Me Made May 2024 - I Learned So Much about the Clothes I Sewed for Me

[@LostMyThread]

The ankle length pants look great on you, Christine. I actually had a moment where I wondered how tall you were because the photo makes your legs look super long! I really appreciated your insights. It's crazy how these old ideas about ourselves stick around in our brains for so long. I'm excited for you that it sounds like you've been narrowing down your preferences so effectively. Of course it's a continuous journey, but hopefully you'll be making some things that you really love off the back of this. And thank you for your kind words about my Me-Made-May series. Half of me is wanting to throw all of that away because it only truly works for a portion of my style, but I'm going to remember those words/phrases as an aspect of my future planning. Happy sewing!

[@ChristineSewsALot]

I am working on discovering my style instead of making things I see and like on others. I am considering working with a stylist once I have put more thought in what it is I like on me. Your series really helped me to think through things.

[@sewenticing]

I love the pants on you and ankle length is great, I also like the top at hip length it’s very flattering. I have lost a lot of weight and planning my new wardrobe. Since starting I have been paying attention to the me made may sewests who are reframing style. My style is 70’s hippy/boho color and flair. Thanks for sharing your journey

[@ChristineSewsALot]

Thanks Sonya! I think I have not paid enough attention in life to my style. When I was needing formal business clothes, most of my shopping centered around suits and button up shirts. I don’t love shopping for clothes, but need to do more of that so I can try different styles and see what it is that I like. Knowing what I definitely don’t like is a great starting point. The pinky red top in the video is the square neck top by Friday pattern Co that lengthened by 2 inches and in the photo I have it folded under by two inches. 🫢

[@lynngates1662]

Hi Christine ☺ This was wonderful! It sounds like you had a very successful MeMadeMay and learned a lot along the way. I do a lot a assuming things, too, because of adjustments my mom did. 😆 My adult self doesn't need all those adjustments any more, but even when I add an inch or so to sleeves, they're often still too short. Mom was always adding to the torso and the arms/legs of my clothes, and that was my starting point for a long time. I'm glad to hear that others assume things won't work -- for me it's patterns drafted for C cup, after a couple of bad results. So I've been stalled with my Myosotis forever, and just love your version!! 😍 I've fiddled with the bodice and stalled for over a year. Or two 🤦‍♀🤦‍♀but in the end, I'm using a rayon twill, so going back to the original pattern pieces, as the shoulders do fit well. Hope you've had a good week and happy sewing!!

[@ChristineSewsALot]

Sometimes we need to examine things with fresh eyes. When I saw how many clothes I made that I did not love enough to wear often, I realized I needed to give more thought to my makes and style. It has been eye opening. I am not rushing to find my style, but taking a lot more note.

[@lynngates1662]

@@ChristineSewsALot I agree, thanks so much for putting all of this into words so well! ☺

[@knottygnome]

I really resonated with your statement about long-held beliefs that just aren't true. until recently i always thought i had broad shoulders b/c they stick out farther than my hips. but compared to the average woman, i have narrow shoulders (and extra narrow hips). i never paid attention before how the shoulders on my tops fit but now that i see it, i can't unsee it if that makes sense.

[@ChristineSewsALot]

That makes perfect sense! Even my Myosotis Dress that i absolutely love and it makes me so happy, I can see that I should go down a size in the next one. I was over cautious in thinking it would not fit despite seeing the finished garment measurements. I was worried about it not being long enough 🙄

[@theseamstressatthecottage]

Sometimes it is so good to do something like a stock take of what we have made. I find that me made may is a good practice in finding out what works. So nice spending time with you.

[@ChristineSewsALot]

Katina, absolutely! Thanks for joining in 💕

[@robinduggins2561]

For years I have called my style "Mature, Modern, Boho". I love loose, slightly oversized, relaxed pieces but they can't be too flowy or drapey because I'm in my 60's and petite. I like more natural fibers and warm colors but not a fan of ditsy floral or big billowy layers.

