Alyx V

Tens across the board. I’ve really been feeling my outfits this week! Me Made May has really breathed new life into my wardrobe and I find myself feeling so appreciative of all the solid pieces that have carried me through the years. Day 5: Sunrise Skort in @fabricsstorecom linen with one of the first #EAGrangerShirt iterations. Day 6: @vivianshaochen Laurence Top dress hack over a @fabricsstorecom Noa Shirt. Day 7: thrifted turtleneck underneath an @elbe_textiles Cornell Shirt dress hack. Day 8: @annaallenclothing double-front Helene Jeans made by the talented @seamripstress and a knit top test that never released.

Me Made May Days 3 & 4. That transition into Monday was a rough one, I needed the warm sunny weekend to last! Sunday was spent in my cropped @paradisepatterns #BlommaTank, Wiksten Unfolding Jacket, and heavily modifed @peppermintmagazine Spring Shorts. Threw on my @annaallenclothing #HeleneJeans and @alamain_studio #PleatTop for an easy but put-together look to start the workweek.

Me Made May Day 2 because hell, why not. Started the morning with a quilting class and then bopped around the house doing chores. Soaked up some sun in the backyard and soon I’ll be starting dinner. Nice little Saturday. Wearing my Worship Jeans shorts hack and a @summerhaus_ #SHNicoPullover.

First day of Me Made May and I’m still trying to decide how I feel about it 😆 this space has changed a *lot* since I started this account 6 years ago, but it was actually this yearly challenge that finally inspired me to start sewing again. I’ve been at it ever since! I’m making no promises, we’ll see how it goes. Curious how ya’ll are feeling about the holiday this year. In honor of the days of old, wearing some og makes. Hacked ES Georgia dress and linen Wiksten Unfolding Jacket. Swipe for the goodest boy.

I’ve worn this exact combo three weeks in a row, I dig everything about it! Each piece has something going on—color, texture, pattern—but they don’t overwhelm each other. The star for me is the #GenraShirt, made in the most delicious @brightsidefabricco sandwashed cotton. I took the time to bind the side seams for a super clean split hem, and subbed in the Donny Shirt burrito method for the back yoke. Much better finish imo. Paired with a @truebias #NikkoTop underneath in ribbed oatmeal knit and @makebytfs #TFSCassPant in @wearethefabricstore checkered wool. Shoes are Sorel. Do you have outfit you can’t quit lately? What is it that keeps you coming back?

Well hello, Honeygirl! I am way late to this @paradisepatterns party, but wow am I happy to be here. I made Sz. C in the cropped length with short sleeves and now I’ve got two perfect summer tees. The scoop neck one is made in a mystery pointelle rib I’ve had in my stash for years and the cherry crewneck fabric is from @califabrics . Tried my hand at a lettuce hem for the first time and it was easier than I thought! I’m still deciding if I want to add the scallop feature to the other one. Such a quick and satisfying sew 🤗

The hiking hoodie of me dreams! Not sure why I slept so long on the @roadtrippatternco #RTHorizonHoodie but so glad I finally gave it a whirl. Made a Sz. S in @califabrics Polartec Power Grid. I had some leftover foldover elastic and opted to use it for the sleeves and kangaroo pocket—I wish I’d had more for the bottom hem and hoodie opening as well because it was the perfect pairing! I also didn’t add the cinch cord elastic and toggle to the hood because I will realistically never use that feature (and didn’t have any on hand). It still sits nicely when worn and doesn’t slip off even without cinching. Lastly, I shortened the bottom hem by 1” and would make that change at the shorten/lengthen line next time. The fabric packs a punch when it comes to warmth and weight. So easy to throw on for a cool morning hike and pack away once it warms up. Can’t wait to make a swim sunshirt version next!

