#MeMadeMay2019 is underway and marks a point in the crafting calendar where we celebrate the clothing we have made ourselves and encourage others to do the same. Coming just after #FashionRevolution week, it underlines how important taking a stand against fast fashion is and how we can all do that by making SOMETHING!
We spoke to Mel Forrest, dressmaker and quilter extraordinaire of Stitch Make Bake, and asked her about everything from fast fashion to her inspirations. Mel recently made the Silva dress pattern in a gorgeous summery floral print.
Who inspires you to keep doing what you do?
Sewing can be a solitary hobby, especially when you don’t have friends that sew, but back in November I met Patsy. She is an amazing seamstress and we have become really good friends – we chat about patterns, share advice, encourage each other to buy far too much fabric and even ‘buddy sew’, where we make the same garment at the same time – even though she lives 250 miles away! Having someone to share your hobby with makes it so much more fun and Patsy definitely inspires my sewing.
How has the online sewing & maker community inspired you?
I absolutely love the sewing community on Instagram! It’s full of the kindest, most supportive and inspiring sewists. It’s fantastic to be able to see new patterns and fabrics, but also seeing how people are using them and styling their me-made wardrobes is incredibly inspiring! Ruth of @ruth_sews_runs_bakes set up the hashtag #fabmakesfriday, which people use to share makes they have seen and loved that week. I always find exciting new people to follow on a Friday!
What challenges face you?
It’s really frustrating being full of ideas, motivation and energy for your creative hobbies… and then having to go to work! I’m lucky enough to only work in term-time and I also have a really good work/life balance, so I do get lots of time to sew. I work on sewing projects in the evenings, at weekends and in school holidays – but it would be even better to be able to sew full-time! I love planning my makes as well as sewing them, so you’ll often find me making a list while I eat my breakfast, or doodling a design during a meeting!
What role does creativity play in your life?
I’ve always enjoyed being creative ever since I was little and I have tried my hand at loads of different hobbies, from knitting to ceramics! Sewing is definitely my favourite – I have been making quilts for about ten years and dressmaking for about five. Having a creative project to work on gives me such a sense of purpose and achievement – not just when the project is completed, but when I have overcome an obstacle, solved a problem or learnt a new skill. As I work in a vocation that has the potential to take-over your entire life, I also find creative projects are a great way to make sure that doesn’t happen!
How does the internet and social media have an effect on what you do?
As I’ve already mentioned, Instagram plays a huge part in inspiring and sharing my sewing. I also find the internet invaluable for researching techniques.
Fast fashion, single use consumption and climate change all pose serious threats to us all. How do you think the average person can use making and creating to produce positive changes in their lives?
Sustainability is definitely something I’m conscious of as a maker. Sewing my own garments has dramatically reduced the amount of ready-to-wear clothes I buy and I am much more aware of ‘fast fashion’. Buying something cheap and wearing it once is so damaging and the fashion industry has a long way to go to reduce its impact on the environment. When I do buy clothes, I try to choose brands that are transparent about their manufacturing and materials and I pay more for well-made, quality items that will last me a long time. Sewing your own garments makes you much more conscious of the cost of materials and the labour involved – I think if the average person was more aware of this it might make them think twice about the clothes that they buy and the price they pay too.
Do you remember the first item of clothes you ever made?
I do! I have no idea why, but when I was about 8 my mum helped me to make a bright (and I do mean bright) orange mini wrap skirt! I remember using a proper sewing pattern and her hand-crank Singer machine. My mum doesn’t sew at all – I think we only had the machine for sentimental reasons, but for whatever reason I was determined to make a skirt and she made it happen! Next time I visit her I’ll have to dig around in the loft and see if I can find a photo – embarrassingly, I think I used to wear it quite a lot!
#MeMadeMay2019
Are you interested in learning more about #MeMadeMay2019? Follow Makerist on Instagram to stay up to date with everything in the crafting world.
If you have been inspired by Mel and by #MeMadeMay2019, here are some super simple sewing patterns to get started and make some clothes from scratch. If you fancy your hand at making the Silva dress pattern that Mel made, you can find the pattern here.
1. Basic T-Shirt Sewing Pattern
2. Aria T-Shirt Dress Sewing Pattern
3. Celeste Top & Dress Sewing Pattern
