First Cut Is The Deepest

It's the first day of Me Made May!  For anyone who doesn't already know, it's an annual event (every May, funnily enough) that the lovely blogger Zoe started in 2010.  For more info you can read this post, but basically you pledge to dress in all, or at least some, handmade clothes every day for a month. This is my pledge:-

'I, Gill, of http://vintagerockchick-gill.blogspot.co.uk, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '15. I endeavour to wear at least one me-made item of clothing (sewn or knitted) each day for the duration of May 2015 and at least one of those each week to be a frock!

(I've made loads and don't wear them often enough)

The point is, you are supposed to wear the things that you've already made, the idea is NOT intended to have you stitching into the small hours like a woman possessed.  

Except.....  over the last couple of years I have made quite a few quirky skirts and a number of frivolous frocks, but fewer garments that are designed for a normal(ish) person of mature years to wear in real life.  And, as I'll be going for a few longish walks with friends, and dyeing fabric and other similar 'messy' activities during the course of the month, I thought I'd better take stock and look for 'gaps' in my handmade wardrobe for everyday garments.  

Which is my excuse for the sewing frenzy that has been going on here for the past week or so.  It's been good though, all fabric from my stash - it's barely made a dent.  

I've made pyjama trousers from this brushed tartan ....

a pair of skinny trousers from this stunning star struck stretch denim (alliteration rules)

a top from this birdie fabric from here (they still have some, if you're quick)

and a dress from this sewing related linen (from same place as the birdie print)

This much stitching obviously results in the odd injury - you'd be surprised just how far a quilter's pin can insert itself into your leg when you wiggle out trousers that are in the 'fine-tuning' process. 

However, I digress.  I still have one or two plans for more practical items in the near future, although rest assured, there will still be ridiculous frocks.

So today I met friends for knitting.  Please note - we are not a 'Knit and Natter group - we don't natter, we discuss. Diverse topics covered today included the forthcoming election, the inefficiency of the tax office, yarn shops and brocantes in France, the vast revenue generated from Speed Awareness courses, and shirtless scything.  (If you don't understand the last bit, you must be from Mars.)

So, today's MMM garment is a Merchant and Mills factory dress, made from some men's suiting fabric that I bought on my first trip to Goldhawk Road a few months ago.  I think it's Prince of Wales check, and has a generous proportion of wool in it.  It looks dark grey, but it also has a fine cerise-y pink check running through it. 

I know it's a bit on the loose side, but that's the style of the pattern and I quite like it. As I knew today would be a photo opportunity, I took a belt for styling purposes

The pattern was a dream to make up, and I loved making it - partly the brilliant pattern with clear instructions, and partly the fabric.

This is me explaining to the ladies of the tea room why I was having so many photos taken, and then, briefly, the concept of Me Made May

And the location?  The Brewery Tea Rooms in Walkern

It was so lovely, with great coffee, lovely food and pretty surroundings, that we're going there next time we meet too. I can recommend the cheese scones, and later on today, I'll probably be able to recommend the Millionaire's shortbread, as I bought some to take home.

Well, it would be rude not to.

First Cut Is The Deepest - Cat Stephens (etc, etc)