This post is a quick update on a couple things. First off, May is here!! Also known as Me Made May, and in our household it is also referred to as "Anya is late every day" May. I insist on taking photos in the morning, as I find I am the freshest and haven't gotten grumpy yet. So I just come across nicer in pictures.
Last year was my first time taking part in Me Made May, a challenge ran by Zoe from So, Zo... What do you know? . I loved participating and I am really looking forward to this year! I enjoy seeing what others wear, what the go-to garments are and discovering new patterns. There is just so much inspiration in May!
I am not sure what my goals this year are, other than successfully take a photo of myself every day, which is a lot harder than I imagined. I do wear mostly me mades everyday so that part is covered, but I guess I will challenge myself to think of new outfits and try to find even more holes in my wardrobe. Here is my pledge for this May:
I, Anya from www.anna-zoe.net and @anna.zoe.sewing , sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '17. I will wear at least one me made garment every day for the duration of May, 2017. In doing so, I hope to find more go-to garments as well as challenge myself to create new outfit combinations.
On that note, I think an update on my No Buying Clothes for a Year Challenge is in order! As a reminder, last year I challenged myself not to buy any clothes for a year. Everything that I needed, I had to make myself. I was planning to provide monthly updates, but somewhere halfway through I stopped doing it.
First off, I think I succeeded in my challenge! I didn't buy anything, except for a rain jacket. Which I don't consider a failure, as I don't want to make a technical garment like that, and I really needed one to walk the dogs on rainy days.
I think it was a great challenge for myself, I learned a lot and it definitely curbed my clothing spending habit. Here are some things that came out of it:
I no longer have an impulsive desire to buy clothes and I am a lot more picky when I do. All in all, I think I've only bought a few garments since the challenge has ended
I pay a lot more attention to the fit of the clothes, especially when I want to buy something. It made it a lot harder to shop, as I am not longer willing to forego little fitting issues (I am looking at you, short sleeves)
I also think that not everything needs to be made myself! This was a surprise to me. But the rain jacket is the prime example. The truth is I don't want to make everything. I want to spend my time making garments I truly enjoy making, so I do not oppose buying things at all!
Having said that I want to try and be picky when I spend my money of clothing and I try to buy ethically made items when I can
I spent way too much money on shoes last year.... none of them were ethically made
I also spend way too much money on fabric. Way too much!
I became a lot more picky with my fabric choices. I used to buy just about anything that seemed right, now I am willing to spend more money on quality fabric, even if it means buying less
I wore a lot of ill-fitting pants until I got pant fitting down pat. Those were dark days of 2016
My sewing skills have really increased! By challenging myself not to buy clothes, I inadvertently challenged myself to make garments I otherwise wouldn't or would avoid making because they seemed difficult
All in all, I think it was a great challenge and I am very happy I did it. And even though I don't think that making everything I wear is for me, I do appreciate what I learned throughout past year. Majority of my wardrobe is me-made and I am proud of it!
To wrap it all up, I am super excited for this Me Made May! I can not wait to show you guys some items that I haven't posted anywhere. My closet and I are ready! And I can't wait to spend my nights scrolling through the day's photos of other makers.
Until next time,
Anya
This post is a quick update on a couple things. First off, May is here!! Also known as Me Made May, and in our household it is also referred to as "Anya is late every day" May. I insist on taking photos in the morning, as I find I am the freshest and haven't gotten grumpy yet. So I just come across nicer in pictures.
Last year was my first time taking part in Me Made May, a challenge ran by Zoe from So, Zo... What do you know? . I loved participating and I am really looking forward to this year! I enjoy seeing what others wear, what the go-to garments are and discovering new patterns. There is just so much inspiration in May!
I am not sure what my goals this year are, other than successfully take a photo of myself every day, which is a lot harder than I imagined. I do wear mostly me mades everyday so that part is covered, but I guess I will challenge myself to think of new outfits and try to find even more holes in my wardrobe. Here is my pledge for this May: