Do you guys realize that April is over in one day?! It's already May! And you know what that means...MMMay 2016!!
Me-Made-May was a game changer for me in 2015. At the time, I didn't have enough handmade pieces in my wardrobe to make it through a month (unless I wore the same thing more times than is probably socially acceptable). So I goaled myself to either wear one handmade thing each day or to work on making one handmade thing each day. And oh my gosh you guys...goals can be pretty powerful things!
By the end of the month, I had sewn one pair of shorts, two tops, one skirt, one jacket, two dresses, and knit one sweater to add to my closet. I don't think that I've ever been that productive! I had previously questioned my capabilities when I came to making my own clothes, thinking that I'd probably never get to a point where I wouldn't need to buy things to supplement my closet, but Me-Made-May completely changed my outlook.
I started working with knits more, bought a serger, and tried new patterns that tested my skills and pushed me to learn more about my craft. I learned what types of clothes I gravitated towards and which ones stayed in the back of my closet. It truly helped me define my own personal style.
Fast forward eleven months and Me-Made-May in 2016 is about to look a little different. At this point, a significant part of my wardrobe is handmade and I wear at least one handmade item more often than not. It's a complete 180 from where I was this time last year as a maker.
This year, while I still pledge to wear something handmade everyday, I also don't want to find myself in a place where I'm making new things just for the sake of having something exciting to show on Instagram or the blog. I was so incredibly inspired by Karen Templer's discussion on slow fashion in October to be more thoughtful about the pieces I chose to make. So this year for Me-Made-May, I am also pledging to finish all of the projects that I started and were then forgotten for something more exciting, as well as to tackle some of the projects that have seemed intimidating so far (hello denim!). This year, I only want to add pieces to my wardrobe that I know I will get use out of.
On my list to finish for MMMay 2016:
Morgan jeans
Aspen socks
Benton sweater
Stowe bag
Plaid scout
Archer popovers
Nate's quilt
Are you going to be participating in Me-Made-May this year? What is your pledge going to be?
