Today is the last day of Me-Made-May.  It’s been a bit (lot?) of a flop for me this year, and I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to contribute more.  I don’t like to whine about being under the weather, but this spring has taken the entire cake for lousy health, and I missed most days this month because of it.  I’ve been shivering and shaking with fevers, and trying to sleep it off.  When I have felt a little better, I’d wander down to my sewing area and work on a stack of projects that are cut and waiting to be sewn. Part of our challenge for this week – it being Friday and every Friday had a theme – was “red”.  My shoes and this dress are my red contributions to the Flickr pool as I truly don’t own anything red – orange, sure, but not red. And looking at this, I’m going to change the top bands (which are completely fell stitched to the strapless lined bodice) out of a complementary red instead of the brown.

Anyways, the second part of our challenge today is to mention what we learned and appreciated.  So here’s my list:

• I don’t have any me-made schlepping around clothes.  I have lots of pretty me-mades in my wardrobe that are great for when sleep and medication are not part of what’s getting me through the day.  This brings up a conundrum:  do I really want to make loungey me-mades?  My answer:  no.  I’ve enjoyed stretching my sewing and venturing into the world of knits and jerseys with various projects but unless a pattern jumps out at me, I don’t care to make up a stack of T-shirts or yoga pants or sweat pants or hoodies when I can buy such great brands like Roots.  I’d much rather spend my sewing time on dresses, trousers, blouses, skirts, coats and other such might-look-or-be-considered-frosting garments.  It’s what I like to sew, and so my schleppy wardrobe will remain RTW.
• I love my gathered-front tops aka Burda 9/2011 #106.  I could make up this pattern forever as an exception to the first point of this list.
• I need red dresses.

I love being part of the me-made challenge each year.  It’s just so much fun to see what other sewistas make and where.  I am impressed by just how normal we all look in our very own clothes.  It’s wonderful to think we do such a good job making our own clothes.  I do hope you all enjoyed participating, if you did, and will join us next time, if you haven’t yet.