Happy #CloudCropTank release day, @roadtrippatternco ! I jumped at the opportunity to test this pattern—the compressive fit makes for a perfect summer hiking top without the need for additional support (at least for my tiny tatas). It also comes with three neckline views and is designed to be reversible! I made View B in Sz. XS B-Cup. Ellie was super receptive to tester feedback, which we love to see. Changes impacting my size were lowering the armscye and back lower curve by 1/4”. Fabric is leftover swim from @bluemoonfabrics . While not part of the construction instructions, I will likely run a zig zag stitch (if reversible) or understitch (if not reversible) along the bottom hem next time to keep the hem from rolling while wearing. Just a personal preference! I may also lower the neckline of View B to match the visual scoop of the larger sizes. All in all, a solid pattern. Congrats Ellie!

I made these shorts back in January for our Hawaii trip and am so happy it’s finally getting warm enough in Portland to wear them! Pattern is the TNT @peppermintmagazine #PeppermintSpringShorts in Sz. B with the waistband height reduced by half to remove the paperbag waist detail. I also added a back welt pocket with a KAM snap enclosure to securely stash my keys and cards while I’m out hiking. This is my fourth time making these shorts—I’ve always been drawn to the hem shape and ease of this pattern, and they’re such a quick sew! Fabric is the @ripstopbytheroll 5.2 oz. Airwave ripstop nylon in Coyote Tan. It’s water and wind resistant and provides the perfect stretch for outdoor adventures. Paired with a sneaky peaky tank top getting ready to release soon! I’ll share more details once it’s live. 🤗

The moment I saw @alexandria_arnold ’s version of the @alamain_studio #PleatTop, I knew I wanted one. Alexandria shared super helpful fitting and construction notes on @threadloop.app , so I felt confident cutting into the good fabric on the first go! I made a Sz. 8, shortening the length by 2” (the updated instructions include where to place the lengthen/shorten line) and lowering the front neckline by 3/8” at the center front. I also subbed in a continuous bound neckline because I was worried about unnecessary bulk with the French seams. It’s a bit trickier to navigate with the boat cut style, but I got it done. Fabric is a beautiful Japanese linen/cotton deadstock I snagged from @josephinesdrygoods when I first moved to Portland. It’s been preciously sitting in my stash ever since, and I’m so glad I waited for the perfect pattern pairing to come along.

New cool guy pants coming through! I had the pleasure of previewing one of @bfpatterns upcoming patterns, the #BFParker pants, and they’ve already become a wardrobe favorite. While there are so many elasticated pants on the scene already, the twisted barrel leg feels like a fun new riff. I made a Sz B per the recommended size chart with no mods and the waistband drawstring option. While I love the style the extra ease creates, the instructions recommend sizing down if you want them to hug a bit closer to the body. The instructions make these pants approachable for beginners, and I really love how the waistband gets attached to the pants body. Next time I’ll lower the back pockets slightly so they sit where I normally like, but that’s a small piddly. Fabric is a 9 oz cotton twill from @boltfabricpdx . Lighter weight fabrics can be used as well, but I like the structure the twill provides. Would love to hear if you’re planning to make these!

My finished @brightsidefabricco #FloraJacket! This jacket has been months in the making, but I wanted to be sure it got the attention and love it deserved. I tinkered with it on and off while working on other projects and slowed way down on its construction, altering some of the instructional methods for a cleaner finish. So excited for how it turned out! I sized up one from the suggested body measurements and made a Sz. S, cutting out the pieces first before quilting as the pattern suggests. Because the quilting shrinks the pieces, I will likely make a Sz. M next time or cut the pieces after quilting so it’s a bit roomier. I also swapped out serged seams for bias bound, which also added to a bit of bulk inside. It’s still wearable, but I suggest sizing up two if you go this route. Fabric is from @wearethefabricstore as part of their ambassador program I was previously apart of. Snaps are from @boltfabricpdx —they were a huge help picking out snap color when I just couldn’t decide! Fortunately (or unfortunately 🥶), there’s still plenty of cold weather ahead, so it’ll get lots of use before the season ends.