Finally, a Me-Made-May update! I started the month in the heavy humidity and sunshine of my homestate, Hawaii, where my knit LBD and a white tank came in handy (but no photos!). Now I'm back in the sometimes sunny, sometimes gray, sometimes windy Bay Area. I really miss reliable weather.
As pledged, I've been wearing at least one me-made garment every day. I've always found these me-made challenges a real game-changer, wardrobe-wise. It's a great exercise in what's working and what's not. There are a few gems, but there's several things that have already been sent to the Purgatory Pile, where projects await judgment.
I've already edited out a me-made skirt, shorts, dress and knit tee from my wardrobe. Wasteful? Perhaps. Or maybe I'm learning non-attachment, finally. They'll be recreated or recycled, so no fabric waste. This is self-forgiveness, not project-forgiveness. Onward.
Purple crepe dress, from 1940s slip pattern. It's not perfect, but I love love the way it falls on my body and the way the skirt hangs.
Me-made tank and knit pants, both self-drafted. Lazy Saturday, the pants don't get much wear unless I'm lounging or traveling because of the elastic waist that shimmies down with wear.
Mother's Day started out gray. Me-made purple corduroys traced from fave GAP jeans and me-made cowl. The pants are by far my proudest project, but don't wear these much because the fabric's not stretch and it gets baggy and unflattering by midday. Boo. Purgatory Pile?
Me-Made Denim Skirt from 70s pattern and blazer traced from J. Crew. Blazer fits perfectly, but the fabric wears like cardboard ----> Purgatory Pile
Me-made: tank, beret and blazer.
Me-made knit top from 50s pattern. Looks OK in the photo, but the color doesn't excite me. Likely gifting to a friend. Also: My fave skirt, silk with godets. I've been stopped twice in the street in this thing.
Jalie 3024 dress in navy french terry. Usually not hot enough to wear this, perhaps I should just move some place warmer ;)
Me-made knit dress from Burda 06/2010. Love this dress, so so comfy. Trying to do the tomboy thing with the sailor sweater.
Kwik Sew fuschia knit top. Still haven't shortened it as sagely suggested and I've grown to hate the "draped" shoulder that doesn't drape at all. ----> Purgatory Pile until I grow patience.
Me-made batik dress (adapted from Burda 06/2010 pattern) and beret. Even though this doesn't have any waist shaping, I love wearing this print.
All the while I've been buying from megastores, the anti-thesis of Me-Made-May. After my Fashion on the Ration pledge ended in January, I whipped up a list of what I thought a perfect wardrobe might be for me. The good news: It was a short list and I had most of it.
I've spent the year slowly donating things that aren't on the list and filling the gaps by either 1) making or 2) thrifting and 3) buying what the thrift flotsam doesn't shore up. In my defense, it's a mindful approach, even if that pretty green cardigan was stitched together under conditions I don't want to imagine. Less is better than more, but worse than nothing. Sigh.
Having an entirely ethical wardrobe feels like a lot of pressure. What do you think?
Happy Me-Made-May, I'm totally inspired by everyone's creations and personal style :)
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I totally understand where you're coming from - an ethical wardrobe is really hard. I took the seamless pleadge but when I went overseas the beautiful clothes saw me fall overboard pretty quick. I came back, felt ashamed and doubled my efforts to wear my own work. But some things (like trousers) scare me, so I've just avoided the spectre. As in, I bought no trousers and made no trousers. Guess where the hole in my wardrobe is now?
ReplyDeleteI think you can just try your best, at least you're reducing demand for RTW clothing in some small way, and you're not someone with an entirely bought wardrobe. Go easy on yourself and be mindful that you are still making a difference, and that superwoman is only a cartoon anyway.
PS, totally love your outfits, I especially love the beret outfit! I just made my own beret, but yours is so much cooler!
