Sunday, May 23, 2010

Me-Made-May - Days 20, 21 and 23

I'll need to re-do Day 22, since I didn't take a picture.

Day 20 (Thursday): I cheated on Thursday. I wore a dress I'd made but it needed a tank top, and I wore a store-bought one. That's using one of my 3 Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free passes. I hope to avoid using the other two. This is Simplicity 3503.



Day 21 (Friday):
I had an early morning flight to Ottawa, but I was up early to hem these pants. Ah, pants. I'll do a whole review post on this one, but here's a sneak peek. These are McCalls 5817 (pants), worn with my worn-to-death white t-shirt (Simplicity 4076, view C.)


Day 23 (Sunday): It was beautiful and sunny, and tomorrow is a holiday. What could be better? Vintage McCalls 5885 - and I'm surprised I'm wearing it as much as I have (this is the 3rd wear since March, which is a success for a dress that has as many gathers around the hip as this one does.)

In which I wander to Ottawa...

I spent Friday and most of Saturday in Ottawa. Friday, I worked - but Saturday was filled with fun.

I wandered down Wellington Street, checking out the pretty buildings.


I saw the Parliment from the outside.


And the Ottawa Locks.


I strolled through Byward Market, admiring the trays of annuals out on display (stopping for coffee and croissants at a very French bakery.)


I went to a park to see the tulips, but these beds were all that was left, the tulips bloomed early this year (it was Tulip festival at Ottawa.)


I had a very enjoyable Saturday morning/afternoon. Ottawa isn't really that far away, but I've never wandered around - it was fun being a tourist for a day.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Me-Made-May - Days 12-19

Massive catch-up.

First, the confession. While I have been following the rules of wearing me-made, I've been slacking off on the rules of photo-taking. So, last night, tripod all set up, I set out to recreate all the outfits I'd been wearing, in order to take photos.

Second, I made myself a black skirt. Instant wardrobe multiplier! You'll notice I've been wearing it non-stop for the last week. Call me boring - but it goes with everything!

With the disclaimer and random comment out of the way - here goes.

Day 12 (Wednesday): I had to work, and then go to a bar, perch on a bar-stool, and watch the Canadiens play the Penguins. This dress worked great for the office, but not so much for the bar-stool. The waist kept riding up, and I'd have to keep tugging it down. I wonder if a waist-stay is meant to solve this?

Biscuit kept wandering over to see what I was doing, and I had to pick up the little monkey. A clearer picture of the dress is here. It is McCalls 5466.


Day 13 (Thursday): Basic white t-shirts are worth their weight in gold. I was not feeling creative today. White t-shirt is Simplicity 4076, view C. The brown skirt is BWOF 12-2009-112. Both repeats in MMM, but then, I hardly sew basics, so it would stand to reason we'd see a lot of them. :)


Day 14 (Friday): The basic black skirt was done (review pending, sigh!) and I promptly pulled it out and wore it. The t-shirt is BWOF, the skirt is McCalls 5817. Black skirts are amazing. Would you believe, prior to this point, I didn't have a black skirt in my wardrobe, sewn or RTW? Tim Gunn would weep. Although I thought I'd love this outfit, I didn't really. The waistband of the t-shirt is tight, and it kept messing with the lines of the skirt. Still.


Day 15 (Saturday): We've already seen this outfit - the first outfit of my May-Mini-Wardrobe. The skirt is Simplicity 4236 View C; the t-shirt is the often-used, always-awesome Simplicity 4076, view C.


Day 16 (Sunday): Hey, look - its the black skirt again (McCalls 5817). This time with the black shirt (BWOF 12-2008-113)! Ahem. I had a brunch to go to at a nice-ish place, I wanted to be a little bit dressed up. This fit the bill. Most of the day though, I spent in me-made lounge clothes, since I had nothing planned after brunch, and used the time to laze and sew.

Day 17 (Monday): Ahem. Woke up late, and Sunday's outfit wasn't neatly hung away. (Shocking!) I just wore it again. (What is the world coming to, I say?)

(At this point in time, I think Biscuit just wanted to get away. Poor Biscuit. Sometimes, she has to indulge me instead.)


Day 18 (Tuesday): Lots of repeats this week. I pulled out BWOF 02-2009-124, which is always easy to wear.


Day 19 (Wednesday): What do you know - its the black skirt (McCalls 5817) again. (Like I said, I wore it to death this week.) This time, I paired it with my BWOF 11-2008-103 top.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

May 2010 Mini Wardrobe: The First Outfit



The t-shirt made a sneak appearance on Day 5 but here's the complete outfit.

What does it say about me that I made the "play outfit" before the work outfit?

Umm. No comment. :)

Details - the skirt is Simplicity 4236 View C; the t-shirt is the often-used, always-awesome Simplicity 4076, view C.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Who, me?


