Me Made May 2025
2025-May-31, Saturday 09:00 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
chebeAnother MeMadeMay has come and gone. It was an especially hot May around here. I usually prefer clothing for layering, and when I have to not do that I find it difficult to convey personality with a minimal number of items. I did at least try to incorporate more of my makes, trying new combinations, styles. To variable success. But I'm skipping ahead, first the pledge;
"I, chebe, pledge to wear at least one me-made/-repaired/-altered item each day throughout May 2025.
I also pledge to prioritise finishing my in-progress alterations and repairs."
Previous years; 2021, 2023, 2024.
Thursday, 1st.
A band t-shirt that I attempted to dye black. (In the same load as the fabric for my m8479 skirt, which did come out lovely.) It came out a kind of blue-toned slate grey, and the fuchsia print became a muted purple. The stitching stayed white, but I think it suits the overall grungy vibe. With some warm weather loose trousers.
Friday, 2nd.
My George + Ginger Malibu dress over a small printed t-shirt, with asymmetrical grey cardigan, and a cheap orange-red pleather jacket that I opened up the lining on and added domed metal studs around the shoulders front and back.
Saturday, 3rd.
My Seamwork Mel purple joggers and Seamwork Lex unicorn jumper for a lazy day.
Sunday, 4th.
Not feeling well, same Mels and Lex as the day before.
Monday, 5th.
And still not feeling well, same Mels and Lex as the day before.
Tuesday, 6th.
Me trying something that I don't think worked. My v-neck top from Gertie's Ultimate Dress Book over my Seamwork Alice long-sleeve, with some moto-detailed leggings and a belt. Was going for a 60s mod meets motorcycle thing, but missed. The belt only highlights the fit issues with the top. Will need to rework it.
Wednesday, 7th.
Went simple with my George + Ginger short sleeved skully Teen Spirit Top with jeans. I got so annoyed with the centre-front tenting that I cut out a big triangle (6cm*2 at the hem, tapering to nothing near the neckline) from the centre-back. For an imperfect, but still much improved fit.
Thursday, 8th.
Lounge trousers that I replaced the elastic waistband on, a t-shirt that I patched the cheese-grated shoulder of, and my New Look 6036 waistcoat.
Friday, 9th.
Going out day. My long be-chained shorts, a band t-shirt I deconstructed, removing the shoulders and side seams. I hemmed the new edges, and added grommet tape along the sides, and laced shut with actual laces. And for coming home, my Seamwork Skipper grey zippy with my Seamwork Audrey purple jacket.
Saturday, 10th.
Recovery day, with my Seamwork Mel purple joggers and a t-shirt.
Sunday, 11th.
A day in front of the computer, with repaired t-shirt, my Seamwork Skipper grey zippy, and jeans.
Monday, 12th.
My Seamwork Oliver jumper, that I removed the lower sleeves from, over an unseen Hush-a-Bye camisole, and my McCall's m8479 base skirt experiment. Much happier with the jumper without the lower sleeves.
Tuesday, 13th.
My drapey George + Ginger black Teen Spirit Top, with some trousers. The drapey fabric makes the excess fabric less obvious, and prevents tenting.
Wednesday, 14th.
My drapey George + Ginger black Teen Spirit Top again, with some very loose trousers. Worked surprisingly well when I threw on some wedges for lunch in the sunshine.
Thursday, 15th.
Scene missing.
Friday, 16th.
My black Seamwork Aberdeen t-shirt, with my Butterick b6902 view C shorts. Not thrilled with the fit of these shorts, but half-thinking that the crepe is just too drapey for them.
Saturday, 17th.
My stripey Seamwork Clarke vest top, with very loose trousers. The length on the top is much better after pattern alteration, but there's still too much fabric at the centre-front, even after removing a chunk. Will probably look for a different woven vest top pattern.
Sunday, 18th.
My grayscale Seamwork Aurora tank top, with trousers I replaced the elastic waistband on. Still not sure about this top. It's a smidge too big, but mostly I think the cheap too-crisp digitally printed cotton knit fabric is letting it down.
Monday, 19th.
My Seamwork Roan oversized shirt, over a long tunic-y t-shirt, with leggings. This shirt, with it's endless expanses of fabric, is unflattering to wear. I have to break up the blankness somehow. I'm thinking black patch pockets on the front. To start with.
Tuesday, 20th.
My black twill Seamwork Pauline skirt, shortened, with two front splits, with a t-shirt, and my New Look 6036 waistcoat.
Wednesday, 21st.
My Butterick b6287 (2015) view D, tunic with short sleeves, and leggings.
Thursday, 22nd.
