For the last two years I’ve followed along with Me Made May* from the sidelines. I find it incredibly inspiring to watch as women (there may be men who participate, but I’m not aware of any) spend the month showing off their handmade wardrobe. More than anything, I think its these makers who made me want to try my hand at knitting (and now sewing) garments.
This pile of fabric represents (I hope) three tops and a dress.
I love to knit socks and mittens and shawls and whatnot, but for me, knitting and wearing my first sweater felt like a really big deal. A lot of it, I think, is the visibility. I wear hand-knit socks everyday, but in general, they’re inside my shoes and not something people around me are aware of (I do try to wear my fancier ones to parties though). Knitting a sweater, though, or a skirt, is a real statement. When someone asks you where you got it, you get to tell them that you made it, and then it’s out there.
When I started knitting, I was kind of self-conscious about it. I simultaneously wanted people to notice and comment on it and desperately hoped no one would notice. I’m well past that now, and a few weeks ago, when my stylish and deeply talented colleague asked me where I’d gotten my sweater, I was proud to tell her I’d knit it myself.
I sewed this Scout Woven Tee a few weeks ago. It’s basically just a wearable muslin, but it’s so much better than the actual muslin I made that it feels like excellent progress. I’ve even worn it out!
Knitting, and making in general, is definitely losing its dusty reputation, in part because I think people are realizing the stereotypes they associated with “handmade” just didn’t make sense. Events/series like Me Made May help with that, because seeing a parade of beautiful and stylish handmade garments, made by people from all over the place with different body types and differing amounts of “free” time is a statement about who makers are. Which is to say, potentially anyone.
Grace got put aside again in April, but now I’m determined. I even figured out how much I need to knit each week to finish by the end of the month. (For reference, I’m nearly done the waist decreases.)
I had hoped to participate in Me Made May this year, but I’m not sure I have enough garments to properly do so. So instead, I’m committing to spending this month making clothing I can wear next year (and also, I hope, next month!). On the knitting front, I am determined to finish Grace by the end of the month. I cast-on on June 1, and I’m not sure I want this WIP to turn 1, so I’m buckling down. On the sewing front, I have plans for a couple of new tops and, I hope, a dress. Given that it’s already May 3, I guess I should get to it!
*Here’s a great little primer on Me Made May if you’re not familiar with it. You can also search Twitter and Instagram for the #MMM14 hashtag to find people who are participating.
Pans & Needles 
Good luck with the challenge! I want to try and make some of my own clothes this year! I won’t have time in May through sadly 😦
I wish I could sew my own wardrobe. The chili pepper color of your top is terrific.
have fun with the challenge! I don’t enjoy sewing, but there are so many gorgeous fabrics these days, it’s tempting! your tee is lovely, and the WIP sweater is gorgeous.
Looking forward to following your progress!
I’d love to sew bits of my own wardrobe. I used to be proficient on the sewing machine, but several years of no practice has really done a number on my skill.
I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
You have some lovely fabrics!!! I especially love that teal and white print second from the bottom. Sewing is completely intimidating to me at this point. That Grace is going to be beautiful.
I really like the fabric you picked for your Scout, as well as those other fabrics on the pile in the first photo. Sewing is easy, but making garments that fit well takes alot of trial and error, much more so than in knitting, I think. If you can find a couple of patterns that you like and can nail the fit on those, you can make them over and over again, because the advantage of sewing over knitting is that it goes way faster! Like you, I want to finish Grace by the end of June. I’m starting to realize what a slow knitter I really am, so here’s hoping!