I’ve had a monumentally drainingingly busy work week, so am catching up now (this might mean that I post a bit more frequently this week as I have sooo much to tell you!).  And I have also not been able to keep up with blog reading too – but that will soon right itself.

Anyway, I thought it about time I posted some more Me Made Outfits first of all.

May 6th

Bank holiday !  And sunshine (surely statistically this is an anomaly in the British Isles!!).  I have to confess that for a few hours of the day I was lying in a non me-made bikini on my sunlounger in the garden.  I really should get on with my sewlution (making a vintage style swimsuit).

 What I wore when not on the sunlounger:

• Built by Wendy cap sleeved t-shirt
• Vintage 50s high waisted denim shorts (which for info I always wear with the waistband folded over.  Just can’t be doing with it that high).
• Me Made undies (assume this is the case unless I ‘fess up)

May 7th

The sun was still amongst us, but I knew it would be short lived, & therefore needed to dig out my summer dresses asap.  Want to hear something funny (or shameful if you interpret it that way)?  I unpacked all of my summer clothes from their winter hibernation but could not find some of my dresses, tops & skirts.  I ransacked the spare “suit” wardrobe that is used for rarely worn clothes, posh or just out of favour because they are not made by me.  But no.  They had evaporated.  It took me a-g-e-s to work out where they were.  Want a photo pause to guess?

They were all in my ironing basket from September last year!  Hahaha!

What I wore:

• Sewaholic Cambie polka dot dress
• Simplicity 2154 cardigan

May 8th

The sun had gone, but I hadn’t given up on summer.  A dress it was going to be.

What I wore:

• Colette Laurel gingham dress, blogged here
• Simplicity 2154 cardigan, as above

May 9th

I had a course in Bristol in the morning which meant getting up bleary eyed & not appreciating just how cold & windy it was going to be.  I was grateful I wore my Robson Trenchcoat with its windproof fabric.

What I wore:

• Simplicity 2154 skirt, see here
• Simplicity 2154 cardigan, as above (again!)
• Maria Denmark Kirsten Kimono Tee shirt, here

May 10th

Today was such a manic day at work, I left early to fit it all in, & this photo was all I could muster.  It was blimmin cold, again.  Colours seem to get more subdued as the temperature drops…

What I wore:

• Sewaholic Thurlow trousers, blogged here
• Sewaholic Renfrew t-shirt, blogged here, on the infamous start of the wig fixation
• My me-knitted Wisdom cardigan, blogged here
• Sewaholic Robson Trenchcoat, as above.

May 11th

It’s the weekend & realising colours had become dull I consciously opted for colour.  But was still cold …baked an easy banana choc cake (only needs one egg which is all I had…after my ritualistic Saturday morning poached egg breakfast!)

What I wore:

• Colette Laurel top, blogged here
• Deer & Doe Chardon skirt, blogged here
• Me made apron
• Wisdom cardigan, as above.

And the good news for the week ahead?  I’ve got a week off work!  Yippee.  Got allsorts of bits & bobs planned….hope you’re all enjoying May & a lovely weekend x

So remember it’s May and I have signed up to wear only clothing made by me this month as part of Me Made May 2013.  BUT, & this is the kick in the pants for me, I have to wear more cheerful clothing & make up too.  The latter is a challenge for me as I don’t tend to wear make up when I’m not in work, but recently have not even been wearing any to work!  So, consider my pants kicked into action for all of the above.

Here is the first five days of outfit pics to show what I wore.  I am not posting every day (as you can see) but if you’re not interested, no worries!  I shall keep all my other blog & sewing posts going through this month also.

May 1st, sunny day, I managed to get out for some shopping at lunchtime (see bags by bench – they are mine).  I foolishly bought fruit & veg including a giant pineapple.  But why was this foolish you ask?  Well, I only walk 2 miles uphill to get home & therefore had this deadweight of onions, apples & one very large pineapple to add to my load!

Photo is taken in Parade Gardens.  You can just about see the Abbey behind.

What I wore:

• Simplicity 2154, chiffon polka dot blouse blogged here & cardigan blogged here.
• Colette pinstriped Meringue skirt, blogged here.
• Homemade undies
• And my Robson Trenchcoat on the way to work.
• And make-up.
• Not photographed – my Maria Denmark Laura Lounge trousers & breton shirt when I got home for slobbing.