My black strappy Seamwork Mel joggers with a band t-shirt for World Goth Day.
Friday, 23rd.
Same as the day before.
Saturday, 24th.
Conference day. My new black McCall's m8479 view b, utili-skirt, with a black vest top, and boxy shirt.
Sunday, 25th.
My black strappy Seamwork Mel joggers again, with a black t-shirt.
Monday, 26th.
My Seamwork Mel purple joggers return, with a black t-shirt.
Tuesday, 27th.
The black Seamwork Mel joggers again, but without the straps this time, with my George + Ginger RuLo tunic.
Wednesday, 28th.
Another conference day. Green trousers that I needed to replace an eye on, with a black vest top, and my Seamwork Marlow. With my black Seamwork Skipper hoodie dress for the commute.
Thursday, 29th.
Scene missing.
Friday, 30th.
Quite hot day out, means my new, not yet blogged, purple linen Megan Nielsen Tania culottes, with a burnout black velvet strappy tank top, sometimes with a sleeveless long shirt.
Saturday, 31st.
Not a dramatic ending, simply a recovery day, with my Seamwork Mel purple joggers again, and a black t-shirt.
Conclusions? I managed all but two days this year. These were days when I just couldn't anything. I'll forgive myself. Let's analyse.
Days I wore;
- a dress; 1
- a tunic; 3
- culottes; 1
- cropped trousers; 1
- shorts; 2
- jeans; 2
- leggings; 3
- skirts; 3
- other trousers; 6
- joggers; 10
- other top; 1
- long sleeve t-shirt; 1
- shirt; 4
- vest top; 6
- short sleeve t-shirt; 16
- waistcoat; 2
- cardigan; 2
- hoodie/zippie; 3
- jumper; 4
- jacket; 4
So I need to make more short sleeve t-shirts, joggers, trousers, and vest tops. Also felt a lack of layering pieces by way of loose shirts and light cardigans (smart and casual), and I just want jeans (still working up to it). I also seem to have worked my way back to preferring slightly more fitted clothing again. Tenting t-shirts and tops will no longer be tolerated. Which is an issue with my Seamwork loyalty. Their style tends to be more 'modern' with a-line tops. And it just doesn't work well for me. But some of this can be mitigated by favouring fabrics with more drape.
On the other side, I got through about half my mending backlog, and all my non-t-shirt alterations (including some for relatives). And I only made two new items this month, which have been on the to-do list for a while. All in all, calling this a success.
"I, chebe, pledge to wear at least one me-made/-repaired/-altered item each day throughout May 2025.
I also pledge to prioritise finishing my in-progress alterations and repairs."
Previous years; 2021, 2023, 2024.
Photos and collage by chebe
Thursday, 1st.
A band t-shirt that I attempted to dye black. (In the same load as the fabric for my m8479 skirt, which did come out lovely.) It came out a kind of blue-toned slate grey, and the fuchsia print became a muted purple. The stitching stayed white, but I think it suits the overall grungy vibe. With some warm weather loose trousers.
Friday, 2nd.
My George + Ginger Malibu dress over a small printed t-shirt, with asymmetrical grey cardigan, and a cheap orange-red pleather jacket that I opened up the lining on and added domed metal studs around the shoulders front and back.
Saturday, 3rd.
My Seamwork Mel purple joggers and Seamwork Lex unicorn jumper for a lazy day.
Sunday, 4th.
Not feeling well, same Mels and Lex as the day before.
Photos and collage by chebe
Monday, 5th.
And still not feeling well, same Mels and Lex as the day before.
Tuesday, 6th.
Me trying something that I don't think worked. My v-neck top from Gertie's Ultimate Dress Book over my Seamwork Alice long-sleeve, with some moto-detailed leggings and a belt. Was going for a 60s mod meets motorcycle thing, but missed. The belt only highlights the fit issues with the top. Will need to rework it.
Wednesday, 7th.
Went simple with my George + Ginger short sleeved skully Teen Spirit Top with jeans. I got so annoyed with the centre-front tenting that I cut out a big triangle (6cm*2 at the hem, tapering to nothing near the neckline) from the centre-back. For an imperfect, but still much improved fit.
Thursday, 8th.
Lounge trousers that I replaced the elastic waistband on, a t-shirt that I patched the cheese-grated shoulder of, and my New Look 6036 waistcoat.
Friday, 9th.
Going out day. My long be-chained shorts, a band t-shirt I deconstructed, removing the shoulders and side seams. I hemmed the new edges, and added grommet tape along the sides, and laced shut with actual laces. And for coming home, my Seamwork Skipper grey zippy with my Seamwork Audrey purple jacket.