Nope, I didn't wake Reethi up at 4.15am, by putting a paw in her nostril.

I didn't walk all over her stomach until she got out of bed at 5.30am.

I didn't insistently clamour for treats when she crawled into the kitchen, looking for coffee.

Who, me?

Nah, I'm just sleeping in the sun.



Postscript from Reethi: If I treated humans with the patience I treat this cat... I'd be a saint. Biscuit gets away with *everything*, and she never even gets yelled at. Instead, I take adoring pictures of her, and write blog posts on her behalf. Ugh. I disgust myself.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Me-Made-May - Day 10 and 11

Day 10 - I wore this red Vintage Advance dress with a store-bought blue scarf. I love this dress. But, I was not warm...


Day 11 - This 10-2009-115 BWOF dress (another favorite) with another store-bought scarf. I like scarves, they add bursts of color.

Sunday, May 09, 2010

Me-Made-May - Day 8 and 9

Day 8. Toronto weather did not cooperate with Me-Made-May. It was freezing and rainy. I needed pants, so I pulled this out of the discard pile. Looking at the picture, I realize why this was on the discard pile. It does not do me any favors.

On the other hand, this was my first pair of pants, made after 4 months of sewing. I'll cut myself some slack - they aren't terrible, considering. Pattern is Simplicity 4135. The top is BWOF 11-2008-103B, and I love it.



Day 9. Had people over for brunch, so got to avoid the weather and wear a dress, since I wasn't going out. Much easier. I actually don't wear this dress very often - it could fit better, but I love the fabric. I should remake this pattern.

Saturday, May 08, 2010

Me-Made-May - Day 7 and a half



I was fully prepared to spend Friday evening in PJs (me-made, of course!) in front of the sewing machine, but then, I got a rather unexpected call from a rather unexpected friend, inviting me to go see a photography exhibit.

"Umm," I said. "It'll take me 15 minutes to get dressed, and 30 minutes to get there, so I'll see you in 45 minutes." (The boys were very close to the exhibit, and I didn't have a lot of time to get ready.)

15 minute dressing in my world involves throwing on a clean t-shirt and jeans. But, of course, I don't have a pair of jeans I've sewn, so instead I threw on this skirt, a black tank top, and boots.

Beer, concert, photo-exhibit, Korean food and rice wine, and martini bar followed, all interspersed with pouring rain, and freezing temperatures. (Did I mention I was wearing a tank top, though with a hoodie thrown on top? Luckily, one of the boys took pity on me, and gave me an additional layer. I was cold!)

I've therefore cropped my face, since I took this photo when I walked in the door at 3.00am, and I look like something the cat dragged in.

Good times!

Friday, May 07, 2010

Me-Made-May - Day 7


A certain someone woke me up at 4.30am by walking on my stomach demanding to be petted. As punishment, she is being forced to participate in the photo shoot. I have to get even somehow. ;)




Twin-set: McCalls 4923 - now OOP. Skirt: BWOF 12-2009-112

Interesting thing about the twin-set, I loved it when I made it, but now, a year and a half later, all I can see are the flaws. In fact, this is probably getting tossed in the recycle pile. The facings don't lie flat - neither does the button band... I might try the April BWOF cardigan to see if I can get that to work better.

Had the hardest time getting dressed this morning - changed outfits 4 times. If I don't sew work clothes this weekend, I run the serious risk of wearing nothing to work. Plus, while I'm about it, I should stop eating crap, I've put on 5 pounds or so, not terrible, but it is making me look at all my clothes with disgust. Double-sigh.

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Me-Made-May - Day 6 (Work & Play)



On the left, what I wore to work today. On the right, what I intend to wear when I go out shortly.

I was fiendishly uncomfortable with the work look. I am just not used to layering shirts, etc in nontraditional ways. I kept tugging at the stupid shirt and the belt... it felt trendy in a ridiculous way.

On the right, much more my speed. Easy and relaxed.

The dress is Simplicity 2933. The shirt is Butterick 4985. Store bought belt for work, store bought scarf for play.

Is it sad I have to reach back 2 years to find sewing basics? I think so.

May 2010 Mini Wardrobe: Changing my mind...


I am *bored* of McCalls 5474. I've made it here, here and here. And its time to move on, and pick a different pattern.

Enter Simplicity 4236 View C instead.

Ok, what a simple pattern this skirt is. One pattern piece. About 20 minutes to cut out, and so far, in less than an hour, I've cut it out, sewn the side seams, basted the zipper, stopped to take a photo, and blogged about it. (The last two activities do nothing towards getting the skirt finished, but I wanted to stop and try it on at this stage anyway.)

Only downside, I need to let it hang overnight before I mark and cut my hem. I don't think it will stretch out much - we shall see.

