I did manage to continue my Me-Made experiment through the weekend, although I’m coming to the end of the home-sewn garment collection. I got A LOT of sewing done this weekend, though, and I suspect that trying to wear my own garments every day this month is going to light a fire under my ass.

This skirt is the very first thing I ever sewed, back in, I think, 2006. It’s a very stretchy purple knit skirt with a fold-over waistband. I thought it would be so easy, but little did I know, knits are not easy. To be honest, it wasn’t that difficult, but I did manage to sew the wrong side of the fabric on the outside of the skirt. Ooops. Thankfully, it’s hardly noticeable. In fact, I didn’t notice it until after I’d worn the skirt a few times.

I love this skirt because it’s super comfortable, although it often feels a little too schlumpy to wear to work or anywhere nice.

On Sunday, I wore this little tunic that I made last fall out of an old sheet. This is definitely not a garment that goes out much. It’s strictly for days when I’m home doing chores and puttering around. I drafted the “pattern” from instructions in this random crafting book I have, and did all kinds of weird hacks to get it to fit alright and not look terrible. It’s probably the most ridiculous handmade garment I have, but the fabric is super soft and a great color, so it’s hard to let it go. Whatever. It is great for chore days, because I don’t really mind of it gets messy. It’s almost like an apron, itself. Maybe I should sew some big patch pockets on the front.

Yesterday I worked for awhile on the loose-weave sweater I mentioned a few days ago, and so far…I’m not really sure. It’s kind of huge. And I still don’t know how I’m going to sew those sleeves in. I set the sweater aside and started working on another pencil skirt, and so far, I’m in LOVE with it. I’m hoping to finish it tonight.

And today? The fun continues with my Kiss Me Deadly Pencil Skirt.

This skirt has become one of my wardrobe staples. It’s comfortable, easy to match with anything, easy to wash, and flattering. The waist is a smidge too big, but it still works. Fitting is by far the hardest part about sewing.

Stay tuned tomorrow (I hope) to see something new!

So far so good! Today I’m wearing my polka dot version of Colette’s Sorbetto. The Sorbetto is a free pattern download, so if you haven’t yet gotten your hands on it, I’d check it out immediately. It’s a pretty easy little top to sew, and very comfortable and versatile.

Like nearly all of my sewing projects, there are things I learned in the making of this top. The fabric I used is a very slippery, lightweight rayon, and yes, it was a bitch to work with. I love wearing slinky little fabrics, but I am not a fan of sewing with them. The neckline and sleeves of this shirt are finished with a bias binding, and I had originally intended to make bias tape out of the remaining fabric from the shirt. But it was way too hard to work with, and I ended up just using some basic grey bias tape I had on hand.

I also finished my seams the lazy lady way, with just pinking shears, but with this fabric that was not enough. After the first wash, the seams started fraying and I thought this shirt was doomed. But I had a late night brainstorm: I had some leftover interfacing that is similar in weight and drape to the fabric of this shirt, so I just cut some long strips of interfacing and fused them over the seams on the inside. Voila: no more fraying. Not a very professional finish, but it works for me. It did make me realize, once and for all, the importance of finishing seams.

It’s Friday, whoo hoo, and I’m hoping to spend the evening working on that sweater I mentioned a few days ago. Maybe I’ll be able to share it soon! My sewing projects have been taking me longer than anticipated lately, but I think that’s partly because I want to do things more neatly and professionally. I’m realizing that my laziness doesn’t always work with sewing, so I’m trying to conscientiously take more time, and do things the right way.

Are you participating in Me-Made May? I’m loving seeing everyone else’s creations on the blogs, especially when people are pulling out things they made when they first started sewing. It makes me realize that everyone starts where I am now: making mistakes and learning something new with every project.

Forgive the not-so-awesome cell phone picture. I managed to put another me-made garment on my body today: This drape neck tank top was the first thing I made when I dragged my sewing machine out of hibernation last year. I bought the knit fabric online years ago, when I first started getting into sewing. I think I originally intended it to be a knit skirt with a fold-over waistband, but the fabric didn’t have as much stretch as I thought.

