Me Made May Week 3

Coming down the straight-away, here are the pix from my third week of Me Made May. Looks like we're in a new weather pattern that's more normal for the Central Coast in May. Mornings are foggy and afternoons are sunny. It's kind of hilarious watching the paper try to come up with new ways to say the same thing: Morning fog clearing to sun; partly cloudy with afternoon sun; clouds then sun, and so on. Temps are staying on the chill side though, so my skirts and dresses have still not had much of a workout.

Monday, May 16

On Monday I went for a morning run and then popped on my beetle dress, because the sun had come out.  This is the Zip Front Dress from Gertie Sews Vintage Casual. There's something I really like about this dress; the zip front makes it feel like overalls in dress form. I keep meaning to make another one, but I haven't managed to schedule it in yet.

Tuesday, May 17

On Tuesday I went for a bike ride along the ocean with some friends from out of town. They bring their black lab, Maddie, along in a trailer attached to the back of one of their bikes. We were the toast of West Cliff Avenue; she's cuter than a button. I wore my bike-worthy stretch denim BS 10-2013-#127, the narrow leg trousers, along with a Christine Johnson V-neck Tee. 

Wednesday, May 18

Wednesday I rode my bike to do a couple of errands around town. I wore my Barb pants and my La Fred square-neck Europa blouse.

Thursday, May 19

Thursday I had a sewing day with my friend Jessica. She kindly took this photo for me with my cell phone and loaned me an adorable prop dog. I wore one of my stable of Kirsten Kimono Tees and an Alabama Chanin skirt. I like these skirts; they're fitted at the waist and hip and then flare out towards the knees. They're very comfortable to wear and also simple as can be to sew up; one of these days I'm going to actually embellish one.

My sewing day resulted in an almost Finished Object. A few more pieces of elastic to apply and I'll have something new to show! Whoot whoot!

Friday, May 20

Friday I rode my bike over to do some reading tutoring at the elementary school. It was windy as all get-out. I'm sure part of the time I was moving in reverse, despite pedaling as hard as I could. It sure was pretty though; scudding clouds and splashes of sun and clear as a bell. I wore my biking favorites, the stretch denim BS 10-2013-#127s and one of my Maria Denmark Edith blouses. This is another woven top that's pretty fitted but still easy to move around in.

Last Saturday's picture, but I wore exactly the same thing this Saturday

Saturday, no picture, but here's the photo from last week because I wore exactly the same thing. Zoe and I had Furry Friends again in the morning, so I wore my working shirt. I was going to change when I got home and pretend I dressed a lot smarter than I really did, but I met my friend Martha for lunch and by the time I got back to the house the moment for re-outfitting had passed. The pants are Me Made though; my old friends BS 10-2013-#127. The dog hair colored ones.

Sunday, May 22

Today (Sunday) I rode over to DeLaveaga Park to meet my friend, Therese, for a hike to the Top of the World. I wore an old pair of (yes, you guessed it) BS 10-2013-#127 and my plaid flannel Archer. There's actually a Kirsten Kimono Tee on under there too. It was cloudy and chilly when we started out, but things were breaking up nicely by the time we got to our destination. My landscape pictures are never as nice as the real thing, but here's a cell phone snap of the view from the Top of the World.

The view from the Top of the World

So, we're about two thirds of the way through May. I can sure tell which patterns are my work horses: Renfrews, Kirsten Kimono Tees and good old BS 10-2013-127. I promise I'll try to get more creative as we cruise through to June!

Me Made May The End

Monday I met my friend, Martha, for a dog walk and sewing show-and-tell. She took up sewing again a couple of weeks ago and she's been going gangbusters! She loaned me a couple of patterns I need to take a look at. I wore my Burdastyle 70's pants and a Burdastyle gathered shoulder tee.

Tuesday was a work day. I wore my Kicking Up the 80's pants, an Alabama Chanin tee and a Summer Cardi from Knitting Pure and Simple.

Wednesday was another work day. I wore my Beetle Dress (the zip front dress from Gertie Sews Vintage Casual). This is a very easy dress to wear. I went for a hike at lunch and was totally comfortable.

Thursday was an at-home day. I wore my good old Burdastyle Straight Pants (I wear these all the time, it's a great pattern), a Kirsten Kimono tee and the Summer Cardi again. So far, this has been the kind of summer that requires a cardi.

