What I Did On My Me-Made-May ’12. (Also, my first Me-Made Holiday.) (Also, Dresses 11-14)

May was quite a month. My first Me-Made challenge, which was an absolute blast for me as an annoyingly enthusiastic beginner. Only problem was, I didn’t manage time well, and completely neglected this little bloggy thing. I was either at work, perusing the MMM’12 Flickr page, at a wedding or a funeral, or actually sewing, so was way too busy *doing* to sit and talk about it.

So here’s a little catchup on what I made during the month that I didn’t have time to blather/blog/complain about.

Dress #11. My Blue Heaven.

New Look 6866, view D of many available views. Made from this big ol’ piece of satin from eBay, in an as-yet undetermined print. It’s almost like bizarre ice cream cones and some other weird objects. I just hope they’re not the secret symbols for some weird satanic cult. Anyway, I cut a large, which ended up being another tent like dress #2, but in this case a simple belt would not have helped. I took it in a few times, even curving it in to give a little shape to my waistless body, and I have to say it worked. I like the high neckline and the length, a little different from my usual style. Nice to have some variety, and it’s light enough for plenty of summer wear.

I know, the hem needs SEVERE pressing, but overall it’s refreshing and fun.

Dress #12. Just Say No To Scurvy

Well at some point I fell under the spell of Fabric Mart and its insane sales. I blame Diary of a Sewing Fanatic. At some point during my clicking through the site, I came across this $1.99/yd lemon lime stretch polyester, and knew it had to be mine.

It’s really scrumptious and light, and drapes amazingly. ‘Twill be a summer staple.

Didn’t know what I was going to do with it, and then somehow it spoke to me. Remake Dress #1. For some reason I loathed the idea of playing with already-cut patterns because I’m in a frenzy to constantly make new and better mistakes, but this ended up being inspired. For one thing, it’s more stretchy and forgiving than the satin I used for the original dress, and for another thing, I knew from making the first dress what I needed to do to make it bigger/better. I was able to crank it out in an evening, and I absolutely adore it. I even took the time to install the elastic casing, so I don’t have to wear a belt with it. Always happy to create a decent waist situation.

I adore the matching yellow and green truck.

Dress #13. Lovely Leopards and Leaves

I had started an animal print tradition on MMM Mondays, and really wanted to keep that up, so I got inspired by a chunk of rayon that I got on—surprise!—eBay. It’s a really unique print. It’s leopard print, but only because it’s… a print… with leopards on it. I made a Simplicity 1989 with this heavyish but somehow light enough for summer green stuff, and it was as easy to put together as Simplicity promised on the cover of the pattern, finished in one evening.

So here I am in full animal print (and work ID) regalia, and a leopard skin not-so-pillbox hat in honor of Bob Dylan’s birthday that week:

Dress #14. Sis Boom Jamie (and my Michael Miller mania)

I fell in love with Michael Miller fabric after a Fabric Mart binge, which included this very simple black and white wickeresque lattice-work print. Just the feel of the fabric is luscious to me, let alone the simple yet striking design. Here’s a pic of Simplicity 2917, View E, my new go-to zippered vented darted skirt pattern, just for fun:

When another sale popped up, of course I bought more MM for MMM. So, what to do with this happy brown and pink cotton?–the Sis Boom Jamie dress. I had bought and downloaded the pattern very early in my sewing obsession, before I had sewn one garment but knew I would someday, but none of my fabric jumped out for it. As with all good sewing serendipities, this one just worked out. After fighting with patterns for three months in my self-taught struggle, this pattern was SO fun and easy to make. Every step is clearly explained and photographed. Wow. Why didn’t I make this sooner??!!

Here it is on a 90 degree Memorial Day keeping me cool yet sunny. (I like the guy behind me striking my same pose)

And this is where Me May Made turns into my first Me Made Holiday

On the plane in a not-made-in-May garment, Dress #3:

And frolicking–well, standing–beside the beautiful Gulf of Mexico:

And on the beach at sunset, looking at MMM outfits on Flickr. How romantic:

One more beach pic, wearing also-not-made-in-May Dress #4:

Back to our regularly scheduled Dress #14…

Here’s Sis Boom Jamie at a tremendously cool dockside seafood joint in Cortez, FL:

And in an orchid-enhanced alcove off the patio of our hotel in Anna Maria Island:

More vacation wear shots–a nice Sorbetto (also made in May) for breakfast:

Oh yeah, and the reason I’m on this holiday, my cousin’s high school graduation, to which I wore The Cupcake
Awwww. He’s so cute.

And a few more, as we leave the Sunshine State…

Me in my lemon lime love, and most of a horse:

One last shot. Bye bye, Florida.

I liked this sign

Whew! What a month!! Can’t wait to continue the Me-Made fun on whatever Flickr page Zoe helps set up. In the meantime, if you’re curious, here’s my entire MMM set
Shelley’s Me-Made-May ’12

Thanks as always for reading. This was a long one. If you made it this far, you deserve a medal!!!