Saturday, 10th.
Recovery day, with my Seamwork Mel purple joggers and a t-shirt.
Sunday, 11th.
A day in front of the computer, with repaired t-shirt, my Seamwork Skipper grey zippy, and jeans.
Photos and collage by chebe
Monday, 12th.
My Seamwork Oliver jumper, that I removed the lower sleeves from, over an unseen Hush-a-Bye camisole, and my McCall's m8479 base skirt experiment. Much happier with the jumper without the lower sleeves.
Tuesday, 13th.
My drapey George + Ginger black Teen Spirit Top, with some trousers. The drapey fabric makes the excess fabric less obvious, and prevents tenting.
Wednesday, 14th.
My drapey George + Ginger black Teen Spirit Top again, with some very loose trousers. Worked surprisingly well when I threw on some wedges for lunch in the sunshine.
Thursday, 15th.
Scene missing.
Friday, 16th.
My black Seamwork Aberdeen t-shirt, with my Butterick b6902 view C shorts. Not thrilled with the fit of these shorts, but half-thinking that the crepe is just too drapey for them.
Saturday, 17th.
My stripey Seamwork Clarke vest top, with very loose trousers. The length on the top is much better after pattern alteration, but there's still too much fabric at the centre-front, even after removing a chunk. Will probably look for a different woven vest top pattern.
Sunday, 18th.
My grayscale Seamwork Aurora tank top, with trousers I replaced the elastic waistband on. Still not sure about this top. It's a smidge too big, but mostly I think the cheap too-crisp digitally printed cotton knit fabric is letting it down.
Photos and collage by chebe
Monday, 19th.
My Seamwork Roan oversized shirt, over a long tunic-y t-shirt, with leggings. This shirt, with it's endless expanses of fabric, is unflattering to wear. I have to break up the blankness somehow. I'm thinking black patch pockets on the front. To start with.
Tuesday, 20th.
My black twill Seamwork Pauline skirt, shortened, with two front splits, with a t-shirt, and my New Look 6036 waistcoat.
Wednesday, 21st.
My Butterick b6287 (2015) view D, tunic with short sleeves, and leggings.
Thursday, 22nd.
My black strappy Seamwork Mel joggers with a band t-shirt for World Goth Day.
Friday, 23rd.
Same as the day before.
Saturday, 24th.
Conference day. My new black McCall's m8479 view b, utili-skirt, with a black vest top, and boxy shirt.
Sunday, 25th.
My black strappy Seamwork Mel joggers again, with a black t-shirt.
Photos and collage by chebe
Monday, 26th.
My Seamwork Mel purple joggers return, with a black t-shirt.
Tuesday, 27th.
The black Seamwork Mel joggers again, but without the straps this time, with my George + Ginger RuLo tunic.
Wednesday, 28th.
Another conference day. Green trousers that I needed to replace an eye on, with a black vest top, and my Seamwork Marlow. With my black Seamwork Skipper hoodie dress for the commute.
Thursday, 29th.
Scene missing.
Friday, 30th.
Quite hot day out, means my new, not yet blogged, purple linen Megan Nielsen Tania culottes, with a burnout black velvet strappy tank top, sometimes with a sleeveless long shirt.
Saturday, 31st.
Not a dramatic ending, simply a recovery day, with my Seamwork Mel purple joggers again, and a black t-shirt.
Conclusions? I managed all but two days this year. These were days when I just couldn't anything. I'll forgive myself. Let's analyse.
Days I wore;
- a dress; 1
- a tunic; 3
- culottes; 1
- cropped trousers; 1
- shorts; 2
- jeans; 2
- leggings; 3
- skirts; 3
- other trousers; 6
- joggers; 10
- other top; 1
- long sleeve t-shirt; 1
- shirt; 4
- vest top; 6
- short sleeve t-shirt; 16
- waistcoat; 2
- cardigan; 2
- hoodie/zippie; 3
- jumper; 4
- jacket; 4
So I need to make more short sleeve t-shirts, joggers, trousers, and vest tops. Also felt a lack of layering pieces by way of loose shirts and light cardigans (smart and casual), and I just want jeans (still working up to it). I also seem to have worked my way back to preferring slightly more fitted clothing again. Tenting t-shirts and tops will no longer be tolerated. Which is an issue with my Seamwork loyalty. Their style tends to be more 'modern' with a-line tops. And it just doesn't work well for me. But some of this can be mitigated by favouring fabrics with more drape.
On the other side, I got through about half my mending backlog, and all my non-t-shirt alterations (including some for relatives). And I only made two new items this month, which have been on the to-do list for a while. All in all, calling this a success.
