So I was wondering whether to do a me-made May summary, whereby I drone on about “what I learned” and all that blahdeblah, or to just stick with my schedule of a brief monthly update on my Year of Handmade.
Clearly, the latter won out, hehehe. Although I have been joining in with the me-made May crowd, and have the Flickr album over there to show for it, although to be honest, I feel like my year of handmade is a far bigger challenge, and the month of May is just a small chunk out of that particular cake.
Above is pictured a selection of my favourite 100% self-made outfits for the month; and actually, showcase quite a variety of my handmade shoe collection too. Six different pairs! Out of a total of fifteen, not counting the two pairs that have died. Okaayy. I’m mildly impressed with myself, actually. Who’d have thunk it? not me, that’s for sure…
So, what’s what? Well, of course the shoes do continue to be the challenge, the biggie; in fact I reckon are the only challenge for me, full stop. I haven’t lost any shoes this month, due to hard wear or weather or inappropriate choices for the given activity or anything (phew) but I’ve had to perform some running repairs. I’ve found superglue to work in a pinch and in tight spots, but ultimately contact gel adhesive is the best.
Anyway, minor celebrations are going on, albeit just in my head! since….
I’m a quarter of the way through! WOOOT! I’m pretty excited about that, feels like a bit of a milestone. That’s autumn polished off, though I’ll admit autumn is a pretty non-demanding season, shoe wise. Winter is going to be the acid test. Eeeeek.
The entire collection of my outfits so far can be viewed here…
I am so enjoying seeing all your makes put together into a collection. As if the clothes aren’t amazing enough, there are the shoes!
Wow!! Your so inspiring!! Can you show me the link to that stunning coat, bottom, middle picture?
grey wool coat
thank you! and all the links to every piece I made and am wearing are in my Year of Handmade Flickr album 🙂
Have you ever thought about blogging the “dead” shoes? I would be so curious to see that they look like now, how they fell apart, and why, and what you would do differently – if anything.
Well, I don’t think the challenges are in conflict. Me-Made May’s just become something like a little over 1/12 of the Year of Handmade for you this year 🙂
Really inspiring, Carolyn. Your clothes are beautiful, and now the shoes are a new frontier
Caroline I am such an unabashed fan 🙂 I always mention your blog at my sewing group (whenever I get the chance to blather on about sewing blogs in general -being the geek in the group). I love your self awareness – what suits you not just in style but in lifestyle too – your attention to detail and precision and the way you partner fabric to pattern is always brilliant as well. You SHOULD be proud of yourself. You are a tremendous inspiration to many besides myself I’m sure.
every thing is nice !
I love to see your outfit variations. Your dedication to an entirely handmade wardrobe is really inspiring. I have no inclination to make absolutely everything, but it’s nice to see the results of someone who actually does.
And you should feel a HUGE sense of pride in what you are achieving! You are doing great and I really like the word Sue used…. Collection….. ! Look forward to seeing what you do next! 🙂
Carolyn,
I find it quite impressive that you’ve actually decided to hold out with handmade alone for a whole year. Not that I believe the clothes side would have been a problem at all for you. But when I think of all the different types of weather your shoes are going to have to weather 😉
When I think of our weather here wellies and snow boots come to my mind instantly. And maybe something dressy for the nights out? Just when I imagine what my first attempts at shoemaking would probably look like 🙁 For me of course underwear would also be a challange…
I didn’t want to blahblah for too long 🙂 This was just what came to my mind when thinking about a year of handmade.
So I’d like to tell you to hold out and have some more shoe fun. I’m looking foreward to seeing the results very much.
Impressive! … you commitment to a self made wardrobe is INSPIRING!
I saw this and thought of you and your shoemaking. Could be a good summer option.
http://makeanddocrew.com/free-crochet-slippers-pattern-flip-flops-sole/
You’re looking fabulous as usual! I really like outfit no. 3, that pullover looks so cozy while still very stylish!