Sew Chaotically! ~ Me Made May Days 25, 26, 27 and today - a pretty blouse

To catch up...

Me Made May Day 25!  Bit of a repeat, but I love this versatile Peppermint Peplum Top by In The Folds so much this may be how summer rolls!  My photog cracks me up!!!

Me Made May Day 26! Love this breezy African Wax Print Inari top.  Will probably make it a smidge longer next time.

Me Made May Day 27!  This Polly top, one of several I've made, is perfect in hot weather!  I made this one using a remnant of a baby gingham I had on hand and a past its prime fine knit sweater!

 And for Me Made May TODAY:  a bit of a cheat.  Having spent the day "cleaning the forest" as the kids used to say when I went after the Virginia Creeper and such in the wooded areas we have on our property with my weed eater, I figured that was an "outfit" that needed no documentation!!!  BUT ~ I made this pretty little top at the end of April to wear to Char's wedding where it was lovely, easy to wear and great for partying with the sisters!!!

You gotta love Sister Sledge!!!  Bahaha!!!

Anyhow, I thought today I'd share it!  It started with this pretty, sheer crepe I got in Walthamstow Market during our London trip!  Only two pieces of that haul remain unused!  When I saw the dress Ruthie was going to wear and learned that the guys would be wearing khakis, I knew the perfect outfit for the event.  This fabric, made up in a pussy bow top using  (B6578 made previously here sans bow!) paired with these perfect pants (B6178)!!!


I used French seams throughout.  Added a narrow elastic to the sleeves.  And I think it turned out really well.  Better, in some ways, than the one made previously in the Liberty Print as this fabric drapes so softly.

Isn't it pretty?

And yes...to continue our Melanoma Awareness PSA...

Not all melanoma is due to tanning.  But, your odds of acquiring melanoma, not to mention other skin cancers, age spots, and wrinkles, sure increase when you do!!!  Just say'n!!!! Live and sew chaotically! ~ les

Sew Chaotically! ~ Cute linen top and refashioned skirt! A message about scars.

Recently I've embraced going through my stash, utilizing ALL bits and bobs, rethinking patterns into new uses without buying more, completing planned projects, and filling some holes in my wardrobe.  I've added needed robes and gowns.  Found ways to utilize scraps (from seam binding to pouf-to-be stuffing, to tops for play) and refashion unused items into more useful pieces.  This outfit ticks a couple of those boxes!!!

From these two patterns, the one on the left given to me from a friend who had been gifted it from another, and an old a-line skirt pattern I've used a zillion times, along with....








...some green floral print quilting cotton from a "play sack dress" when I was pregnant, lactating and chasing small children that I haven't worn in YEARS, but had saved because the fabric was pretty, combined with a bit of fabric purchased for what purpose I know not....back when Roo was about 4 years old...used only to make a little apron for her at one point ~ I made this!!!!

A light weight linen blend with beautiful drape, probably from the now defunct Hancock's Fabric.

Loving my roses, brought to one part of my yard from my childhood home many years ago with a sprig planted along this trellis last year.  Skirt made with already existing slits in the material cause I had to...and...I like it!!

Ta-dah! Useful pieces that can be happily worn in lots of combo's from 'worthless' remnants!

Continuing May's Melanoma Awareness ~ just as pretty outfits can be created from things that are scarred and could easily be tossed in the bin as ruined, marred, no longer of use ~ so can a beautiful life...

Or as I put it SCARS are more than skin deep. The love that sees me through....

And there is this beautiful paragraph from: Little Bee, by Chris Cleave

"On the girl's brown legs there were many small white scars. I was thinking, Do those scars cover the whole of you, like the stars and the moons on your dress? I thought that would be pretty too, and I ask you right here please to agree with me that a scar is never ugly. That is what the scar makers want us to think. But you and I, we must make an agreement to defy them. We must see all scars as beauty. Okay? This will be our secret. Because take it from me, a scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, I survived."

Live and sew chaotically! Scars and all.  ~ les

Sew Chaotically! ~ Me Made May and Melanoma Awareness! Days 21, 22, 23!

Today!!

Ain't brushed my hair.  No time to care, with a bit of bean picking in a cool little me made shift!!  McCall's 6074.  Technically designed for a knit.  But it worked out with no need for the elastic under the bust in this cool cotton eyelet. 

May 22!

Cool comfort for the win in seersucker. Butterick's 5890 fit and flare top.  Really recommend.  It's a really great fit and easy to make!

May 21

Navy throw.

I love to crochet, but usually in the winter, when you have the desire to snuggle under a blanket but look productive at the same time!!  Have been working on this little throw over the past few months while sitting with a convalescing friend.  With only the last row to go, decided to finish it off this morning.  It is part of a sitting room overhaul that is not yet complete but has everything to do with these yet to be finished sashiko embroidered pillow covers....

Scott boy stoked about it, despite my procrastination!!!

May's Melanoma Awareness Message ~

It's ALL that!!!  Live and sew and grow and play chaotically! ~ les

Sew Chaotically! ~ Peplum Top for MMM 2019 Day 20!

I've been waiting for a bit of linen to make into this top for some time.  When I found this fairly heavy nubby linen at Fine Fabrics in Atlanta, I knew it would be perfect!

While a lighter weight fabric would be pretty in this little Peplum Top (a free pattern by In the Folds!!!  BTW!!!) I love how the more substantial linen works for this one!

The pattern calls for a super cute v-neck in the back, but I made this one with a simple curved crew neck in the back.

