The challenge continues...

I really must finish sewing for this Grandbaby as I sooo need to get some things made for myself.  I've been trying to work on a few things but feel I'm getting nowhere fast.  So there's nothing spectacular here.  I fear you've seen it all before.  I have so many projects lined up it's going to take all Winter and beyond to get through them but I need them NOW!  Ohhh... how will find the time?

Day 9

I spent the day running errands and sewing for the baby who is now overdue.  I really must get it finished or the baby will arrive before I'm done.

Details:
Top; Simplicity 4076 details here
Skirt; Target
Belt; Target
Sandals; Target

Day 10

Details:
Top; Kwik Sew 3617 details and my review of this pattern here
Jeans; Sussan had for years and they are really looking faded and need to be replaced
Belt; Tempt

Day 11

Today's photo mini challenge was ugly places.  I certainly think this fits.  I found this in the car parking area behind where my DD works.  

But then this was directly opposite and I couldn't decide which was uglier.  You have to wonder about that sign though.  Could parking here mean that your car may be covered in graffiti when you return.  Mmm...I wonder - I don't think I'll take the risk.  Hehehe.

Details:
Top; Susanne Grae
T-shirt; Susanne Grae
Skirt; Butterick 3438 made last winter
Scarf; Sportsgirl
Tights; Bonds
Boots; missM from Faulls Shoes
Bag; Katies

Day 12

Kushka decided he wanted to be in the photo today.

Details:
Top; Kwik Sew 3338 details here
Cardigan; Target
Jeans; Susanne Grae
Shoes; Rivers

At this stage of the me-made month I'm feeling that I don't have anything to wear.  Most of my things are too dressy for my current lifestyle and probably wont be worn during this challenge.  I'll have to re-think my wardrobe needs and start sewing more suitable garments.

Is anyone else feeling that their clothing doesn't fit their lifestyle?

Thinking about it...

I've realized in the past week how our clothing needs change with different lifestyles.  While trying to select handmade outfits to wear for May I find that my clothes are no longer appropriate for my new lifestyle.  Instead of working in an environment where I wore relaxed business wear I now wear a uniform to work which leaves me with very few causal clothes.  A situation which needs to be given some thought over the next few weeks.  Mmmm... what do I need?

Here's a recap of my last few days wearing handmade things.

Day 5

I missed the fun on Flickr taking a photo incorporating food/eating/cooking yesterday so thought I would catch up today.  This is yet another top from Kwik Sew 3617 but I think it's time to move on as everything is starting to look the same.

Details:
Top; Top; Kwik Sew 3617 details and my review of this pattern here
Cardigan; Target
Skirt; Cannabrava bought from Unik
Tights; Bonds
Boots; Target

Day 7

I was making this top for my DIL's 30th birthday back in September but unfortunately I ran into a fit issue and it wasn't finished in time.  I have worn it several times since but haven't blogged about it.  The fabric is some I've had for years and every time I saw it in my stash I thought to myself  "I can't imagine why I bought this" but it seemed so perfect for this top.  I have no idea what the fabric is but I can say that it doesn't need ironing.  It's quite a thick woven fabric and has the feel of microfibre or something similar and it was a dream to sew.  You can't really tell the colour from this photo but it's black white and coffee.  There's also a black ribbon belt that goes with it but somehow didn't seem appropriate for casual wear.

Details:
Top; New Look 6808 - not blogged
Jeans; Target, had for several years

Day 8

OMG!! Obviously having a bad hair day, something I didn't realize until I uploaded this photo but meh... we all have them, don't we?  I wish I had known how bad it looked before I went to an appointment this morning 'cos I would've tied it up to save embarrassing myself. 

Details:
Top; Kwik Sew 3338
Cami; Target
Jeans; Sussan, had for several years
Thongs; Havaianas

Wow, it's that time again.  Me-Made-May '12 is upon us already.  How fast did that come around?  Being a nosey parker I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone else is wearing over on the Flickr Group.  Not so sure I'm looking forward to taking photo's every day again though.  You know, I think it'll be a huge challenge for me this time as I don't want to bore you with the same things I wore in the last challenge but in reality I have not done a lot of sewing so fear you will see many things over again.  Having said that, I believe the purpose of  these challenges is to get us wearing the things we make instead of having them languish in the back of our wardrobes which means that I will be wearing previously seen garments.  So as not to bore you I think I will only post daily outfits when it's something new otherwise I will group a few days together.


