The hope cardigan

The first thing I realized during me-made may is that I don't have enough handmade separates. I have made a lot of dresses over the years but not so many tops. And almost no bottoms at all. So basics are much needed. I didn't really know what to make. I wear a lot of long sleeved blouses at the moment but I don't really needed more of them. Trousers would have been an option, if I had more time. I hope I have more time to work on that during my summer break. So what it make? I'm participating again in Allie's social sew I like the concept a lot, an inspiring theme but not to constricting. This month it is me made basics in honour of Me made may.

So I made the hope cardigan from La Maison Victor. A nice easy to make bat-sleeved cardigan. The fabric came form my stash I bought it at a local fabric store. It is a white, navy knit with a bright blue glittering thread running trough. You can see it on the last photo. The navy blue border knit comes from my grandmothers drawer of border knits. I matches the dark blue from the main fabric perfect.

The cardigan was a fast make. I did everything according to the directions except that I turned the collar piece inside-out. And I had the collar run through to the bottom edge instead of cutting it of with the bottom edge of knit ribbing.  

It ended up being a great make for me made may. I have worn the cardigan already a few times. The nice things about this cardigan are the bat-wing sleeves, it means that you can wear them over anything. 

Main fabric:         30€ - Den Boom 

navy ribbing:       free (grandmothers stash)

bordeaux Pam blouse

I'm that pale that I glow in the sunshine. 

I'm still trying to hold up to my pledge for Me-Made-May. To be honest it is not easy. But more on that in the next post where I show you a lot of selfies. 

I almost forgot this blouse, I made it a while ago. I tried to take photos 3 times, first time I forgot the trousers that I wanted to wear with the blouse. And the other photos where to over exposed. These are not great either but I'm not going to take them an other time. The pattern is a great a very classic style with the ties in the neckline. It is the Pam blouse form La Maison Victor. 

I made a size 36 without any alterations. That size always fits me well in their patterns. 

The fabric is some kind of polyester blend. The fabric pressed really well and I was able to achieve a great finish. The best top stitching I have ever done. Maybe slightly to stiff, now I'm looking at the photos. I got a nice wool fabric in the same colour as the blouse that I'm going to use for a skirt. But those are plans for next winter.

Me-Made-May

I almost forgot to post about my participation for Me-Made-May. 

'I, Nathalie from Nathalie Sews, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '16. I endeavour to wear one handmade item each day for the duration of May 2016'

Last year I participated as well and I really liked it, it helped me a lot with finding out what I like to wear. And also with realising that I don't always sew the clothes that I wear most of the time. I don't care that much, I don't endeavourer to make an entire handmade wardrobe. Sewing is a hobby it should stay fun as well. I'm thinking about doing a weekly or biweekly update.