Friday I wore my Burdastyle Pajama Style Pants and a sleeveless shell I knitted years ago. My photographer was worried you'd all be getting bored of seeing the front door, so he set me up taking a sighting through an antique compass.

Saturday I sewed most of the day - ahhh. Just what the doctor ordered. I almost forgot to take a snapshot, so I'm afraid it's a cell-phone selfie. I wore my Burdastyle 70's trousers and another Burdastyle gathered shoulder tee.

Sunday was another at-home day. I wore my khaki Burdastyle Narrow Leg Pants with a woven tee I made long ago. Plus - me made undies!

Whew! That's Me Made May done and dusted. Now that I've been sewing for a few years I usually wear a me-made wardrobe, but my day-to-day dressing is pretty repetitive. Like, even more repetitive than what you've seen here. Me Made May gets me thinking about things I haven't worn for a while. It also gets me to think about putting things together a bit differently. That knitted shell, for example. I'd forgotten about that top and it's actually kind of cute.

And - it makes me realize I need to go through my closet and drawers to get rid of things that are getting tired to make way for the fruits of my stashbusting!

Experiments in Undergarments

I’ve been wanting to try making my own undies for a while now, but somehow I hadn’t gotten around to it. Then, just when I needed a kick in the pants (ha ha), along came the Stashbusting Sewalong’s Lingerie theme.

My old standby undies are the High Leg Brief by Victoria’s Secret. Back in the day, that style used to come up to my waist – or pretty close, anyway. Now that a lower rise is so popular in the RTW world, Victoria’s waistband has been migrating downwards. I find that a line of elastic across my high hip cuts right into my chub. VPL for sure.

Now that I have a few me-made knit skirts and trousers that I like to wear, I’m all about the smooth silhouette. 

In fact, my goal is to avoid elastic altogether. On top of disliking the chub-compression properties of elastic, my frugality gene came into play. I like the idea of making undies out of scraps and nothing but scraps. How sweet would it be if I could come up with a plan that didn’t involve purchasing any special elastics or findings?

One of my favorite sewing ladies (who, sadly, hasn’t been posting recently) is Loran of Loran’s World. She wrote a great post about sewing lingerie and active wear using self-fabric bands rather than elastic. She used to sew dance wear this way, and I figure if it works for a dancer, it’s going to stay put just fine for me. 

Burdastyle 01/2012, #127

I hauled out the high-waisted panty pattern from the January, 2012 issue of Burdastyle. I remember thinking the pattern was pretty cute when I first got this issue, but I was put off by the zipper called for in the instructions. Zippers in undies just seems like too much . . . something. But if I made the undies out of a stretchy knit I could probably omit that puppy, just like I’d omit the zipper from a knit dress.

And bingo!

I test-drove the undies yesterday and they felt pretty good. Meaning that I didn’t notice them at all. The knit bands that substituted for elastic did their job, though I think the cut of these undies helps minimize any creep factor.

Plus I think they look pretty cute. I’m too dignified to post a photo. Imagine me modeling these undies, but looking more like Betty Grable than I actually do.

For this trial pair I used some scraps of cotton jersey left over from making tee shirts for The Man. Fabric constraints inspired me to make my first attempt at color blocking. I kind of like it! Maybe I can flex my color-blocking muscles with underwear and then move on to outerwear.

I initially cut the size 36, as suggested by my measurements. The pattern is designed for a stretch woven, so I thought I wouldn’t downsize immediately. I ended up retracing the pattern in the smallest size. I think I’ll try to size it down a bit more next time, just because I’m used to the feeling of a snugger fit for underwear.

I like this style enough that I to make up several more pairs. I may just go a bit wild with the fabric combos. I have some black lace that would be fun for those side panels.

Have a hankering to try some lingerie sewing yourself? Obsessive Creativeness has a plethora of tutorial and free pattern links here!

My pattern review is on PatternReview.com here.

Me Made May Week Four

Monday I walked downtown with the dog and did a few errands, so it was a pair of Burdastyle straight pants and a Kirsten Kimono Tee.

Tuesday was a work day, and chilly to boot, so I wore a pair of 40's Retro Trousers (Simplicity 3688) and my spotty Santa Monica Tee. I just bought some fabric to make another pair of these trousers. The two I have are getting pretty beat up, and I really like this pattern!

