Me Made May 13 - Week 3

There's a saying that if you don't like the weather in New England, wait a minute.  Seriously, this weather has been so schizophrenic that you never know what the temps are going to be like the next day, which has made dressing for Me Made May a little more challenging this year than last in terms of planning out what to wear for the week.  This past week, surprisingly, was easy for me to wear more than my quota of three me-made items for the week - I actually wore five, but I'm only showing four here (need to take final photos of my seahorse skirt!).  I even incorporated a top into my work attire one morning.

What I learned this week: I'm still reaching for the things that I wore last year during Me Made May, which I guess is a good thing, because my style and tastes haven't changed much.  I also have a hankering to throw on my Tiramisu dress quite frequently because of how easy it is to wear.  I better make a couple more for the summer!

Top Row:
Day 1: Tiramisu dress
Day 2: Self-drafted peasant-like top, J Crew cardi, Gap pants

Bottom Row:
Day 3: Scarf (poly chiffon yardage, I finished the edges), Alternative Apparel top
Day 4: Tracy Reese dress

Saturday Sewing: Seahorse Charlotte Mini

I don't think there's ever been a time when I've been able to walk out of Grey's Fabric and Notions without something new, be it fabric or a pattern.  This past Wednesday I went to my first Crafty Foxes Sewing Club at the store and had a great time working on my sewing projects and chatting with other local sewists.  One of the girls that night was wearing a Charlotte skirt and it kind of sealed the deal for me on making one - it  really is the perfect high-waisted pencil skirt and I HAD to make it.  And of course, what's better than a skirt with seahorses???

I'm Teaching! Sultry Sheath Dress Class and Seam Finishes

Last weekend I started my first project from Gertie's New Book for Better Sewing - The Sultry Sheath Dress.  It's coming together nicely and I've only had to do some minor alterations to get the fit right, such as lowering the armholes.  But there's a reason I'm making this dress all of a sudden...

Which brings me to my exciting news - I'm teaching sewing classes next month!  I'm offering two classes at Grey's Fabric and Notions in Boston:

June 1: Seam Finishes - Want a more professional, finished look inside your garments but don't own a serger?  Me too!  In this two-hour workshop, I'll cover different types of seam finishes, from easy to more complex, and we'll discuss what types of garments and seams to use them on.  We'll practice applying different techniques and by the end of the class, you'll have samples to take home with you in a cute little embroidered book.

June 8, 15, 22: Sultry Sheath Dress - Are you a Joan or a Betty? Using the Sultry Sheath Dress pattern, I'll show you how to alter necklines and change skirt silhouettes to create the perfect "Mad Men" style dress, whether you're looking for a slinky, body-conscious shape or more of a full-skirted number.  This class is a three-session class with sewing homework in-between each session.

Come sew with me in Boston!

Me Made May 13 - Week 2

"I, Lucinda of Sew Wrong, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavor to wear at least one me-made item three times a week during May 2013."

So far, so good for Me Made May '13.  This week I seemed to have a penchant for my black and white printed garments, which I've made a lot of - I ran into this last year as well.  I guess I was also hung up on blue and added some blue garments in to give my outfit a pop of color.  I will admit: the "three times a week" thing is challenging me to figure out a way to incorporate a me-made piece into my work wardrobe or at least to put something me-made on when I'm home from work during the week (for those of you who don't know, my work dress code is all black, but I can layer a black cardigan or jacket over a colored top).

From left to right -

Look 1: Jasmine blouse, Beignet skirt
Look 2: Simple knit top (same pattern as this one)
Look 3: Cape Cod cardi, Three Hour dress

Inspiration - Flappers and the 1920's

Last month on Sewcation, my mom and I visited the local art museum to see an exhibit of flapper dresses from the 1920's.  I love seeing historical garments in person - you can really see the details up close and begin to understand all of the time and labor that went into creating clothing long ago (so not the case today).  The timing seemed pretty appropriate since The Great Gatsby (one of my favorite novels) is coming out this weekend; I have a feeling we'll be seeing fashions inspired by the movie in the near future.  Plus, have you seen Miss Crayola Creepy's Great Gatsby Sewing Challenge?  I may jump in late and make a summer dress - frankly, this straight style of dress is easy for me to wear.

Here's a fun fact: flappers got their name from the boots that they wore unbuckled, which was considered in style.  When they walked, the boots made a "flap-flap" noise.  Crazy, right?!

Here's some photos I took of the exhibit (shhh photography wasn't allowed but I used my iPhone):




Because of the discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922, many apparel and jewelry designs reflect the interest in Egyptian culture at the time: colors such as Nile green and lotus motifs were predominant and pharoah-like headbands were in vogue.  I found this green dress interesting - the closure was on the side of the dress and consisted of only a few snaps.  I guess since it's sheer and is worn over an underdress, the closure doesn't have to be that secure?


That dress is 100% all hand beading.  Yeah.  That's hardcore, man.






I loved seeing these McCall's sewing ads.  These were for garments inspired by current Paris fashions that could be copied at home.


More crazy hard-core hand beading on that dress!


This dress was for a day-time party.  The edges on the scallops were turned under and slip stitched with navy blue thread, not a matching color thread, surprisingly.



And of course, an obligitory wedding dress.  The train on the veil was incredibly long!

The next time I go home to visit my family, I'll be seeing the current exhibit: bodices of the Tolouse Lautrec era!  I love costume history so much.