May 2nd Another sunny/ cloudy day.

I worked from home today – breathe a sigh of relief.  I do allow myself the chance to get washing done & popped out to hang it out.  But looks like you’ve caught me hanging my smalls!

What I wore:

Kwik Sew 3659 top (blogged here) and my Built By Wendy fab red trousers, blogged here.  Undies of course homemade too.  And when it got colder, my Simplicity 2154 cardigan as above.  And I even wore make up at home too!

May 3rd.

Double trouble today – what I wore to work & then my evening outfit for going to see a band.  Now let me explain about my photos – they are all on self timer….the one I took at work….was sneakily taken at the end of the day when no one was in to witness my posing.  The gormless but rushed pose seems to me to be the most appropriate to convey the actual comfort factor behind this photo!

What I wore:

Daytime:

• Maria Denmark Kirsten Kimono Tee, blogged here
• Simplicity 2451 tulip skirt, blogged here (annoyingly, like too many of my makes, it is too big now & therefore has slipped down my hips making it longer- did you spot that?)
• McCalls 6708 Cardigan, blogged here
• Me made undies – yep & make up too.

Evening attire:

• My top is as yet unblogged, but that is coming, I promise
• Thurlow denim trousers, blogged here
• Me made undies & make up too.
• If anyone saw my appearance on Twitter that evening you’ll have seen a refashioned suede jacket too – original 1970s coat, custom-made for my Mum, shortened by me , ooh, 20 years ago & still going strong.  Not quite me-made, but nearly!

 May 4th

The weekend!  So many things to do, but one being a visit to the DIY to buy decorating materials presented the challenge of wearing something me-made that wasn’t too smart.  Coat being required meant that I brought out my Trench, but tried to be reasonably casual…still felt over dressed!  But the sun shone in the afternoon, it was glorious but windy.  I gardened all afternoon in the same clothes…

What I wore:

• Sewaholic Robson Trench coat, blogged here
• Sewaholic Renfrew, blogged here in the post of the wigs
• Sewaholic Thurlows (OMG writing this I’m realising that it is Sewaholic Saturday!!)
• Vogue 1247  top, blogged here
• Silk scarf, blogged here
• Make up & home made knicks.

May 5th

A good part of today was spent with my legs out- hoorah!  Sun & running.  It was the Glastonbury 10k (Round the Tor, not up it).  Great race followed by a pub lunch with my running buddies.

What I wore:

• Me made shorts (as yet un-blogged)
• Me Made shorts – leggings type (can’t for the life of me what else they are known as – also unblogged)
• Non me made race t-shirt & rather cool medal

• Victory Patterns Madeline skirt, blogged here
• 1950s Rockahula Vegas blouse, blogged here

No make up nor me made knicks today – was not going to risk running in the marginal pairs I had left not in the wash (is that too much info?!?!) and who wears make up running?

Now I need to get out of my me-made PJs and decide what to wear today….!  Have a good one everyone.  It’s a bank holiday in England & how blissful – it promises to be another sunny day

Thanks everyone for your kind reflections/ observations on my derriere in the last post.  It is great to have such a wealth of advice / experience & straight talking sense out there!

Onto the last installment & my reflections on Me Made May 12….

Day 23:

Location: Beaufort Place or something like that at the side of the Theatre Royal (not that you can see it in this pic!)  I’m wearing my Lisette Passport dress.  No need for cardigan – woo hoo!

Day 24:

Here I am in my “Too old for School” Vintage gingham dress.  I am standing on “Bog Island”, a local landmark, a stop for tour buses.  But why the name?  Well, in the days that I first came to Bath this used to be a night club, the Island Club, but before that?  Public toilets.  My memories of it as a nightclub?  Dark & hot where the condensation used to drip on you from the ceiling, particularly on the dance floor.  Nice.  I am so out of touch with Bath nightlife that for all I know it is back in use again.