Wednesday was another work day.  Word on the street was that it was going to get sunny in the afternoon, so I wore an Alabama Chanin skirt and a top I knitted years ago, using Madeline Tosh yarn and a pattern from Custom Knits by Wendy Bernard.

Thursday my Great Pyrenees, Zoe, and I did a Stress Relief visit with Furry Friends, our pet assisted therapy group. We went out to Scotts Valley High with about 6 other dogs to meet the students at their lunch hour. The kids were adorable, and they threw themselves on the dogs like they were starved for love. It was a cold, drizzly day, so I spent the afternoon drying out in front of the fire in my old friends, my Burdastyle straight pants, and my Furry Friends uniform shirt.

Friday I went to a gourd decorating class with my friend, Jessica. What a great way to spend the day! Our teacher, Carmen, was wonderful. There were three other students and we chatted away about all sorts of things while dying, carving and decorating our gourds. I wish I had pictures of the other gourds - it was so fun to see how different they all turned out! It was still grey and chilly most of the day, so I wore a Renfrew cowl neck tee with my Barb pants.

Me and my gourd

Saturday Zoe and I visited a nursing home with Furry Friends and then went for a dog walk with her pals, Hitchcock and Griffith (and my friends Therese and Maurice). We hiked up into a park behind our house and lucked into some of the prettiest weather we've had all week. I wore my Burdastyle straight pants again, along with yet another Renfrew. This particular pair of pants is one of my favorites, partly because they're comfortable and partly because the fabric seems to repel dog hair more successfully than most of my other clothes. When you have a Great Pyrenees, a lot of your wardrobe decisions are driven by dog hair.

Sunday we had a lazy morning, then cleaned house and went to they gym in the afternoon. I wore my Bagua pants and yet another Renfrew. Have I gotten my money's worth out of this pattern, or what? And I plan to make more. I love the neckline variations and those 3/4 length sleeves are so darn practical.

Me Made May, Week Three

On Monday I mucked around in the yard wearing an ancient woven tee and my Burdastyle 10/2013-127a (Straight Pants). I think it's almost end time for this tee. The fabric is fraying around the neckline and hems. I'll be sad to see it go. It's made from the leftovers from a set of place mats I made for The Man probably more than 10 years ago.

Tuesday was a work day. I wore an Alabama Chanin tee along with a pleated skirt made from a Kaffe Fasset fabric I got at Jimmy Bean's in Reno. I made up the pleating myself in an attempt to use all of the fabric I could. Sadly, my math skills failed me. I have a couple of odd tucks on either side where I had to get rid of some excess to squeeze on the waistband. Luckily, you can't really tell, given how busy the print is.

Wednesday was another work day. I was planning on a lunchtime walk with some friends so I had to dress outdoor-friendly. I went for my brown ponte Barb pants and a cotton sweater I knitted years ago.

Thursday we went to bagua in the morning and then I grocery shopped and knitted in the afternoon. I wore a Burdastyle gathered sleeve tee with my denim Burdastyle Pajama Style Pants.

On Friday I cleaned house, so I went for comfort and easy mobility. I wore my bagua pants and an old Kirsten Kimono Tee.

On Saturday we went up to San Francisco for the Bay to Breakers. It was chilly and grey most of the day - the weather we call "June Gloom" on the Central Coast. I wore my Burdastyle Straight Pants again, along with a Christine Johnson V-neck Tee. I topped it off with my Minoru and felt cozy. We did some quality carbo loading and I found the time to squeeze in a visit to Britex. I found a piece of scuba knit to make another Gertie pencil skirt.

On Sunday I ran the race at 8:00 and spent the rest of the day collapsed on the couch, wearing yet another pair of Burdastyle Straight Pants and my Bay to Breakers tee.

What I learned this week: on a day to day basis I tend to wear the same things over and over. That's even during Me Made May, when I make an effort to attain a higher standard.

I also see that I haven't yet produced anything in the categories of clothing that I wanted to focus on for Me Made May; undies and active wear. Time to get on the stick!

Me Made May, Week Two

Monday is so long ago that I can't seem to remember what the heck I did, but it looks like I did it wearing one of my Kirsten Kimono Tees and a pair of Burdastyle 10/2013-127a (Straight Pants). I've made this pants pattern four times now. It's my go-to basic trouser pattern.

Tuesday was a work day and also a party day. I met some friends at a local brew pub to celebrate launching the second phase of our project. Beer and calamari all around! I wore my new Gertie Knit Pencil Skirt with a Burdastyle Dolman Sleeve top.

