Unbelievably this is my 10th year participating in May Made May. That feels both long and short, because I remember so well the feeling of not having enough me mades to participate the whole month, but I’m sat here with a bursting wardrobe of probably close to 200 makes, some old and some newer; some poorly finished and some I’m very proud of, but all of them part of my learning curve.
When I try to explain Me Made May to people who don’t sew I think it might sound trivial. Also as someone who wears me mades every day, for me that isn’t the challenge anymore. But to those who know, it’s not just an opportunity to show off our makes, it can sometimes be just the tonic to actually get dressed, and at the same time get inspiration from others, or discover some lesser worn makes. It’s a celebration of sewing and sewists, whatever their skill level or the size of their wardrobe. It’s this secret club where everyone is going out and living different lives in their me mades but coming together through a little screen to say ‘thanks I made it’.
There were some years that I absolutely didn’t feel like participating, but there’s something about the community that sucks you in. There’s something about it falling in May, which in London is the time when we start to see the sun, and bringing out my summer makes at this time helps me rediscover some loved ones and assess how my style is evolving each year.
In 2019 I was made redundant in May and I had no reason to get dressed other than this challenge. It actually ended up being my favourite year because I had time to dedicate to it and get inspiration for new makes. Fast forward to now and I have still been sewing of course, but I have fallen out of love with documenting it – part algorithm issues and partly because I don’t feel like taking pictures. It made me realise that, for me, the love of it all was never about showing off my makes. It was about the genuine connections with the sewing community, many of whom I am happy to call my friends.
So I’m participating this year and not overthinking my photos – I’ve set up a tripod in my sewing room and I’ll just take a snap each day. And I can’t wait to see everyone else’s makes and get some much needed inspo for the summer.
If you’re on the fence or overthinking participating, however big or small your wardrobe just start, and think about all the friends you might make along the way.
And please enjoy a decade of Me Mades documented below, photos that would not have existed without this amazing challenge from Zoe (sozoblog).
Kate Eva 