I recently had the privilege of testing the Joey tank by Made Again Patterns. I love the mission of this company; Jessica designs her patterns with refashioning in mind. I have been recycling fabric since I was a 4-Her and love that Made Again gives a bit of structure to beginning refashioners.


All of the fabric and the thread that I used for this project were sourced from ReCraft Indy, a secondhand store for craft and hobby supplies with a focus on sustainability and environmentalism. And the button was an extra from a RTW sweater that was long since moved on from my closet.


I made my own bias tape for this pattern, sewing together pieces of what I think were once quilting scrapes. It was fun and didn't effect the appearance of the final product in any significant way since I positioned the joining seams at the same location on each arm.

I also appreciate that measuring the length needed for shoulder straps was included in the pattern instructions. Nothing is worse than constantly having to yank your straps back up all day!


This pattern is geared toward an "advanced beginner" and it was a fun weekend sew I would recommend to anyone looking for an easy, breezy summer tank. Just imagine all the refashioning possibilities!



Time estimate: 4 hours
Size: Small
Fabric used: cotton, unsure of specific!
Care instructions: cold water wash, line dry (just to be safe)
Cost: $3 estimated

I recently went home for the weekend where I spent hours with my mom looking through her collection of sewing patterns. She let me borrow more than a dozen and my sewing queue is full. Be on the look out for a few vintages pieces in the near future!


This pattern is one that I discovered in her collection, Simplicity A2116. It's a pajama pattern, but I love how classic the shape of this tank top is and knew it would be a quick sew. And Mom had a bundle of So Sew English fabric she was willing to share! You know how I'm a sucker for a good floral.


The pattern instructions called for turning under and top stitching all raw edges, but Mom and I wanted to add a neckband and armbands for a more classic look. To create these pattern pieces we measured the arm holes by standing a measuring tape on its edge and reduced the length to 87.5% of the opening length and adding 1/2" for the seam allowance. I sewed these in first and liked the finished product, but it was a tight fit, so I tried 90% of the opening length plus 1/2" seam allowance for the neckband. Although it was easier to add the neckband than the armbands, I would like the neckband to fit a bit more snugly and would reduce it to 87.5% if making this tank top again. The neckband and each armband was cut at 2" in depth.


I was able to try a new, more decorative stretch stitch on the hem of the tank top and serged all interior seams with nylon stretch thread on both loopers. This tank top is sewn to be lived in, and I'm sure it will get a lot of wear this summer.


Time estimate: 3 hours
Size: 10
Fabric used: knit blend from So Sew English scrap bundle, unsure about specifics!
Care instructions: cold water wash, line dry (just to be safe)
Cost: free to me!

I recently made Mimi G's high-waisted skinny pants, Simplicity 8655, using stretch gabardine suiting from Minerva Crafts and LOVE how they turned out! Thankfully I was able to sew along with Mimi herself through her amazing sew along video on Youtube. You can read all about my experience making these pants on Minerva's blog here!

Now I've made both the tie-front top and pants from the same pattern, both using Minerva fabrics. You can see my tie-front wrap top blog post here. I love both of these pieces, together or separately!


This fabric was gifted to me by Minerva Crafts. You can purchase the John Kaldor Paris silky satin fabric and stretch gabardine suiting through my affiliate links here.

Pictures by Sara at saraballenger.

Thanks for having me test the fern top Casey!

Time estimate: 3-5 hours
Size: 6
Fabric used: poly blend from my stash, 1 1/4 yards
Care instructions: cold water wash, tumble dry low

Cost to make fern top:
pattern - $14.00 value
fabric - from my stash
thread - from my stash
TOTAL: $14.00+ value

This year was the first time I participated in Me-Made-May and it was a wonderful experience. I'm so thankful to Zoe from SoZoWhatDoYouKnow for coordinating this pledge. My pledge was, "I, Marissa, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May 2019. I endeavor to wear each me-made item in my closet, finish my UFOs, and learn about what I like to sew and actually wear to inform my future makes. This is my first time participating in Me-Made-May and I hope to document my journey!


I did start and complete a few mending projects I have been meaning to get to, making for a few more wearable items in my closet. Although I have a few additional mending projects to get to, this was a great place to start.

I learned that I prefer to wear earth-toned textiles and that have largely sewn business casual and formal wear up to this point. Most me-made garments in my closet are tops and I have very few warm-weather appropriate pieces. I also learned that if I make a toile I have rarely made the originally intended garment in my fashion fabric, even if I already purchased the fabric for it! I hope to spend the last half of the year working on these pieces as well.


During May I paid a lot of attention to the Refashion Revolution week and even watched The True Cost. I want to be more intentional about what I'm sewing in the future, not just getting swept up in the social aspects of a variety of Instagram challenges however fun those may be. I think I will focus on elevating my craft in the future, making fewer and more high-end pieces. I've already started by being more intentional about connecting with other local seamstresses and planning my future projects with the free Seamwork collection planner.


As you can see I did a fairly good job of documenting what I wore this month through pictures. I enjoyed the process, although I did spend a bit more time getting ready in the morning! There were only five days in the month that I didn't wear at least one me-made garment, one for a sick day and four for camping. I will probably also think about sewing some athletic and athleisure pieces in a future as well.

Did you participate in Me-Made-May this year or a previous year? Would you like to do it in the future? I think I will do it again!