(This post has been updated from it’s original posting date to include additional information)
Did you know that May is a month to celebrate sewing? Me-Made May was launched in 2010 on the blog So Zo, What Do You Know? and has been gathering attention every year since.
It began as a personal sewing challenge encouraging makers and sewists to set aside the month of May to get creative by styling and wearing their handmade garments instead of making or buying more. Over the years, it has grown into many things for many people.
Many will post photos of their creations on instagram #memademay, but it’s really is an individual challenge. Each person is encouraged to set their own intentions for the month.
(This post has been updated from it’s original publishing date.)
Bloom
by Debra VanDeventer
A Mariposa Lily
emerges from a crack in a granite rock
and bursts into bloom.
It ignored the voice that said
lilies aren’t supposed to do that.
The piece of goldenrod linen had been in my fabric stash for months. Today I got it out and spread it on the cutting table. I decided it would make a nice pair of wide leg pants from the Emerson pattern I have on hand. The fabric is perfect for spring and summer. But before I make the first cut, I hesitate. The voice in my head challenges me. Fear says:
The piece of goldenrod linen had been in my fabric stash for months. Today I got it out and spread it on the cutting table. I decided it would make a nice pair of wide leg pants from the Emerson pattern I have on hand. The fabric is perfect for spring and summer. But before I make the first cut, I hesitate. The voice in my head challenges me. Fear says:
Hi friends! If you’ve been following Seams Like a Story, you know I often turn to sewing when I need a creative break from writing. https://seamslikeastory.com/writing-and-sewing/ Today I’m getting inspiration from my closet, and a fun, no-sew project.
It’s that in-between season. I’m ready to shed my heavy winter clothes but not quite ready for summer styles. Today I raided my closet and found an old pair of capri jeans and a tee shirt, ususally an outfit reserved for stay-at-home days. The jeans are pull on “jeggings” that I’m pretty sure are out of style. They’re comfortable, but I feel kind of dumpy in them.
Before tossing them in the donate pile, I did some research on Pinterest and found that with a no-sew, simple modification I could easily update them. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/485896247291178984/
As the weather turns cooler, even in Arizona, I think about layers of soft fabric.
“The experience of creative living argures that hobbies are in fact essential to the joyful life. There is the hidden benefit that they are also creatively useful. Many hobbies involve a form of artist-brain mulling that leads to enormous creative breakthroughs. …Sewing has a nice way of mending up plots.” -Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way
SEAMS Like a Story
My sewing/writing studio is designed to accomodate my creative impulses when they strike.
If you’re new to my blog, you might be wondering about the name. Why “seams”? Shouldn’t it be “seems?” In fact, when my son-in-law helped me secure the domain, he suggested I acquire both names.
When I first retired from teaching, I wanted to pursue my two passions/hobbies: sewing and writing, and my blog Seams Like a Story was born. I find my two passions to be compatable, both contributing to my creative process.
For this project I chose a pumpkin-colored flannel fabric to make up the simple Dress #2 from 100 Acts of Sewing
Both writing and sewing begin with a plan, an idea, a spark of inspiration. Where writing pieces together words to create stories, the act of sewing involves the extra senses of touch and sight, colors, and textures as I piece together a garment.
Problem Solving
Rushed through this seam on the neck facing. Sewed it at 1/2 inch instead of 1/4 inch. Fortunately, I caught it in time. Thank goodness for seam rippers!
I’m halfway through a story or a sewing project and something’s not working. Time to rip out seams, sentences, words. Edit, revise. Take time to make it better. Try it on for size.
Unblock Your Creativity
It happens. Somedays the words don’t flow or I just can’t face the blank page. The act of sewing activates a different part of my brain and gives me a fresh perspective. Often, getting the creative juices flowing while sewing will jump start my writing. “Creative breakthroughs” Julia Cameron calls them. (for more ideas on overcoming writer’s block see http://seamslikeastory.com/4-ways-to-move-through-writers-block )
My new flannel dress is comfy and cozy , perfect for a writing day, critique group meeting, or lunch out with friends.
Threads of Thought
Activities like sewing, painting, gardening, quilting, woodworking, writing, photography, interior decorating, cooking,….. contribute to living a joyful, creative life.
Denim shorts…Emerson Pant and Short Pattern from True Bias, Cap-sleeved top…Bondi Top from Sew to Grow
Capsule Wardrobe
One of my goals for this year’s Me-Made May celebration was to create a summer capsule wardrobe ( a limited selection of interchangeable clothing pieces that complement each other) featuring handsewn garments I’d made over the past few years. I wanted to eliminate the “I have a closet full of clothes with nothing to wear” syndrome that would usually lead me on a shopping spree. Don’t get me wrong, I love to go shopping, but this year I was curious to see if I could get by with less. With the addition of a few non-handsewn items that I already had, and three new sewing projects this month, I was able to come up with a 15 piece capsule wardrobe that should meet my needs all summer long!
Getting Started
I had read that the key to a good capsule wardrobe begins with a foundation of neutral colors. Going through my closet, I found that I already had some pants and shorts in black, beige. Sticking with these basic colors, I added in some denim, white, and printed tops. Nothing was thrown out, but the items that didn’t make the cut went into a box in the spare bedroom (my emergency stash in case I discovered I couldn’t really live with 15 items!!) I did not purchase any new clothing pieces, but I bought fabric to make 2 white tees in different sleeve lenghts and a pair of denim shorts. Here are my 15 items:
The Bottoms
Emerson Pant and Short Pattern by True Bias
Wide- legged pants in black stretch denim Emmerson Pant and Short pattern by True Bias
Jeans from JJill
The Tops
Willow Tank Pattern by Grainline Studios in Rayon floral print and polka dot cotton
Black cap-sleeved tee (not handsewn) and white Bondi Top Patten by Sew to Grow
3/4 sleeve striped tee from Old Navy and white tee (made my own patten for this)
White cotton peasant top from TJ Maxx
Finishing Touches
New Look Pattern N6651 out of navy blue rayon
My live-in cotton sweater(several years old) from TJ Maxx
well worn, but still functional Vans and sandals (didn’t count these in the 15 items…)
Pop of Color
Emerson Pant by True Bias
Just in case I get bored with my neutrals, at the last minute I added these wide-legged pants in Goldenrod linen to my capsule wardrobe.
ready for summer
So there you have it! My 15 piece summer capsule wardrobe!
..as an added bonus, my capsule wardrobe fits into a carry-on…just in case…..
a trip in my future????
Threads of Thought
Even if you don’t sew, check out what you already have and create a summer wardrobe of your own! You might just surprise yourself!
