MeMadeMay in Quarantine: What We’re Sewing
It’s a huge understatement to say that March, April, and now May have not gone “according to plan.” Part of “the plan” for many sewists each year includes the annual MeMadeMay challenge, to wear and show off your me-mades all month. MeMadeMay in quarantine, with varying stay-at-home orders around the country and world, obviously looks a little different!
But sewists are adaptable folks, and we’re finding ways to participate. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to wear and celebrate the things we made while #sewcialdistancing—beyond but including me-made masks. Let’s take a look at what MeMadeMay in quarantine looks like for each of our Sew & Tell hosts!
Amanda
I guess I sewed a lot during quarantine. In the moments, it didn’t feel like I was actively sewing a ton. But, then again, it was kind of hard to keep track of the days/weeks/time in general!
I sewed many garments: a boilersuit hack, two scrappy Antero Shell Tops, a Suki Robe for my Sew + Tell Podcast #Sewyourroll challenge, an Axis Tank for working out and a Rio Ringer Tee. I finished a few WIPs as well, including my son’s baby quilt (he’s, ahem, 3 1/2) and a pair of linen Burnside Bibs I cut last fall.
And then random sewing projects: lots and lots of masks and a set of ukulele straps. I’m glad and surprised by how productive I was!
Kate
If you’ve been listening to Sew & Tell, you may know that I’ve been in a sewing slump that extended itself into quarantine. I’ve hardly sewn anything, except things for work. I’ve mostly spent my quarantine free time organizing my sewing room — and discovering that my stash is a lot bigger than I thought! On one hand, it’s inspiring to think of what I can do with all this fabric, and on the other hand it’s completely overwhelming.
I’m just trying to gently get back into the sewing habit. I’ve been wearing my Pagosa Pants a lot, so I decided to make another pair with some of my stash fabric. Six weeks in, and they’re my first quarantine garment sewing project. But I managed to actually get them made! I’m pretty entertained by my list of one whole thing compared to Amanda’s output, but it is what it is.
Hopefully this will jump-start my sewing and I’ll be going full speed ahead, creating new things to wear for MeMadeMay!
Meg
Most of the quarantine (well so far) I have been sewing a lot of masks for donation, friends and family. I think actually sewing masks first got me into the sewing zone. Then, at the speed I was sewing masks, I started to sew garments . . .
Just in one weekend I sewed up four tops (Antero Shell x2, Willow Tank and Peppermint Magazine’s Boxy Top) as well as a pair of comfy Ninni Culottes. Most of these garments I can wear during quarantine since they are pretty casual. It’s nice to have casual sewing, but I really do long for a fancy night out look. Honestly sewing during quarantine has really been great, especially during the weekends when I can sew non-work-related garments.
I also kind of fell back in love with machine embroidery since I had time to play around with designs on my new Designer Brilliance machine.
After all this, I think I will emerge with a lot of loose-fitting embroidered clothes, having used up every little bit of fabric in my stash, and I’m excited about it.
Are you participating in MeMadeMay in quarantine this year? If you wear or make a Sew News or Creative Machine Embroidery project, or something inspired by Sew & Tell, be sure to tag us so we can see what you’re up to!
Happy Sewing
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