DeleteThanks for your comment, Juliet. I think the fact that I was out of town lead to my downfall too. "Downfall" -- so dramatic! Especially since I was only buying things I didn't want to make for myself (or couldn't make for myself) and it wasn't a willy-nilly affair. I would've gone with my store-bought purchases quietly but the fact that it's Me-Made-May made me quite aware.
DeleteAnd thanks, re: the beret. I'm using it lots, so versatile!
I'm from a country where a lot of garments are made (India) and I see a lot of people struggle with big-box store purchases, but then I remember that Western consumption has been responsible for lifting a lot of people in my country out of poverty.
ReplyDeleteYes, the working conditions are probably grim, but the reality is that people work because they have to - because the alternative is going hungry and starving.
Is being 'ethical' avoiding big-box purchases even if someone in a far-off country depends on your consumption to eat?
There's a lot of big-box-hate that goes around on blogs (not yours in particular) and I'm amazed that there's no recognition of the fact that in many countries - sweatshop labour is a life-saver - the alternative is going hungry.
Reethi, THANK YOU for the reminder and reality check. My family also comes from a country where many of our garments are made (and many former US-jobs are outsourced) and when I've been there I'm reminded of how much these debates about "ethics" often overlook these very issues. And sometimes, stateside, I forget.
DeleteI wonder if the problematic word is "ethical," a slippery slope to self-righteousness. Especially since some "ethical" companies are run by pretty horrific people. It's a real conundrum for me.
Ultimately, I think I need to remember that I'm going for "mindful" -- it may not be as good for the economy, but having less makes me feel better overall.
Having 'less' and being mindful is something I totally agree with - and I do agree, I think it is the word 'ethical' that I'm objecting to...
DeleteIn truth, it's really all about balance - rich-world consumption pulls the poorer parts of the world out of poverty, but then again, our impact on the planet and its resources is not sustainable...
What I struggle with is this sense that nothing is special anymore.
Somewhere in the not-too-distant past, there was a sense that buying a new dress was a pretty special thing. Or going out to eat, that was a big deal.
But nowadays, I have lost that feeling and I think the mindfulness is a big part of how to reclaim it.
You're absolutely right: getting a new dress and having a meal outside is pretty ho-hum these days.
DeleteHow beautiful would it be to have everything in our lives be special? I love thinking of that as a goal, as part of mindfulness and having less. Just lovely.
I struggle with this, too, since I have less time to sew and could, in theory, sew for myself and two children. I realize what Reethi says and don't think "Made in Germany" is necessarily better. I would love to source ethically produced clothes, but the truth is that I find it exhausting, not to mention terribly expensive. I have this dilemma with food as well. How to live better without getting frustrated with myself?! Back to MMM, I think your wardrobe is very versatile and realistic. I hope you can fix the few issues!
ReplyDelete"In theory" -- yes! In theory I could sew or knit more than I do but, sheesh, sometimes it's a real stretch with everything I've got going on. Food is tough for me, too -- I once had an organic garden. At the end of the day, as Juliet says, we do our best.
DeleteI'm hardest on myself, but when I look at all the amazing things people do manage to do for themselves and their families, I think it's sort of magical. :)
I've only recently gotten into me-mades. My background is in costumes and historic reproductions, but slowly over the last year or so (in part thanks to you) I have been making more and more of what I wear and I love it! I feel better about it. Look better in them (because they fit better) and my wallet is happier. BTW I love your french terry dress, I'm seeing navy blue in my future!
ReplyDeletePS: You can have our warmer weather, it's hitting 90 today and we have about 25 degrees to go before fall.
Ha ha! I whine and then I melt when the mercury gets closet to 100. I guess the grass is always greener :|
DeleteSo glad to hear you've been making your own clothes! And in that sort of warmth you could live in french terry all summer :) As much as I say I don't like navy, I think it means I don't like navy in the drab gray months; I've been excited to pair it with white and cream and red in the sunshine. Happy sewing!
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