[@ChristineSewsALot]

I love that you are so in tune with your style. Right now I am more in tune with what I don’t like on me than what I like. I guess it is a start!

[@dianewilliams7931]

Christine, I really enjoyed your reflections. Isn't it surprising how things we were told in childhood still influence our perception of ourselves? Until 8th grade, I was always one of the tallest kids in class, always in the back row of school photos so I have the image of myself as this tall, gangly, awkward figure. A couple of times recently the doctor/nurse at a doctor's visit commented "...you're a just little thing..." and my husband's cousin commented "...I always think of you as a slim, petite person..." How eye-opening! I've also been following Theresa. She's inspired me to take a close look at my style, too. Good luck on you analysis journey.

[@ChristineSewsALot]

I was the second tallest kid in school in 5th or 6th grade I think. Have not grown since then! I had a massive growth spurt that at the time I thought would continue. We are so shaped by childhood.

[@bethperrine6431]

I found this thought-journey really helpful! It allowed me to consider my own preconceived and long-held notions about my body and how clothes look on me. Thanks so much!

[@ChristineSewsALot]

You are welcome!

[@mariontilton8494]

Hi Christine. Love the pants on you . They make you look tall and slender. I found your video very thought-provoking. I have always thought my style was very classic however I never where those type of clothes when I think about it. I will have to do a vast assessment of my wardrobe and rethink my style. Thank you for video.❤

[@ChristineSewsALot]

Some years ago I used Stitch Fix to get some work clothes. A friend a T work used them and got some great items. I must have answered my questionnaire ‘wrong’ in relation to my style, because I liked a couple of things, but sent most everything back.

[@julieinnis2219]

Hi Christine, the shop purchased trousers look fabulous on you and will be well worth tracing and using as a master pattern. I will be most interested to see your progress on this. 😊 I am also a calm autumn and like you, I prefer more saturated colours. (I love all the colours and style in the dress you are wearing.) Your videos are most interesting and thought provoking. Wishing you happy sewing.🌸

[@ChristineSewsALot]

Thank you! I will be starting on my trouser project soon. Especially since Antoinette recommended that I trace them before washing them based on her experience. Love all the tips I get here 💕💕.

[@antoniaburlingame5921]

Hi Chiristine. Wow, you really learned a lot. I loved hearing about your revelations and the resulting reflections. The new black and white pants look great. I have one tip -- trace off a pattern from them BEFORE they are washed the first time in case they shrink. I once bought linen/cotton overalls online and was shocked that I liked the fit, so much so that I immediately traced off a pattern. That was such a good move -- when I washed them in cold water and then air dried them flat, they shrank 6 inches vertically and 4 inches horizontally. On tee shirts and turtlenecks, I have found that I like the fit much better if they are not too tight. I usually size up one or two sizes. Then I love the comfort of the knit and the smoother lines without anything clinging to lumps and bumps. That kind of fit also makes the tops more comfy in the heat due to that little bit of extra space. My favorite pattern is the Lark Tee by Grainline. I'm thinking the whole coming year of sewing will be enriched by your Me Made May adventure. What a win! I can hear the sewing machine warming up to superdrive, Antonia

[@ChristineSewsALot]

Antonia you give great advice! I will definitely trace those pants before I wash them. They are a light 100% cotton. I have learned a lot this month.

[@sew_So_beautiful]

I Think the TJ Max pants are really cute on you. The length looks great. I have several friends who have longer torsos with shorter legs, or average torsos and leg lengths for their heights, and are under 5'4 " and they all look great in cropped pants. The funny thing is, I'm very tall and have really long legs and a short torso. I feel funny wearing cropped pants because for the first 25-30 years of my life, people felt the need to ask me where the flood was. Women's pants didn't come long enough for me in regular stores. I could buy pants the right length at Tall Girl, but the waist band ended up under my arm pits if they were high waisted, or around my ribs if they were waist length. I could only wear them if I bought a low rise, which went to my natural waist, but then I had to take them in at the waist. The funny thing is, it didn't occur to me to sew myself any, even though I sewed lovely dresses for myself. Even ready to wear fit an inch or more higher on my waist than they were supposed to. I'm planning on trying cropped pants this year though. Maybe I will like how it looks now too.

