Busy hands | Disquiet mind

Vogue V1944 is, well, I'm not sure how to describe it. It's a strange woven collection of bias cut skirt, with two dropped shoulder shirt-inspired top options, one both fitted and cropped. I was interested in view b; the boxy oversized shirt.

But being a Vogue pattern, sizing is not straight forward. The measurements corresponding to the sizes are only shown on the envelope flap (not visible in the online envelope scans), and the useful finished garment measurements are typically only to be found on the pattern tissue itself. Being at the edges of the size range is quite risky. Last time I made a Vogue, I found the sizing ran large, and that a size 22 was the better starting point for me. Which is just as well, as size 22 is the maximum size available for this pattern. A size 22 is given as bust 112cm, waist 94cm. This would not fit me. But I'm looking at a boxy oversized shirt. So, I took the gamble. Turns out the finished garment measurements for view b are bust 132cm, waist 128cm. This is 20cm and 34cm of combined wearing and style ease. That should be plenty.

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Finished, front
Photo by chebe

Seamwork's Elmira is a close fitting, cropped cardigan, in a ballet wrap style. I have previously made the front-tie variation, but didn't like the (lack of) front coverage. On top of having made v.1 in only a size L, and with a knit fabric with insufficient stretch, it wasn't comfortable to wear.

Coming back to the base pattern, I wasn't vibing with the bulk of the wraps, nor the excessive amount of fabric that goes into them. Then I noticed that the inner layer is kept closed with two buttons and button loops, and resolved to have both sides close in the same way, eliminating all ties. And this time in a size 2X.

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Finished, front
Photo by chebe

Another 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.

( 1st - 4th )

( 5th - 11th )

( 12th - 18th )

( 19th - 25th )

( 26th - 31st )

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.

( data )

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.

McCall's M8479, woven short skirt pattern with faux-wrap options. I previously made the 'base' skirt, without any of the wrap options; v.1. Now it's time to wrap.

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McCall's M8479, view b, finished, front view with wrap closed
Photo by chebe

McCall's M8479 is a woven short skirt pattern with faux-wrap options. I was having a hard time understanding how all the pieces went together, so I made a 'base' version of the skirt with the most common pieces and without any of the wrap choices, which isn't technically an option provided. It is closest to View A, but without the over-wrap half skirt (read on for explanation of this).

But first, why a skirt pattern? Well, simply, I need basic/versatile skirt options to fill a gap in my wardrobe. And this skirt pattern has a fly front zipper, which I haven't tried before. Skirts use less material even than shorts, so it's a lower stakes way to practice. And I really couldn't figure out what they were doing, without examining the pattern pieces closely. Curiosity, basically.

( Details )

McCall's M8479, finished, front view
Photo by chebe