Notes on the changes I made include using bias binding for finishing the neck, arms and hem and adding 3 1/2 inches to the bodice portion as the top is quite cropped.  I flat felled all seams.  This fabric was a pleasure to work with and a little effort on the details made it special.

Thanks to Peppermint Magazine and In the Folds for this great pattern!!!  I love my top!!! Sew Chaotically! - les

Sew Chaotically! ~ Inari Top in an African Wax Print for MMM2019 Day19

If you are still squinting from the Super Bright and Fabulous Robe I made in a vivid red and blue African Wax print, you may want to put on your shades!!!

I used this leftover bit to make an Inari top!!!  I've loved making/wearing the two Inari tee dresses by Named Patterns I've made (mine and dear Danita's) and this easy top is perfect.  I am very happy with it!  I made it exactly as prescribed.  Will probably add a couple inches to the length, as I am 5'9'', should I make another.  This is the first of several simple summer tops I'm planning to add to my wardrobe over the next little bit!

And in continuing my efforts regarding reasonable info to aid in Melanoma Awareness May....
Got sunscreen questions?  This article may help:  The Skin Cancer Foundation's Guide to Sunscreens

Important stuff!  Protect the skin you're in and ~ sew and live BRIGHTLY!!! - les

Sew Chaotically! ~ Celestial Archer and melanoma message! MMM2019 Day 18

My love of the Grainline Studio's patterns that I've tried has been pretty clear on this blog.  Today I enjoyed my recently created Celestial Archer.  Deets here!

As Melanoma Awareness May continues, though I may have worded some of this a bit differently and the details could be expanded, it is still pretty good and I certainly applaud In Style magazine for publishing it:  All Five Stages of Melanoma — Explained by a Dermatologist

I'm all for getting melanoma info out there, anywhere, anytime, any place!!!  Take care of yourself!  Sew and live chaotically!!! - les

Sew Chaotically! ~ Me Made May Day 17 hanging on to those island vibes with a Tortuga tee and Demi Pants from Tessuti!

If you've hung around this blog for even a minute, you know of my love of turtles and their special longevity charm!!  We were psyched to find Tortugas' Lie Restaurant in Nags Head!!!

Delicious scallops and boiled shrimp with the cutest beach bum ever!!!

Even though we are back to reality, with a day that included a short run, yard work and laundry, I'm hanging onto those island vibes with a Tortuga tee paired with my me made Demi pants!!

Tessuti's Demi Pants are so cool in this lovely linen from Gail K Fabrics in Atlanta and perfect for dressing up or down!

I love the way the pant cuff is treated and so glad I added decorative stitching along the leg!

Melanoma awareness.  It matters.

Sew and live chaotically! ~ les

Sew Chaotically! ~ Me Made Day 16 Melrose skirt and Sasha t for beach walk and trip home!

A beautiful walk on the beach before heading back to our mountain.  Me mades for a comfy drive?  A Sasha Basic InstincT and Melrose skirt by Aime Comme Marie.  Two FREE patterns BTW!

Every bit of love, care, and attention - for yourself or a loved one - makes a difference.  Melanoma Awareness!!

Thanks OBX and Bentie for a wonderful trip!  Live and sew chaotically! - les

Sew Chaotically! ~ Me Made May Day 15 Nikko top and Maxi skirt for OBX tour!

Ready for a driving tour of the Outer Banks from Corolla to Duck to Nags Head to Hatteras.  So lovely!!  And the perfect me made for comfort and coverage on lots of beaches?

My Nikko mock turtle neck by True Bias with an a-line maxi skirt using New Look 6053.

You know you're on vacation when these delicious Duck Donuts..

...are LUNCH!!!  YUM!!!

Light houses, waves, and beautiful flowers - thanks OBX!!!

And yes....still thinking about Melanoma Awareness May -

....at least!!!  And avoid mid-day sun.  An umbrella is not just for rain.  Keep a wide brimmed hat and protective clothing on your bod!  Protect the skin you're in!!!

Sew and live chaotically!!! - les

Sew Chaotically! ~ Me Made May Day 14 - a turtle Hollyburn skirt for a swamp tour!

Ruthie is so sweet, gifting me with this "Tallahassee Turtle fabric" last year.  I wrote this post about it which includes many of my turtle tales and deets on this make! There could be no better me made to wear during a swamp tour of the Outer Banks!!!

Hollyburn skirt by Sewaholic Patterns, and since it was a little cool, my super well worn Jean Jacket made from Buttericks 5616 and rtw tee.

I enjoyed the incredible beauty of the swamp with my best bug feeding buddy!!! Live, sew and travel chaotically...enjoying all the beauty as you go! - les

Sew Chaotically! ~ Me Made May Day 13, When you love something...set it free!

I love all my me mades!  But some of my early makes were not terribly well done.  Some were not made in the best or most appropriate fabrics.  Some were not really my style.  Some just didn't fit me as they should.  I am happy to say that I have improved in all those categories and super happy when I can find uses for the makes that have issues.  I refashion them when I can - like turning a dress into a skirt as I did here.  But when the garment is sound, what I like best is finding a perfect home where it will be used and loved.  I made this cute little shirt dress (S8014) in 2016 and did a really great job on it!!  It just wasn't quite long enough, especially since given its shape it tends to ride up when you sit!!  So it was rarely worn.  Which made me sad.

But.....

...it found a home.  On a dear friend of the perfect size!!!  Now it's a PERFECT Me Made!!!
Sew and live and share chaotically! - les