Day 1

Ladies Day at the Races

 

Today was Ladies Day, the first day of the May Racing Carnival  and Jacqui (my daughter, in case you can't tell) and I are going to the Ladies Luncheon.  A day at the races requires a somewhat dressy outfit and I decided to try some colour blocking which I think worked quite well. My dress is made from  McCalls 7440, view C.  I've had this pattern since about 1998. (I found measurements for both of my DD's dated 1998 inside the envelope.)  I've made this dress before but this is the first time for myself. The pattern is designed for woven fabric but I chose to ignore this and used Ponte Roma, a knit fabric, as the weather is starting to turn cold and a thicker fabric was needed for warmth.  I don't think using a knit instead of a woven made any difference as I didn't want a skin tight fit anyway.  I didn't even reduce the amount of ease.  I made a few alterations raising the neckline and adding in the waist detail.  I also added a black detail with some frog closures on the front shoulder but my hair is covering it so it's not visible.  I can see now from the photo that I should have taken more time to check the fit as it looks a little large in the front shoulder area.  Mmmm... I guess it pays not to leave it to the last minute but I just couldn't decide on the colour for the middle panel.

A fascinator is also a major part of any outfit for the races.  Talk about leaving things to the last minute.  Again the dress colour choice delayed construction.  It's my own design and I put the finishing touches on it about an hour before leaving. Phew...made it just in time!

 

Two views of my fascinator worn to the May Races.  A very big three day racing carnival here.

Details:
Dress; McCalls 7440, view C modified to raise the neckline adding waist and shoulder details
Fascinator; My own design
Bag; A gift from Italy
Shoes; Bonbons from Faulls Shoes

Day 2

I've finally been forced to work out how the remote works on the camera.  I think I didn't do a bad job but I really need to find the tripod instead of using the furniture in spaces that aren't really suitable.  I had to crop the hell out of the photo to get rid of all the unwanted background. Nothing new here as far as the clothes go.  The red top is a favourite seen before.  Here I'm having a day of rest after the races and enjoying the sunset.

Details:
Top; Simplicity 4076 details here
Jacket; Suzanne Grae several years old
Jeans; Target also several years old

Day 3 - Nothing me made today.  I wore a uniform to work and them slummed around at home in old clothes.

Day 4

Another day just running some errands and doing not much else before heading off to work.  Mmm... I really need to find the tripod

Details:
Top; Kwik Sew 3617 details and my review of this pattern here
Cardigan; Tempt
Jeans; Target also several years old

So many things

So many things to make... so little time in which to make them...

With my first grandchild due in about three weeks I really need to get some sewing done.  I've been planning what I want to make, have purchased a pattern for one project and fabric for another but haven't even made a start yet.  Panic is setting in.  Will I get anything made before the impending arrival?

The pattern I've chosen is McCalls 5963.  It's sooo cute - don't you think?  I'm going to make view A, the bunting but can't find any fabric suitable when I don't know if it's a boy or girl.  I will make a decision as I can't leave it any longer or it wont be done in time.  Mmmm... Better get to the shops!

Bunting for 'Jellybean

I have also been going through my wardrobe, as you do when the weather starts to turn and found that I'm really in need of some more winter pajamas.  I really don't think the ones I have would qualify as winter pj's any more... most are more than a little thin and falling apart but meh...they're comfy!

Cosy Flanelette

Anyways, I purchased me some lovely warm flanelette to make the pants.  Ya know, I do love the warmth flanelette gives for the pants but I much prefer a t-shirt top to wear with them, don't you? I think it's much less restrictive but I had no luck with a cotton t-shirt fabric for the tops.  Hey, there's no rush - at this rate they'll be finished by 2013 - maybe. lol.

In the meantime Karen from Did You Make That decided to have a "Pajama Party" and I'm thinking I wanna go to this party - what a great way for me to get them made.  If only I can find some fabric for the tops.


And what's more... I've been waiting with anticipation for Me-Made-May '12.  I enjoy the challenge of wearing items made by my own hands every day.  And... lets face it, I need a kick start to get some sewing done. What with moving and a new job I haven't done any sewing since before Christmas.  I have however, bought fabric with good intentions but nothing to show for it yet.

Sooo........ without further ado I pledge

I, Shelly of Shelly's DIY Style, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '12. I endeavour to wear at least one item made by me each day for the duration of May 2012'

Now, I really need to be getting some sewing done not sitting here at the computer.