Day 25:

Location – still strictly speaking outside – but kind of in the street where I live.  I’m wearing my Swimmers dress (pattern from a Sew Mag) and matching hairband.  What was nice about today (as well as seeing my boy for the first time in 5 months) was that someone came up to me in Sainsbury’s & asked me where I got my dress “Er, I made it myself”…after which we had the small conversation about it, sewing & classes.  Hopefully she will take it up herself

Day 26:

Location: the playing fields near my home.  I had been to the post office, but realised a photo opp presented itself off site.  I’m wearing my sundress, revised New Look 6586.

Day 27:

A day in the garden (note store bought  bikini traces, no other option (yet).  I’m wearing my Brighton Rocks dress made using a Built By Wendy shift dress from Sew U.

Day 28:

Location: Parade Gardens in the centre of Bath.  This is where I lunch when the sun shines.  It’s always  a mecca in the sunshine for everyone, & is filled with wonderful floral displays (see parks staff in background removing spent tulips).  It’s also beside the River and looks out onto the weir at Pulteney Bridge.  Interesting fact, the level of Parade Gardens is apparently the Roman (or is it medieval street level, let’s maybe say it’s the “old” street level).  If you look up above my right shoulder you can see current street level is much higher due to centuries of urbanisation …

I’m wearing Simplicity 2599 in vintage fabric & my purple linen Beignet which is looking quite used & scruffy these days….

Day 29:

Location: Bath Abbey at 8am.  You can see my walk to work footwear after shredding my poor feet the previous week before they had manned up to being sockless.

I’m wearing my first Simplicity 2599 (but I need to go back & edit the original post as the pics have dropped out) and my pin striped meringue skirt.

Day 30:

Location: Abbey Green today by a wonderful ancient tree that has a massive trunk….you’re just glimpsing a part of it.  Lots of flag action going on the pub behind.

I’m wearing my polka dot Sewaholic Cambie dress.  It was the first time I wore it to work, & boy was it perfect.  I think I need to make another ….

Day 31:

On the way to work I plonked on a bench at the side of the Abbey, forgetting that I’d already pictured by the Abbey just a few days before.  Oh well.   Hardly anyone about.

I’m wearing my Red hot chilli Ginger skirt and my cowl neck top (Butterick 4132 – it too has an old post with dropped out pictures so I won’t bother linking to it).  It’s great having a plain red skirt – I have other things I could wear with it (me mades) that have not even featured this month.  This top though could do with being a bit smaller, perhaps at the shoulders so that the under arm is smaller & the cowl drapes a little higher up!  Cardigan has me made elbow patches to cover the holes!

My musings:

I totally failed at joining in with the Flickr fun … technology thwarted me at the start & then I never gained enough momentum.  Boo hoo.  Sorry for missing you all this time…

How did taking pictures outside my home go?

Well I said I’d try to take at least 66% outside….by my reckoning it was …71% ….woo hoo!  However I learnt the following about myself & public picture taking:

• If I am at home I am unlikely to make a special effort to go out even for a Me Made May photo opportunity
• All my public photos were “en route” to where I usually go & I did not go out of my way for glorious backdrops, of which there are many in Bath …
• I found using my mini gorilla tripod indispensable for curling my camera on railings & benches.  I did not take my full tripod out at all.
• Benches were a safer option for me – more discreet & quick photos
• I favoured quieter places and quieter times, even taking pics on the way to work before 8am
• I am relieved not to have to take daily pictures in public anymore & my handbag will start to feel lighter again.
• Conclusion: I still get self conscious & like photos on my own terms!
• In terms of clothing:
• Me made cardigans & warm wear are lacking, actually still non existent.
• I wore something different each day with my new red Ginger scoring highest (3 wears), followed by Meringue skirt, floral Renfrew & even my Vintage Vogue jacket, but this was partly due to May spanning several seasons!
• Red is the new black ….
• I wore 12 dresses, 2 of them twice (Red ellies and Red polka dot cowl neck Simplicity 2580)
• I tried on 2 skirts from last year & they are too big (the fit was always loose mind you & I am a combination of more fussy in fit & hurrah, slimmer)
• I have not ironed all month with the very odd exception (should I be admitting to that?) I bet you don’t envy me my ironing pile now!
• Generally I should concentrate on replacing things that are wearing out or are old now – perhaps attempting underwear again, leggings would be useful and also jackets/ cardigans.

How has everyone else enjoyed Me Made May?  Any insights?

