Day 31 (Poor day 31, all by itself :-P) - "Lilly Alligator" dress - for a day out with Brandon - I saved this one for the end for two reasons: 1. I was terrified it wasn't going to fit! My post-surgery diet hasn't been as healthy as I like since chewing is harder now and high-maintenance. Luckily, it's been getting better so, my dress turned out not to be a problem :) 2. I wanted to end the month on a high note. I love this dress! This was the four version of this pattern so the fit is pretty good. I love the lace and the high-quality (Lilly!) fabric. The print is almost ridiculous (alligators and mini-flowers!) but, so cute and the colors are similar enough that, in my opinion anyway, it isn't loud. Oh, and it's turquoise. Need I say more? So, yeah, I still love this dress!
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| Dress: McCalls 4440, Purse: Coach (vintage), Shoes: Clarks |
Final Thoughts:
I'm particularly grateful for Me-Made-May this year. Not only did I get to test my wardrobe ideas and be inspired by lots of new sewcialists, but, it also kept me blogging. I've been very self-conscious since my jaw surgery so, I haven't been up for taking my normal photos for all my new makes. One photo at a side angle was boring but, a lot easier. It's getting better now though so, hopefully I can resume my regularly scheduled blogging soon :)
This year, I pledged 5 items per week. Save for one day where a migraine got in the way, I succeeded! :-D
What did I learn?
- I'm on the right track! I'm learning what styles/colors/fabrics I prefer and I'm choosing those over things I may like but, won't wear. All of my recent makes have been successes! (Not all perfect, mind you but, successes.)
- I really do prefer separates. I like my dresses. I do. And, I want to make more. But, on a day-to-day basis, I like to keep things a little more casual. Separates also mean I can wear prints without them wearing me (it's a personal preference but, I tend to feel overwhelmed by allover prints). Going forward, I need to add shorts and simple tops (mostly woven) to my queue, as well as continuing to replicate my already loved pieces (semi-circles forever!)
- I still haven't learned how to accessorize. Reading previous round-ups, this was something I've been trying to work on but, I'm easily intimidated by larger pieces. Meh, I think I'm good with my simple jewelry.
What will I do next year?
- Expand on this year's successes. Next year, I hope to be able to up my challenge to a me-made item every day! Now that I know I'm on the right track with all of my new makes, I think I'll get there. There will be a lot of woven separates in my future, as well as some more knits, particularly t-shirts and yoga-wear. Eventually, the goal will be to wear 100% me-made.
- Choose a comfortable, consistent method for documenting. I previous years, I've been disappointed that I allow MMMay photos to be "lazier". Honestly, I think it's better that way. I would like to find a uniform way to do it though. Perhaps Instagram? I saw a lot of fellow me-made-Mayers using that application for their daily shots and I liked it. It's quick, easy, and consistent. Now that I'm nailing my style down a bit more too, I think less text would ok too. I just have to learn how to take a proper selfie :-P
- Add Brandon to the mix. I've hoped to do this before but, my sewjo comes and goes and life gets in the way. Hopefully, I'll have a chance to make him a few things this year so he can participate too.
So, that's another Me-Made-May done. I had fun, as always, and am even more inspired to keep creating!
Happy sewing! x
Previous posts:
Me-Made-May '14: My Pledge
Me-Made-May '14: Week 1
Me-Made-May '14: Week 2
Me-Made-May '14: Week 3
Me-Made-May '14: Week 4
Me-Made-May '14: Week 5
Previous posts:
Me-Made-May '14: My Pledge
Me-Made-May '14: Week 1
Me-Made-May '14: Week 2
Me-Made-May '14: Week 3
Me-Made-May '14: Week 4
Me-Made-May '14: Week 5
That dress is absolutely beautiful, and you look amazing! I love all your MMM outfits - it's so inspirational seeing what you've done :) I'm hopeless at accessorizing too - maybe we can make minimalism a "thing" LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Amanda!! I'm glad I'm not the only one who has trouble with that - yes! Let's just own our minimalism :-)
ReplyDeleteI remember when you first posted this dress, I love it! It's good to know that you consider this one of your favorites.
ReplyDeleteNow you have to decide what to do with your non favorites. Will they get scrapped or reworked? No sense hanging onto them if they don't make you feel good and you don't want to wear them. Lucky for you, that is not very many pieces :)
Thanks! I'm such a sucker for Lilly - I think this one's going to be around for quite awhile. :)
ReplyDeleteFortunately, your right - not too many garments actually have to be "dealt with". Even most of what didn't make it into me-made-may is still in the 'keep' pile. (Some of it was too dressy, others I was concerned about fit but, that's temporary, and then, of course, some just wasn't weather appropriate.) Anything that I've actually decided against will likely get cut apart for notions and muslin scraps or pocket fabric. I've considered donating them but, they're earlier makes and the insides aren't neat.
This is the perfect red! I was wondering which Jaquard idye red you used? true red or crimson? would you mind posting the colour? Thanks so much, such a gorgeous dress!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa!! Luckily, I still had the invoice from Dharma Trading in my email (!) - I used color 413 "Crimson" :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!! I will definitely be dying some things that colour. Such a beautiful deep red, I hope that you have had some wonderful evenings in that gorgeous dress, it is certainly a stunner.
ReplyDelete