Saturday 7 May 2016

Me Made May 2016 - Week 1

I am joining in with Me Made May 2106 this year, I really enjoyed it last year. In the truest sense of the pledge it really made me understand what I wanted to sew and what I liked to wear on a daily basis.





This year I have made a slightly different, personal pledge:

'I, Jo Roberts, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '16. I endeavor to alter some of the clothes I have already made but rarely wear for a tiny ill fitting reason. I will round up my alterations each week for the duration of May 2016'

I know that when I finish an item it is blogged for all to see but in reality until you have actually worn it a few times you don't know if it really works - sometimes there are issues you only know when you actually wear it to do real things in real life rather than standing in the garden or bathroom with the self timer on the camera an hour after it is finished!


This week I have made a crucial alteration/revisit. My Coco dress was the first garment under the knife.

Problem: The funnel neck meant that I could not comfortably wear a cardigan or warm garment over it. The second problem was that the jersey stuck to my leggings on my bum and the third problem was it was too short to wear my petticoat underneath to stop it sticking to my bottom!



Remedy: I took the funnel neck off and replaced it with a neck binding. Then I cut the length to suit me as a top. It also seemed too big so I took a seam from cuff to waist all the way through the armhole to make it a slimmer fit. Good old serger. I must have worn this three or four times since the alteration but I only wore the dress once.
Does this make you think of an item you could revisit to bring it back into your wardrobe? See you next week. Jo xx

11 comments:

  1. Brilliant pledge. This fabric is too nice not to get worn. I am trying to go back 1 item a month and redo. It's really satisfying isn't it. I have just replaced a Linden neckband that was wiggly and annoying. I love it now. Looking forward to more of your alterations K xXx

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  2. What a good idea. No point having lovely things you've made in your wardrobe but passing over them to wear something more comfortable.

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  3. A wonderful modification. I am doing the same as part of my MMM pledge too.

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  4. What a great idea! The altered top looks lovely and now it is comfortable and wearable you will enjoy it. Happy weekend.
    Helen xox

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  5. Your Coco top looks great. I have to admit, I am not a fan of the funnel neck and prefer your new neckline. I am doing a fitting masterclass (not sure if it will make me a master) and hope to fix some of my own making 'mistakes' later. Just working on yet another version of my fitting dress bodice.... x

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  6. Your take on the project is such a great idea. I often think of making my own clothes but what I really want is for some of the clothes I already have to just fit better and be more usable. I think you did a really great job with this alteration! It looks terrific on you.

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  7. I thought the dress was wonderful, but only you can decide if it is comfortable and wearable. The new version is a great hit. It certainly makes me wonder if I should alter some of the shop bought things for a better fit, then I might wear them instead of leaving them in the wardrobe.

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  8. I love your pledge- smart! And your new top is lovely and so wearable! A big improvement, I think.

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  9. Interesting! I am not fond of funnel necks and actually prefer turtlenecks. I bought a rainbow of mock turtlenecks thinking they would be so useful, but the mock necks are mocking me and are too loose. I wonder if I could slim the necks. Hmmmmm... I admire your pledge and your perseverance, Jo! Happy weekend. xx

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  10. You are amazing, I love your alterations. Well done!
    Meredith

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  11. Great pledge idea, you are right about thinking an newly made item looks great only to find that the sleeves are terrible when washing up or the fabric catches on your tights (wow, I'm sounding glamorous here!)
    This dress looked lovely before but the new top sounds like it will be much more loved and worn which is it's destiny at the end of the day!

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