring day :)
Share your wonderful wardrobe in the chat and I’ll try and do the same!
Chose one item that you can make for yourself this month. Maybe its a sewn piece of clothing, or if you don’t sew, it could be knitted, crocheted or maybe you are an ace at visible mending, that counts too!
Or if this is not for you, why not try just making something, anything, this month. It could be a papier mâché lightshade, a pair of air-dry clay earrings, or a little notebook. Anything that is made by you is good.
Coming next…
Next up, I’ll be sharing a bunch of great resources with you, including patterns, books, a Q&A with a local sewist and more.
Until then, happy making.
Esta
Seek to Make is an exploration of creativity and making. Each month, I share a monthly theme around making, showcase inspiring makers, share tips, tools and encouragement. Together let's get curious and immerse ourselves in the art of making!
Wow! Your wedding dress is absolutely stunning! You wore it so beautifully. Sooo impressive that you and your Mum just 'whipped' that up a week out from the wedding!
Love that fabric, Esta. I vote for the harvest boxy top; and make the jump suit it's fabulous! Oh, and wear that dress you made and love, it's too pretty not to get out of your wardrobe. 🙃