Me-Made-May 2014 Wrap-Up

Oh the things we start with the best intentions. My first week and a half of MMM started well. I dutifully picked my outfits and even did what I said and posted them to my Instagram.

Then things got weird.  The second full week of May was OMG-crunch-time for Dallas Comic Con, and it was one of those weeks when I woke up at 5:30am to sew before work and hit my craft table again when I got home after my workout. Prettying myself up for Instagram was not on my brain that week, or the following week when I realized I only had two weeks to finish my costumes for A-Kon O_o.

Still, I did make efforts to meet my goal of wearing me-made items at least 3 days a week. Most of the time, though, that meant sliding into either my Renfrew or my Tofino pants the second I got home.

I realized as I went through the month that while I’m churning out a lot of projects, I still don’t have as many basic wardrobe staples as I’d like. I’m guilty of what Tasia refers to as “making frosting.” I have lots of pretty, fun things to wear, but not functional, everyday pieces. The items that I wear the most are my Mabel skirt, my recent skater dress, my Alma tops, my Tofino pants, and my Cambie dress on the days that I need to look a bit more professional.

With that in mind, I decided to alter my project list through the end of the year. Here are the basics I’m hoping to make:

• 3-5 blouses: This is something that I really want to focus on over the next few months. My blouse collection is minimal, and I need more separates to wear with my me-made projects as well as my RTW clothes.
• 3 more skirts: I really need more office-friendly skirts. I’m thinking a pencil skirt, an A-line skirt, and at least one more Mabel.
• 3-5 more dresses: I’m slowly realizing that I really like dresses for work, especially knit dresses. It’s super easy to just grab a cardigan and ballet flats and be ready to go for work. I’d like to make another skater dress, another Moneta (I’ll blog about my first one soon), and another Cambie for sure. I’d also love to hack a Renfrew into a cowl-neck dress (like this beauty. Or this one)! And make another Macaron for work. Just because.
• Trousers: I’ve been avoiding this for months because I’m terrified to fit pants, but it’s time. I’m down to 2 pairs of trousers for work and they’re both pretty much threadbare. I’m thinking Colette’s Juniper, since I have the pattern. Does anyone else have experience with this pattern?
• Coat: The beau and I will likely venture North this winter to visit family for the holidays, and my go-to coat is starting to show its age. I’d love to make Colette’s Anise. I have the pattern and the BF’s mom gifted me some lovely wool for Christmas last year.

I don’t expect to get through all of these, but I am hoping to put a good dent in them. I probably won’t make any more costumes this year after Dragon Con, which will free up a good chunk of time and money to devote to these.

For those of you who participated in MMM, how did your challenge go? Do you have any must-makes now that it’s over?