2018 MMMay – What did we learn?

I had the MOST fun this year during MMMay18 – more than I have had in previous years.

What was different?

Mostly my attitude. I went into to this May with a positive, open attitude and embraced the selfie-fun.

I also went into it with a real challenge. I’m a fairly confident sewist, so I needed to find something that would kick my butt a little bit and keep me humble.

We all know where those areas are, and the only way to move past any obstacle is to take it face-on. Of course, I still hope the car engine light goes off on its own – so take this life advice with a LOT of salt

I learned that even after removing what little RTW clothing I had, and moving little/never worn me-mades into their place, I still won’t wear makes that were in the flop-category. I’m looking at you, Lisette dress.

I also learned I wear tanks layered under clothes a LOT. Mostly cheap, cotton kinds from Gap Body or Target or whatever.  I’ve just purchased these out of lazy convenience – I don’t even like how they fit. So I whipped up a racer-back tank pattern, and got a few of those done. Some scrap-busting Seamwork Geneva panties while I was at it too…. You can bet this will be my summer  uniform when it gets hot.

My biggest surprise: the Seamwork Mojave and the Colette Aster shirt. I own the patterns, but not sewn yet (story of my life.) I picked up 2 Mojave dresses and an Aster at the Colette sample sale just at the end of April.

I wore both Mojave dresses and the Aster at least 2x each during MMMay18. I wasn’t sure at first, and thought I might want to turn the Mojave dresses into shirts….I figured they’d be too much like the Lisette and I’d feel pregnant-looking, but I REALLY love them.

My lesson here is that I need to go back to the the drawing board with dresses. I know I like tight-fitting maxis like the Kielo Dress. I strongly dislike the Lisette and the Itch-to-Stitch dress I made last year. So…I’m thinking I dislike fit/flare in general, but I am ok with volume in the right places. Or perhaps, fit/flare that’s too high-waisted?

Hmmm. I am really drawn to the Sew House 7 Tea Dress, above on dress form… and I know I love the Sew House 7 Burnside bibs already… is it too much like the Lisette? Should I try the Washi super pack I already own? Should I just get my butt in gear and draft stuff like I keep meaning too?

I also wear my Akita shirts A LOT, but want something else in that category. I have a pattern I want in my head….also listed under the ‘get my but in gear and draft’ category.

Along with my Akitas, I wear my Oslo sweaters and my jeans enough that I can justify making more. Ditto button up shirts. I don’t like my Agnes tops at all, however. Those will get donated.

I’ve got a pattern test wrap dress on the table now, and a few pairs of pants in the queue before I delve into that too much, so I’ll just enjoy my Mojave sale-scores for now.

How was your MMMay? What did you learn? What are you missing? Is there some magical design out there you wish existed?

3 Replies to “2018 MMMay – What did we learn?”

  1. Maybe just go to the mall and try on dresses to see what styles you like? You don’t have to buy anything just use their samples : ) I know I find it really difficult to figure out what I like sometimes.

    1. It really incongruent, isn’t it? The time it takes to pattern and tailor and have a flop or two vs trying on styles, why wouldn’t I do that?

      I find I veer far away from expected styling, in my aesthetic preferences – and am still breaking the “safe styling” habit. I used to stock my office-warrior-wardrobe with Banana Republic, J Crew, Anne Taylor, and the occasional Nordstrom splurge because that was my time-constraint. I didn’t have time to think of me being a mom/wife/workerbee. Now that I have had the privilege to stop that cycle and make my focus fashion, personal and otherwise… I’m finding it wouldn’t do me any good to go in and try to shop, even if just for shape preferences. I’m too tall, I’m a D-cup on an hourglass, and I just plain don’t like what is out there. 😀

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