And I love my fabric so much. How pretty! New York shopping trip damage - well worth it.

Wednesday, May 05, 2010

Me-Made-May - Day 5


Suddenly, my wardrobe has doubled. Maybe even tripled.

Hot of the sewing machine, my white t-shirt. Wow. I love white t-shirts, they go with everything.

T-shirt - Simplicity 4076, view C. Piece 1 of the mini-wardrobe.
Skirt - Simplicity 4036
Store-bought scarf.

I was trying for an action shot - I went to a restaurant that had a vegan tasting menu for dinner, but the only person I was comfortable enough asking to take my picture (its a pretty random request, don't you think?) was seated in a different table. Hence, pictures taken on auto-settings in my apartment corner.

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Me-Made-May - Day 4

Easier choice today, it was warm enough for this dress - BWOF 02-2009-124. This is one of my favorite dresses, it is very comfortable, and still work-appropriate. (If you accept the fact that I don't sew tailored separates, and therefore don't really dress to the norm at work.)


And here's where Biscuit decided to curl up last night.

Monday, May 03, 2010

May 2010 Mini Wardrobe: The Planning Stages


Nope, before you check, PatternReview isn't running a mini-wardrobe contest. This however was going to be my plan for the last contest.

Now that Me-Made-May has exposed the serious lack of basics in my wardrobe, I think I'll go back to this plan and see if I can sew it up.

On the cutting table (aka the dining table) right now, the most essential of items - a white t-shirt. And I don't actually possess one, sewn or RTW, since white t-shirts and me aren't meant to be. (Ketchup? Assorted Indian spices? Ink? All of these have ruined previous white t-shirts.)

Me-Made-May - Day 3


I didn't plan what I was going to wear, so this isn't the most inspiring thing I own.

In fact, my parents and my brother thought I should get rid of the skirt. Ah well. The top, on the other hand? I'm pretty sure I'll be wearing this top a lot during MMM. It goes with almost anything, and how fun are polka dots?

The top is BWOF 12-2008-113. The skirt is BWOF 03-2008-114.

To celebrate MMM (or perhaps by coincidence) my mom wore a Reethi-made-top. The only thing I've made for her, coincidentally the same pattern as my shirt.

Sunday, May 02, 2010

Cooking up a feast

Read more here about the Madhur Jaffrey project - one of my 2010 goals. For an index of recipes, click here.

A couple of weeks ago, I invited my parents, brother and some friends over for dinner. (A potentially-disastrous combination, but good times were had by all.)

I made an ambitious 8 items from the cookbook. (Which is actually why I hosted the party. I wanted to cook stuff and check it off. Bad Reethi.)

My mom came early to help, and I roped in my brother for chopping help as well. Still, for about a week after this dinner, I didn't want to enter my kitchen at all.

April 11, 2010: Dinner with Friends and Family.

From left to right: Zucchini meatballs, Cauliflower in a cashew and sesame seed sauce

From left to right: Tomatoes cooked in the Delhi style, Dum aloo

On the bottom: Chickpea salad

Katte baigan (Sour eggplants)

Yogurt with zucchini

Rice with paneer and peas

Me-Made-May - Day 2



If it looks like I just got out of the shower, it is because it's true. But my parents' backyard is a lot nicer to take pictures than my boring apartment. My poor mom got roped into taking pictures again, but she did good this time. (There's still hope, ma.)

This is Simplicity 2938. I've made it twice before (here and here) as the top version, and this is the dress version, made 2 years ago? I like the fun print (a Value Village find, score!)

Me-Made-May - Day 1



I wore this dress for Me-Made-May day 1. All I had to do today was meet some friends for drinks in the evening. This dress fit the bill just fine.

The odd thing - I wore this dress, and I immediately focused on the fact that the back is quite puffy. (The back bodice has pleats, and this causes it to stick out rather funnily. I'll change them to darts the next time I make them.) And that the bodice has a seam in it, and doesn't have as many flowers, since I'd made a mistake cutting, and didn't cut the center front on the fold.

However, I got a ton of compliments on this dress, and a lot of them were from people that had no idea I'd made this dress. So go figure. I think we just focus on the flaws as sewists, when other people are looking at the fun print, or something.

Off to find something to wear now.

Saturday, May 01, 2010

Me Made May - Day 0, creeping into Day 1.

I dug this dress out of the laundry last night so I could wake up in official Me-Made-May style. (This t-shirt dress quickly got converted into a lounging/sleeping dress, partly because it is so comfortable, and partly cause it highlights the tummy, and I therefore won't wear it outside the house.)

I'm still lounging, but when I eventually get up and get going (something that does not happen in the mornings on the weekend, sleeping-in is amazing, and I look forward to the weekends mainly for that!) I will take photos...