I had been wanting a tank top with a draped neckline for a long time, and I scoured the internet for just the right pattern before finally landing on this one, McCall’s M6078. To be honest, it’s not the perfect pattern. The neckline is a little deeper than I wanted, but it works. And I like the way the body fits.

When I made this, I remember that the fabric was a real pain to work with. I actually took the fabric to work to cut, because I didn’t have a surface big enough (other than the floor) to cut it out at home.

The cutting layout had you fold the selvedge edges in toward the middle, and I recall that was a real struggle. I am impatient with fabrics that don’t fold easily. But I finally got it to work, and while I am not in love with this shirt, it has been growing on me over the last seven months since I made it.

And let me just talk about my jeans for a minute. I’m wearing a pair of NYDJ (Not Your Daughter’s Jeans) jeans. This is my second pair, and I LOVE these jeans. For most of my life I’ve avoided wearing jeans because they never fit right. I have wide hips, and a small waist, so it is inevitable with nearly every pair of pants that the waist is too big and I spend a dumb amount of time pulling my pants up. Jeans never work with belts for me because the thickness of the fabric means tons of bulkiness at the waist once they are cinched with a belt.

Both pairs of NYDJ jeans I own fit like a dream. They are the most comfortable pairs of jeans I’ve ever worn. The waist doesn’t start falling down midway through the day. They are comfortable to sit and move in, and I think they are pretty flattering, too. I never thought I would be a jeans-wearing girl, but I want to wear these every day. If you have a hard time finding jeans that fit, definitely check out this brand. The company name makes me feel old, but the jeans make me feel happy.

Whenever the McCalls/Vogue/Butterick site has a sale for club members, I get a little giddy. Getting a $30 pattern for $3 feels like quite a deal (although I don’t imagine people often pay the $30 list price). So this week I splurged a little on a few things I’ve had my eye on.

I love the Vintage Vogue patterns. The packaging with the old school illustrations makes my heart swoop a little bit. Of course, looking at the required yardage for those beautiful full skirts makes my heart swoop in a different way. But that gorgeous silhouette is worth it. In the pattern above, I think I’m going to make the B version first. I haven’t yet reached a sewist’s mind frame where I can already picture it in a particular fabric or color. But I’ll keep my eyes out for something that seems right for a lovely summery dress. Perhaps something in the type of floral print I usually shy away from.

Then there’s this beauty. The pin tucks on the bodice are swoon-worthy. I might even have to get myself (make myself?) at big ol’ Sunday hat to go with it.

I also bought my first of Gertie’s Butterick patterns. I couldn’t resist. It might, just might, end up being the dress I make to wear for our rehearsal dinner (although I already have something in mind for that particular event, fabric purchased and everything). I don’t have much occasion to wear fancy dresses like this, but I can’t seem to resist them.

I also picked up a pattern for a little girl’s dress that might end up being my niece’s flower girl dress, if I can find the right fabric.

Despite having all these shiny new babies in my possession, I believe my next project will be from a pattern I’ve had sitting around for awhile:

In LA’s fashion district two weekends ago, I bought a navy blue cotton with an embroidered border. I think version A of this dress will make a great summer dress. I don’t have a plan for the little bolero jacket yet. I may or may not make one to match the blue dress. I actually bought this pattern FOR the little bolero jacket, but I have another fabric in mind for it, and not one that will match a blue dress. I’m all over the place in my plans for this pattern.

I did just finish another pencil skirt last night, and I’ll share it as soon as I can get some pictures. I think it’s the best thing I’ve made so far. The fabric is to-die-for, a super soft Italian wool I bought in Seattle, and I hemmed the thing by hand, and put in a lining (first time ever!), and I guess I’ll save all the details for later.

Any new patterns in your collection lately? What sewing projects are you dreaming about now?