Do any of you follow, or get involved in, Me Made May each year? This event is one to encourage garment sewing and was started years ago. Now in its ninth year, it is a very popular sewing celebration that happens on many social media platforms. It is the creation of Zoe from So Zo, What Do You Know. She is a sewist living in the UK and she often blogs about garment sewing and sustainable sewing.
Me Made May is a unique event in that each participant really sets up their own challenge. Many, many of the sewists will challenge themselves to wear only their handmade clothing each day of the month (some even take it as far as handmade underwear, camisoles and/or bras). Others may set a personal challenge to wear something handmade once each week. Others might set out to create some handmade garments during the month. There really isn’t a right or wrong way to go about it. I also like that there is no judging, no voting, no huge prizes driving everyone. People share their makes, their sewing ideas and plans with each other – usually on Instagram #mmm18 or #memademay2018 or by blogging. (Just to give some perspective on the size of this event, it began 6 days ago. As of this writing on Sunday afternoon, there are over 4,000 posts in#memademay2018.) It celebrates a mutual love of sewing – be it incredibly intricate and fitted garments, or a basic t-shirt.
Which is exactly what I made last week!
Several months ago, I thrifted a bolt (yep, I have a lot of it) of this mauve stretch knit fabric. I had no idea what I would do with it at the time but I figured I would think of something. The fabric in general is in great condition. There are a few spots on the selvage that have a small hole which don’t really cause any issue since they are on the selvage. Thinking I wanted to make a t-shirt, I scouted the internet and posed the question on Facebook, asking for pattern recommendations. One pattern designer that was recommended is Blank Slate Patterns. I liked both the look and simplicity of the Blanc T Shirt. You can buy the pattern, or if you are a member of their Facebook group, it is a free download.
The pattern has two pieces. Well actually, it is a pdf download and there are 20 pages to print. But 16 of those pages create two pattern pieces. It is sized from XS to XL. Really, this is a simple process – just takes a little bit of tape and scissors. Not a big deal.
I decided this first round would be a practice session. I purposely cut it out as a size large because it is easier to size down than up. Plus I was hoping for a loose, kind of flowy look? Is flowy a word? Probably not but you know what I mean.
It takes no time to sew front to back. Once I tried it on and decided I liked the fit, I ran a loose zig zag stitch over each seam to finish it off. Really I should have set up the serger to do this and get a nice finish but you know… it was in the closet…. the sewing table was a mess…. it just seemed like to much work. Maybe next time.
After finishing the seams, all that was left was a bit of finish works. Hemming the bottom and the sleeves came next. Finally I finished the neckline with purchased bias tape. The only hiccup in the project was the bottom hem. I ran two lines of stitching and there are several wobbles in the second line. I am not sure why it happened. It doesn’t bother me enough to rip it out though. If I were to want a double stitched line I think I would try using a double needle. I bought one a long time ago but have not yet practiced with it.
I love these little projects because of the quick finish. It is really satisfying to cut out a couple of pieces and then have a t-shirt to wear the next day. I am going to make one more in this pretty black knit that I bought. My plan after that is to make something a bit more challenging. I have two patterns sitting out that I keep looking at and debating which to try first. Stay tuned for more in Me Made May!
Linking up all over the place. Check out the link parties I enjoy! They are listed at the top of the page, under Link Ups.
I have been enjoying your me made may posts on instagram Berni. I thought I might have made a few things to join in, but no. Not even the top you made in your sew a long last year, I still have the pattern and the fabric , ~Too scared to do it on my own now!
Helen, you do have things to share. It is called Me Made May and includes all sorts of ways to make wearables! Your knitting projects should be shared! When you put on your gorgeous handmade socks, share it! Or how about that pretty dark pink sweater you made recently! I admire your skills with your knitting.☺️
Bernie, you make that look so easy! The shirt looks so nice on you, and the mauve color really works for you (I cannot wear mauve). I definitely get the reason for not bringing out the serger, not that anything like that has happened here. Ahem.
well, I got the serger out and started to play with it last night…. for some reason one of the needles broke and now I can’t get it rethreaded correctly. Sergers are a mystery to me. A friend of mine is going to help me with it tomorrow – she is a serger genius.
Thanks for the sweet compliments too Wendy. 🙂
Both you and the tee look great, Bernie!
You are so sweet Sarah. Thanks a bunch!
You are amazing!! I love the Tee!
Hi!! I am surprised you are reading blog posts while on your vacation. I love seeing the pictures of you and Randy — they are just gorgeous. Safe travels and enjoy every minute of your vacation. <3
It’s a great top. Great colour too.
Bernie you look soooooooo cute! Love the shirt – you did a really nice job picking the pattern and fabric – and I love the fit. Just my style!
Yep – the fit is nice – very loose and it drapes nicely. Thanks so much Linda.
That shirt looks so comfy! I am so impressed by people who can make clothing. I made one dress in home ec back in high school and that was enough for me. That is a very good picture of you too!
Thanks Janice. Honestly in some ways I prefer making garments – I must have a short attention span because I really like the quick finish. However, I don’t make anything very complicate because fitting a pattern can be a challenge. Have a great week. 🙂
Great top! The color and cut look wonderful on you!
Thank you! I am just starting another one so crossing my fingers it turns out. 🙂
Great top Bernie! I love Me Made May! It really gives me a kick in the tush to use up some of my growing apparel fabric collection & try out all those patterns I collect. I’ve got some things hanging up right now that need fixing & finishing. I have a Singer & a Brother serger – the Brother is definitely my favorite!
It is inspiring, I totally agree. I got my serger out the other day to play with it because I havent used it in a long while. One of the tensions is off on one spool and I can’t get it right. So, back I go to our local sewing repair gal. She is amazing and hopefully can show me what is wrong. Enjoy some sewing Kristie!
you and your shirt look gorgeous! 🙂
The only garment sewing that I ever did was skirts for the grandgirls years and years ago….they DID turn out nicely but I never pursued doing more : (
Bernie, I love the t-shirt and I have been looking for a pattern for one, so thank you for that as well. Can’t wait to see what else you make.
Hi Charlotte, If you make the Blanc t-shirt, will you show me? I would love to see it. I was thinking of doing a brief summer sew-along and whomever was interested could do this simple shirt – what are your thoughts on that?
I have never made a t-shirt. Though years ago, I bought fabric with the neckline ribbing included in a Welcome Back Kotter print. thinking to make a t-shirt for my son. Can you guess how old that makes me? Yikes. I finally took the package apart, used the fabric for dusting rags a few years ago!
That mauve color is yummy! Great job!
Haha, that is funny about the Welcome Back Kotter fabric. Well, at least you made good use of it! The t-shirt was really very easy. Give it a try! I am happy to help you if you’d like. 🙂
I thought you had to have a serger to sew with knits. One of my goals this year was to learn how to make clothing for myself. Every time I have tried to mend knit shirts, I’ve stretched out the seam or hem. Your t-shirt turned out great, and to think you used a regular sewing machine on it. I’m encouraged and want to try it again now. thank you!
Somehow I missed this post but came back here from your T-shirt dress post….this tee is just lovely. I don’t wear tee shirts unless they have a flattering neckline and sleeves. I wish I were still on Facebook to get the pattern….ps…the dress is pretty too, but I LOVE this mauve! You look very pretty!
I am really happy with the mauve t-shirt too because the knit is so soft and it hangs nicely. I actually have a ton of that fabric so I should make another as a dress! Have a great weekend Kathy!