Inspiration from Me Made May 2020
Well, I have surprised myself! Never before have I managed a full month-long Instagram challenge. Perhaps it was the slower pace of life in a pandemic. Perhaps it was the laidback nature of Me Made May, without the pressure of a daily theme or a weekly sponsor I was supposed to follow... I just full-on enjoyed myself, digging out me-made garments that I haven't worn for years, and experimenting with outfits, something I haven't really done since I left my 9 to 5 job in 2015. Normally I just sling on the same outfit I've been wearing for the last few days, or I mooch about in my PJs or exercise gear.
It's been lovely to find new sewing friends to follow. With many of us posting each day, it's felt like I've been able to get to know them a bit - or at least quickly come to recognise their faces and styles. One has even very kindly gifted me some maternity patterns, after I announced my pregnancy partway through the month.
The #memademay2020 hashtag has been an amazing (/dangerous!) resource for finding new patterns I would like to make, as well as new fabric websites to explore.
I've become aware of how incredibly popular certain patterns are: the Sirocco and Zadie jumpsuits, the Persephone and Hudson pants, the Ogden cami... Part of me finds it surprising, because often we talk about dressmaking as a way of "being different" and having clothes that no-one else has. But I also recognise that it is a way for us to connect with each other, to get excited and inspired by each others' creations, to share advice and pattern hacks, and to ask for suggestions and second opinions. This definitely leads to pattern trends forming within the sewing community and I think Instagram has really helped to boost the smaller independent pattern companies, which is wonderful.
As the month has gone on, I have built up a pattern wishlist, and have already got too excited and bought three of them!
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| Sew Over It Libby Shirt |
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| Friday Pattern Company Wilder Gown |
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| Green Style Creations Stride Athletic Tights |
I made the Libby Shirt in an existing fabric from my stash. I made two Wilder Gowns - one again in stash fabric and the other in a brand new viscose I ordered from the Sew Me Sunshine website - also discovered through Me Made May. I'm just waiting on a couple of swatches from Funki Fabrics before I make the Stride Athletic Tights.
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There are plenty more patterns on my wishlist, which I've share below including links to the patterns, and to my Instagram inspiration. For now, with an increasing need for more roomy garments as my belly grows, I will be prioritising those that are maternity-friendly. The rest will just have to wait til I'm post-bump, sigh.
Thank you to everyone who's taken part, to those that have liked and commented on my posts, and particularly to Zoe, who created the Me Made May challenge. It really has been an incredible source of inspiration, and a great excuse to get dressed up a bit during the pandemic. Of course now on 1st June, I am still sat around in my pyjamas at 3pm. Well, after a whole month, I figured I'd earned a day off!
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