me-made-may 2013!

When I first discovered the sewing-blog scene, before I decided to start sewing again, I read about Me-Made-May and knew that was going to become my goal. And now after only 4 month of sewing, I'm doing it!

Here is my pledge verbatim from So Zo, What Do You Know?:

'I, Rachel of sewrachel.blogspot.com, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavor to wear a minimum of 1 self made garment at least 2 days per week for the duration of May 2013'

That's the great thing about the So Zo pledge, you can make it whatever works for you. Some people will pledge to wear ONLY handmade all month, or at least one handmade garment every day, while others pledge once a week. Some will pledge to make a certain number of items during May as well. It's whatever works for YOU. And you get a great little badge to put on your webpage or blog sidebar! So what are you waiting for? Read the rules and make your pledge here.

For me, I know there was no way I could wear handmade every day for a month after only 4 months of garment making. I was already doing my own Made-By-Me Tuesdays, so I thought I'd step it up one more notch and add another day of self-made clothing. I'll post pictures here as the month continues for you to see my outfits!

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Claiming my blog on Bloglovin.com so you can subscribe to me there! More sewing to post soon!

what's rachel sewing today?

I've decided that winter is officially over her in Maine. For those who know, just because the calendar says "spring" doesn't mean mother nature is going to listen. We may still have snow on the ground here and there, but I'm convinced that no more is coming out of the sky. That means spring sewing!

I had brought home a couple of really cool black and white prints from the clearance rack, and then read that it's a big trend for spring. Huzzah! I'm ahead of the trend! 

So today I picked up Butterick 5885 by Maggy London and knew it would be perfect for this knit print! (ps. Buttericks are on sale at there website if you want a copy.) I did switch out the skirt for a simple circle skirt from another pattern. I've got the front together with little issues. The only weird part is it seems to be telling me to feed elastic into the waist, that measures TWO TIMES my waist measurement  That does not make since to me, and I couldn't find any answers on the webs. I may just leave the elastic out for now until the dress is finished and insert it later if I need to, or maybe half if. If anyone has done this pattern advice is welcome! Until later!

a present for my sister!

I kept telling my sister that I'll make her some cool things... after I finish making all the cool things I want to make for me. (Do you hear a little Selfish Seamstress in me?) Well, something tells me I'm NEVER going to get to the end of that every growing list. So I found this great silky print on the clearance rack at Joann Fabrics and knew it would be perfect for her. If course, there was only 1 yard left, so we decided to make a loose top to wear with skinny jeans, using McCalls 6359.

I bought some black crinkly jersey for contrast, and while I had JUST enough of my silky print to block it like it's shown on the envelope I decided to change it up a little.

What do you think? Still have the cool V detail on the back, but all print in the front! I used french seams whenever possible. It took a little over 3 hours from start to finish. This was only my second time using bias tape for the neck and arm openings and it took a lot of manipulation with the iron to get it to lay ok, but all that consider it came out pretty well!

McCalls 6614 and other projects

Sorry for the long delay! I actually finished my purple lace McCalls 6614 a while ago, but have been too busy to take pictures and post between visiting family and friends over Easter and PAX East. So here it is! Sorry for the wrinkles. I've worn and washed it a couple times and was too lazy to iron it this morning.

 

I also found some fabulous striped jersey on sale at Fabric.com. I used a free pattern from the iCandy Handmade blog to make a fabulous cardigan.

 

Look what a good job I did matching the stripes on the seams and the bands! I started it on my mothers serger (until I somehow broke the tension), then finished the front band an cuffs on my own regular machine, including the purple top-stitching. I wear a cardigan almost every day to work, so I was super pleased to find this pattern! I wore it to work and got tons of compliments, even before they knew that I made it!

Next post: McCalls 6359! I made it for my sister, so I'll be up on the blog as soon as she gets it!