We’re about a week into the month of May and I’ve been noticing #memademay popping up everywhere. Well, social media “everywhere,” that is. I like to make things, and there’s plenty of May left, so I thought I’d see what it’s all about.
A blogger / author / sewing teacher / dressmaker named Zoe started Me Made May thirteen years ago to challenge makers to wear and appreciate their handcrafted clothing and to foster a loving relationship with their own wardrobes. Along with this comes more awareness of the DIY and handmade mindset, encouraging makers to blend that spirit with their daily lifestyle choices.
Zoe challenges crafters to make a pledge, unique to each maker, to wear items in their handmade wardrobes more often or in different ways. I love that she allows each maker to set their own pledge; I have a lot of knitted items, but nothing in the way of sewn garments, and I can still participate.
Me Made May is not a making challenge or a competition; rather, the goals are to find more joy in the handmade items that you’ve already created, and to mindfully plan out your next wardrobe project piece. There’s no “rule” that you have to post your pictures anywhere or share your pledge with the crafting community; this can just remain between you and your closet.
Zoe has a wardrobe overflowing with beautiful handmade items, and her 2022 pledge is: “I, Zoe, pledge to wear all me-made items in a different, new-to-me combo each day throughout May 2022.” That sounds totally incredible, and for sure an ultimate goal, but this year would find me sporting only socks, shawls, and sweaters each day.
My Me Made May pledge is: “I, Melissa, pledge to wear every knitted top and every pair of knitted socks I have throughout the month of May.”
Set your own pledge:
I, (your name), pledge to (your pledge) throughout May 2022.”
Just a few minutes into my pledge, I can already feel this having an impact on me: I’m a little chilled and, instead of reaching for my favorite hoodie, I dug out a super warm sweater that was put away in my knitwear drawer. I fold my knits and store them in a big drawer under my bed, so they’re not in plain sight when I’m choosing my outfits. One of the wardrobe-relationship building items that jumped right onto my list is to fix this so there’s room for my sweaters and shawls to live where I can see them. I have a feeling that I’ll be pushed out of my current “style” rut, that is, if “lazy gym rat” counts as a “style.”
Two days in, and the wheels of my mind are turning overtime – what will I make next?
I’m taking note of which knits are my go-to and which ones tend to languish, unloved and forgotten about. From there, I’ll know which direction to take whether it be more or fewer sweaters, heavier or lighter weight yarn, or shortie vs calf-high socks.
To learn more about Me Made May, visit Zoe’s blog, So, Zo, What Do You Know? and her Instagram account, @sozoblog. She has some amazing inspiration for sewists, including free sewing patterns and tutorials.
To be inspired by thousands of pictures of beautiful handmade outfits, search #memademay on Facebook and Instagram.
We’d love to hear your pledge if you’d like to share it!
xo
Melissa
PS: Have you ever wanted to turn one of your creations into a sticker? We work with Sticker Mule to create all of our stickers – they make it very simple and their customer service is fantastic! Our favorites are their holographic stickers. We’ve stuck ours to everything from computers to coffee mugs. You can check them out here.
To create a sticker of your own, click here to visit Sticker Mule!