Hello one & all!  I am aware I have lots of catching up to do, both on this blog & visiting other people’s.  I am feeling overwhelmed with the need to “do” everything & yet nothing.  It’s weird, I had last week off on leave, & somehow had all these things to do.  Whilst I did do lots (as you may catch a mere hint of below), my extraordinarily long list has not even been dented & yet I still have the enthusiasm for everything on it, but sadly not the time now I am back at work.  What’s the secret?  Anyone? (I know – cut my hours or just do less !!)

As today was a little extraordinary, even for this ol’ Badger, I’ll keep it current & provide my third update on Me Made May 2012.  Later posts will elaborate on some of the makings & doings of last week.

So, part three of Me Made May 12, a month of below average temperatures.  The question is, will any summer clothes get worn this month?

May 15th

That my friends is a grimace.  I am wearing my vintage 50s pattern denim shorts because I knew that no one else will see me!  I planned to stay in all day.  I’ve never worn them in the winter before, with tights.  How on earth do these young things stay warm?  I have wool on my leggies & I was cold!!  I am also wearing my Sencha blouse.

Verdict?  Too short for someone my age …in public.  Too cold for these temperatures for this particular ice maiden even at home.

May 16th

There was sun today so my new Sewaholic Cambie dress came out.  Sadly the jacket is RTW, but the dress received plenty of compliments later at a social gathering.

You might think this strange – but we went back to Tyntesfield to look inside the house, after only visiting about 10 days ago.  It is stunning, a Victorian gothic revival built on the proceeds of guano no less.  The interior is as stunning as the exterior: arches, plasterwork, Arts & Crafts carved furniture, panelling, wallpaper….amazing.  Go if you are near. It’s National Trust near Bristol.

May 17th

Would you buy a sofa especially for the Jubilee?  It kind of matched my outfit.  We are in IKEA (“Never again” said Gary).  We seem to go every 5 years,  therefore we get lost & despite having a shopping list the visit always eats up more time than you ever conceive of to begin with.  I was shopping for sewing room kit (give me an “ooooooh”!)

To say that I felt dressed rather brightly & stood out from the crowd (much like this sofa) was an understatement.  I wore my new red Ginger skirt with my floral Renfrew plus the crowning glory, my vintage Vogue jacket.  I felt, like I usually do when sporting this jacket, like a Red Coat from Butlins.

May 18th

Note clothes line of nearly all Me Mades including the red gingham boxers …I am wearing my culottes with red polka dot frilly t-shirt & have brought out the Vintage Vogue jacket again.  I was at home making, therefore the photo is not at all exotic.

May 19th

Well what do you know?  More Me Maders, encountered in Birmingham.  These ladies have the most awesome Me Made Wardrobes, & as it is Me Made may are sporting lush examples in the photo above.  We had the most delightful day, written up perfectly by Marie from a Sewing Odyssey & Catherine from The Makings of an Urban Rustic.  Unfortunately Debbie from Minnado’s House had ailing children & we missed her, but still had ginormous fun & between us boosted Birmingham’s economy.  OK, I was the worst & most severely tempted, as Catherine said, it was like a shark’s feeding frenzy & I know that I was displaying characteristics of someone possessed by fabric addiction …By my early reckoning I might have bought a whole 22m of fabric plus 20m of blind cord.  The jury is still out on the final metreage since the fabric mountain has experienced seismic shifts whilst elements of it get pre-washed.  Man it was heavy.  And no it wasn’t all for selfish sewing.  I shall elaborate & expand in a later post.

I was wearing my cowl neck spotty dress & a me made slip.  Location: Cafe Soya in Birmingham

May 20th

A day meeting my friend’s dog & going for a wonderful country walk through fields of long grass & bluebell woods, yes dressed like this but with my trousers tucked into thick socks.  Although I lugged my camera amongst such glorious countryside I just didn’t quite find the time/ nerve to stop for a photo …

I wore: white long sleeved  Renfrew, my Vogue 1247 top, & my piped Built By Wendy trousers, of which you will hear more about in a later post as I ponder the application of this pattern to a different type of fabric & ask advice …!

May 21st

Back to work today.  Check out the location – that is Pulteney Bridge behind me, one of our famous landmarks.  I am wearing my pink elephant Violet blouse with my pinstriped Meringue.

