Discovering 'Me Made May' & why I make my own clothes
- Emily
- May 8
- 3 min read
On 1st May I was scrolling online when I came across 'Me Made May'.
I must have been living under a rock this whole time, as this was the first I had ever heard of it and I decided to look into it more, as it initially sounded like a making challenge.
Started in 2010 by Zoe on her SoZo blog, 'Me Made May' isn't a making challenge like I first thought, or a competition on having the most handmade items, but a fun wardrobe challenge to help you figure out what you love to wear and what you love to make.
Part of the challenge is wearing your me made items (whether that's sewn, knitted or crochet) regularly and/or in different ways throughout the month of May.
More information on 'Me Made May' and how you can participate can be found here 'So, Zo...': Me-Made-May FAQ's
Stumbling upon the Me Made challenge made me think about the reasons how and why I started making my own clothes.
Chance to be creative and expressing myself
I am a serial hobbyist and I love to make, whether that's sewing, knitting, sticking things together with my glue gun, or baking a cake. I get itchy fingers if I'm not making something and I will often take a small project to work on if I'm on a long journey or waiting for an appointment.
My style and what I like to wear has changed over the years. Back in the late 2000s/early 2010s, I was really into the boho style at the time, with long maxi skirts, large disc belts on the hip and a little cropped waistcoat over layers of vests and camisoles. Since having my daughter, my style now leans towards more vintage fashion, from the 1930s all the way to the 1960s, however the boho chick still wants to come out occasionally.
Buying true vintage items and even reproduction can be expensive, so being able to make my own clothes to suit my taste, in the style and colour I want is a bonus.
Fit and size
I sometimes find it hard to get the garment I want in the size I need in the shops and when I do find my size, off the peg clothing doesn't always fit right and can leave me feeling frustrated and loathing the body that I'm in. Learning how to take my own measurements and then making clothes to fit my proportions and body shape means I can adapt the fashions and styles I like into garments that suit me.
Cost and sustainability
Making your own clothes is not necessarily cheaper than buying from the shops, often than not it's more expensive, which is why I try to buy second-hand first. Over the years I have managed to find patterns, yarn, fabric and other crafting equipment second-hand from charity shops and online from eBay and Vinted. I've been lucky enough to find curtains and other textiles reduced to £1 that will make gorgeous dresses. I have also had a lot gifted to me from family, friends and work colleagues, especially when an elderly loved one of theirs has passed away and left their craft collection behind.
I also source as much as I can second-hand to be more sustainable with my making.
100 billion items of clothing are made every year, 92 million tonnes of which will end up as textile waste globally, with the UK sending 350 thousand tonnes to landfill every year.
Buying deadstock fabric as well as second-hand materials and clothing to recycle into other garments, is my small contribution towards counteracting this waste.
Though I feel it's too late for me to make a pledge and fully participate in 'Me Made May' this year, I will definitely try next time.
Have you heard of 'Me Made May' before? Have you joined in and shared your handmade clothing?