[@ChristineSewsALot]

Thanks Linda! Those pants look way better with the sandals that have a little heel to them. Those are the ones in the photo. I tried the pants w leather sneakers and it looked like a mall walking outfit if you know what I mean 😂.

[@sew_So_beautiful]

@@ChristineSewsALot yes. It probably is all in the shoes. Lol. I wish I could wear cute shoes but I also have really big feet so it's difficult to find anything cute that fits, so I live in sneakers. Although I did notice that if I wear the kind of socks that go just to my ankles, not the hidden ones, it slims my ankles and gives the illusion of smaller feet too, so I think I might get away with cropped pants and dresses with running shoes if I wear those socks. Somehow that made all the difference over sockless, or higher socks.

[@ChristineSewsALot]

@@sew_So_beautiful my feet are shaped more like shoe boxes. No matter my weight my feet are very wide. Been a life struggle to get nice shoes that fit.

[@sew_So_beautiful]

@@ChristineSewsALot lol. That's the first I've heard that one. I used to stay over at my friend's place, and my friend's dad liked to tease me. Since he was small and had small feet, he would tell me he came downstairs in the morning and accidentally stepped into one of my shoes and took two steps before he got to the end of it.

[@vanessajones3508]

Christine, I like the pants you bought from TJ Maxx. I like the dress you are wearing.

[@ChristineSewsALot]

Thank you Vanessa! I do like those pants. They are a very light cotton so comfortable in the hot weather we get in SC.

[@kgflcreations]

Hi Christine, I loved this video. I have been participating on MMM over on Instagram, posting only once a week on what I wore the previous week. It is the first time that I make the effort of taking pics for a whole month, and it was eye opening to say the least. I also need to make bottoms, but I knew that for a while, so I will now take the plunge and dive into pants sewing 😊😊😊

[@ChristineSewsALot]

I have threatened to start making pants for a while and finally I want to sew them enough to put the work in. Glad to hear you had an informative May too!

[@robynlaszlo6128]

Great video good learning process your mother sounds like mine found out my legs and arms are short so many others things must be time of revaluation thanks 😊😊😊

[@ChristineSewsALot]

It was a good month of learning.

[@dizzyquiltsandsews]

That was so interesting to watch. You had me questioning all of my long-held beliefs about my body and my sense of style. That was my favourite part of MMM this year - really thinking about what I was choosing to wear and why. And when I chose an outfit, looking at it objectively when deciding if it suited my style. Great video! PS I absolutely love your dress!!! Xx

[@ChristineSewsALot]

This was my third time participating in Me Made May. I think part of why I got so much more out of it this year is that I have so many more makes. Even with clearing out a pile, at least half of what I have is something I sewed. The odd thing is I have more things I truly love in winter makes ❄️☃️.

[@ErinSews]

I really appreciated your discussion about long-held beliefs. Especially when talking about how you were taller (long torsoed, etc.) *in comparison* to your sisters, not just in general. I’ve been trying to figure out where my body differs in comparison to the average or to a certain block so that I can make automatic adjustments and “save time.” I felt a little called out when you talked about how doing the automatic adjustments was changing your perception of the patterns, so yeah I’m ceasing the analysis of what changes I “need” to make on every pattern. You had a very successful and insightful me made May! Thank you for sharing your reflections 😊 Also I laughed a lot during this video- I can’t believe you didn’t send the foot pics! 😂

[@ChristineSewsALot]

Yeah, he wanted me to show how to work the foot pedal 🙄