May 22nd

Newsflash!  The Olympic torch comes to Bath, but what did Scruffy Badger wear?

Well, you’ll see I’m wearing my Red hot chilli Ginger (of which it is the lining that is visible from this angle not my pants)  & my lace yoked Sencha.

Behind me is the Empire Hotel, which now consists of a Garfunkels restaurant bar on the ground level (nice & airy space inside, with some outside sunny seating).  The floors above are retirement flats.  The hotel has had a colourful history & at one time was even used by the Ministry of Defence ….

Who else is desperately happy that we have some sunshine at last?  (Yes I exhibit characteristics of our national obsession too, have you only just noticed?)

Okey dokey, just where was I & what did I wear?  How did I bring my me mades to life?

Just what is it possible to get away with in May with below average temps & “rather a lot” of rain?

OK, so you have seen Day 1:

Ultra Violet blouse and What Ho Ginger skirt.

Location: The Optician’s

Day 2:

I’m wearing my Double collared blouse with my grey secret sari lined pinstripe skirt. Behind me extends Northumberland Place which is quite a characterful lane in the city, containing shops & cafes (including the Makery Emporium).  If you look closely the sign for the jewellery shop is sadly defiled by seagull splat, the likes of which we are over blessed with considering we are so far inland!

[I have to apologise now, lack of hyperlinks due to technology taking *forever* & not working properly....If you want to look anything up, there is a search box near the top of the right margin...I'm trying to get to the bottom of it]

A decorated bicycle, part of a display to promote Bath City Conference: One Hundred Ideas for Bath, that was going on that day.

May 3rd

Oh, it’s that purple coat!  It shows that I wear it alot, also that it was cold & wet, also that I do not have anything me made that is up to the job of keeping me warm & dry.  A Minoru has been ordered to be prepared for the autumn.  So I’m wearing my red spotty cowl neck dress.  The hat, isn’t it adorable, is a crocheted gift made by my friend.

Location:  I am at the bottom of the Holloway, a street on a hill  that is unbelievably close to the city centre & where I meet Gary when he comes to pick me up from work (when I am too lazy to walk/ catch bus!)

Star Wars Day:

This day has already been posted about & as you can see has a couple of star guests!!  Jane & Karen welcome to Me Made May

Location – All Saints in Covent Garden.

May 5th:

I am pooped.  I did not go out all day.  I sat.  And I caught up on some overdue emails (very overdue).  I printed out knitting patterns that I have bought via Craftsy (it is a long drawn out process with my aging technology).  And I got lost in the time warp that is “vintage sewing pattern” search on Ebay.

I am wearing my Spring floral Renfrew and my denim Beignet.

May 6th:

At the carboot as well as some bananas, that bag is laden with folders of knitting patterns!  From the 60s through to the 90s.  Oh, what a fashion treat it was looking through them all. I shall share some with you at some point. And the picture on the right is taken at Tyntesfield, the most amazing neo-gothic house – ever!  I’m wearing my bold AMH Loulouthi skirt, my red Renfrew as well as the oldest thing in my wardrobe made by my Mum in 1987, a Rowan jumper.

May 7th:

Location: my salad patch.  Yep, I’m singing.  It’s raining but when it helps my salad patch flourish so it makes me happy.  I’m wearing my Clothkits skirt & my grey Renfrew.  The cardigan has mended elbows with patches …

 Day 8:

Location: Queens Square, Bath which is a Georgian square.  In the backdrop is the western side which was designed by John Pinch in 1830 & takes a neo Grecian style, whereas the North side is designed by the architect John Wood the elder, a fine example of the Palladian style apparently.  He lived there.  This is the location of our own version of the “Occupy” protests.  It also hosts boules contests, french markets & in the half marathon you get to run around it (twice) whilst the fabulous steel band encourages you on.  It’s near the beginning of the route after a slight incline, so generally not the lowest point of the race!!  Oh yes, I’m wearing my Vogue dress, V8667.

Sorry such a lot of pics !  But all up to date now.  I’m struggling to play with Flickr due to my browser/ Flash problems, but will get there in the end, hate the idea of missing out on the fun!!

PS Sorry for all the moaning about technology- it’s not what I think of as fun!

Are you enjoying all this dressing up in your me mades?