Wednesday was another work day. I wore an Alabama Chanin tee with my 80's pants. My photo editing software is pretty good, but apparently it can't iron.

Thursday The Man left early for a quick out-of-town trip, so I was on my own for photos. This is my attempt at a cell phone selfie. Oh wow, it's so dark that I can't really tell what I had on. I think it was a pair of Burdastyle Straight Pants and my black Christine Johnson V-Neck Tee. It was a bit chilly and rainy that day and the high neck felt nice and cozy. I putzed around the house and had my friend, Martha over for dinner. She's been sucked into sewing (mwah ha ha) so we had a delightful crafty chat.

Cell phone selfie

Friday I picked up The Boy, who very sweetly flew up to see me for Mother's Day. We walked around downtown Santa Cruz so I could check to see if the May Burdastyle was in the bookstore. It wasn't, darn it. I'm wearing the same Burdastyle Straight Pants as yesterday with my spotty Renfrew cowl neck and my Minoru.

Photo credit to The Boy and my iPhone

Saturday started out foggy and grey and then turned sunny and beautiful in the afternoon. The Boy and I went out for a huge breakfast at Zachery's and then wandered about enjoying the day. I wore my brown Barb pants with a red Renfrew cowl neck.

The Boy took this one too.

Today we made waffles for breakfast and then I dropped The Boy off at the airport.  I also bought myself a new pair of running shoes for the Bay to Breakers next weekend. I'm wearing my Burdastyle Pajama Style Pants and, yes, another Renfrew.

Me Made May is teaching me that I wear a lot of Renfrews. And I haven't even tried the V-neck version yet!

Holiday Cheer

Now that the day is passed and my me-made gifts have been delivered, here's a quick rundown.

I made a couple of Maria Denmark Kirsten Tees for friends. This shirt is so easy to wear and looks good on most anyone, so I figured they might enjoy them.

 

I also sewed up a couple sets of pot holders

And knit a ruffly scarf for the son's girlfriend.

The boys seemed to like their quilts as well as any 20-something man could be expected to.

nephew wrapped in quilt

 

son taking quilt for a test drive

Hope the holidays brought you plenty to smile about!

Zoe being petted to a fare-the-well at the Pause for Paws event up on campus

The Traveller Returns

After 16 days and 5,000 miles The Man and I are back in Santa Cruz. We visited family in Rochester, Minnesota (Hi Jeanne! Hi Kate! Hi Charlie!) and in Chicago (Hi Mick! Hi Isabella!), we visited a couple of beautiful national parks and monuments and we came too close for comfort to a tornado in Salina, Kansas.

Cheyenne, Wyoming

It was a great trip, though we both think we're getting a little old for those long-driving days.

My grandmother's house in Lewiston, Minnesota

I took an entirely me-made travel wardrobe, which I won't bore you with. You saw everything already during Me Made May. I can report that I had all the outfits I needed, and more. Also that skirts and tee-shirts are a great option for a summer road trip.

Besides the good times with family, the highlights were visits to Cahokia Mounds in southern Illinois and Zion National Park in Utah.

Cahokia was the largest city in North America in pre-Columbian times. It was larger than London was in AD 1250, covering 6 square miles with a population up to 20,000.

Birdman, found on a sandstone tablet at Cahokia

What's left today are mounds of earth that were built up one basket at a time. They were used as platforms for houses and ceremonial buildings.

Monk's Mound, 100 feet tall and covering 14 acres. That's a lot of baskets of earth.

It's a world heritage site and is so worth a visit if you're anywhere in the area. It's just 15 minutes from St. Louis, Missouri.

St. Louis from the top of Monk's Mound

Zion National Park is about half an hour from St. George, Utah.

Lower Emerald Pool - you can walk under the waterfall and get as wet as you want to

Zion has a lot of the canyon drama of some of the bigger parks in the area, but it's small enough to explore in a day or two, and it's got some green, which is like a refreshing miracle in the middle of the desert.

Looking down the canyon on the Riverside Hike

The Riverside Hike leads to The Narrows, which most everyone has seen pictures of. The canyon walls keep moving together as you walk up the Virgin River until you end up walking in the water, reaching out to touch both walls at once.

 Dramatic and very beautiful. And, I was happy to see, full of happy travellers speaking many different languages.


We spent our last night in Las Vegas. I'm a sucker for the lights.