2018 Sewing Plans #Makenine | Sewing Tips, Tutorials, Projects and Events

At the start of a new year, sewing projects are my favourite things to reflect on and plan. You may have seen my recent vlog where I shared everything I made last year. Here I'm reviewing and planning my #makenine AKA a fun little hashtag you can get involved in via Instagram or just for fun. The idea is to choose nine garments you would like to make over the course of the year and see how it goes. No pressure just a bit of fun. Read on to find out how I did in 2017 and what my thoughts are for the coming year.

#makenine2017

What I made

Ok let's just get straight in there and talk numbers. I made four out of the nine projects I chose:

The Simplicity cami top in our beautiful Mystique satin backed crepe
A Simplicity pencil skirt in our cotton sateen Ohio fabric (sadly the pattern has now been discontinued)

Three 'day' skirts including the Hollyburn by Sewaholic and two Simplicity 1370s in denim and scuba

A simple Tshirt dress using Burda 6540 and a fresh geometric jersey fabric (sorry the fabric is sold out now folks)

What I didn't make and why

New Look 6372 and McCalls 7121. I chose both of these patterns based on fabrics. Both fabrics sold out. I was gutted, but I got over it and made something else instead.
The two shirt dresses. I think this boiled down to my high round back fitting issues, which I finally conquered towards the end of the year. See the tutorial I wrote here. I knew I needed to make the adjustment, wasn't confident about making it and avoided these garments as a result. However, I did get there in the end so I will be adding a shirt dress to the 2018 list.
The fitted trousers. This was another fear of fit issue. After the immense satisfaction I gained from overcoming the high round back adjustment, trousers are firmly on the 2018 list. In fact I've already made a toile and cut them out. Start as you mean to go on and all that!

As I mentioned this really is a bit of fun to help kick start the old sewjo in January. No need to get hung up on the numbers.

More importantly I think it is about so much more than the numbers. Looking back on last year's list I can see how adventurous/confident I was feeling. I can see the biggest challenge I was hoping to take on. I can see how good I was at working out what I would actually wear. A nice way to see how far you have come in a year.

Taking all of those things into account here is my #makenine2018

#makenine2018

Firstly, a few thoughts. I find it really hard to think about spring/summer projects in dark dank January. Therefore I've chosen projects that could be worn all year round depending on the fabric chosen.

I've decided not to choose my projects based on fabrics. Instead I'm thinking about what I need in my wardrobe and getting a good balance between challenging and easy projects.

My more challenging plans

Trousers

It is time to face the demons. I'm not going to lie, sewing trousers seems scary, but what is the worst that could happen?! I've chosen the Jalie Eleonore pull on jeans and am making them in our lovely soft and stretchy denim.

This pattern should be a great way to dip my toe in the trouser sewing waters. It won best pants pattern of 2016 on Pattern Review - what a great endorsement. There is also a fantastic step by step video of how to make the jeans on the Jalie website (as is the case for many of their patterns - you can view our full range of Jalie patterns here). The video is incredibly succinct and easy to follow - they literally sew the jeans from start to finish before your very eyes!

There is a fake fly and pockets i.e. a nice bit of detail without anything too stressful. This should allow me to really focus on the fit and I hope to get to the point where I've adapted the pattern pieces to make an excellent fitting pair over and over again. Granted this may take several attempts, I am a realist!

A shirt dress

I still stand by the reason I chose a shirt dress last year. I have one in my wardrobe and I absolutely love wearing it, but seriously guys, one just isn't enough is it?!

Now I've mastered the high round back issue I just need to get on with it. I still think McCalls 7084is a lovely looking shirt dress. View B seems like a good option - it doesn't have a collar so is a nice way to ease myself into shirt making. I love the panels and princess seams too and I would love to make it in our gorgeous Sevenberry fabric. It is a Japanese style fabric with a cotton/linen feel and the indigo colour is so wearable. Having said that we do have a number of gorgeous cotton lawns about to appear on the website so I may change my mind nearer the time.

Jacket

There is a serious shortage of jackets in my wardrobe. Every time I go out I find myself reaching for my trusty leather jacket, which I do love, but it is time to mix it up a bit! Plus Angela has made some fantastic jackets over the years and is really knowledgeable about tailoring techniques so it will be a great learning opportunity. See one of Angela's jackets here.

I'm thinking something smart casual and boxy and have always liked the look of Burda 6465. I'm thinking our slate grey coating fabric with a silver fleck would make the perfect match. Angela can also show me how to make my own custom trim - ooooh how exciting!

Quick and easy projects

Blouses x 2

I tend to wear mostly separates and do love a good blouse! I've heard the Sew Over It pussy bow blouse is a nice simple make and also really like the Pendrell blouse by Sewaholic patterns. I think the pussy bow blouse would look rather sweet made up in this brand new John Kaldor fabric. The Pendrell would be lovely made up in something like this crepe de chine.

A casual evening dress

These days any evenings out I have are usually in a restaurant or at a friend's house. This calls for that well known wardrobe conundrum 'something dressy without being too dressy'.

The thing is I have a ready to wear dress that fits the bill perfectly. A much loved Zara purchase from about five years ago, which I wore as recently as last weekend. It is a super simple shift dress with capped sleeves. I can chuck it on over thick black tights and throw on some high heeled ankle boots and I feel great. I never feel over nor under dressed. It would also be super easy to sew, so seriously, what have I been waiting for?!

I even have a tried and true pattern I could use in New Look 6095, you can see my previous version here. This version was pre high-round back adjustments so I would just need to apply that now standard fitting adjustment to eradicate the nasty armpit creases. Easy peasy.

The fabric I would make it in based on our current selection is this beautiful John Kaldor Ursula fabric. Drea-my!

Another Hollyburn

I absolutely adored the Hollyburn skirt I made last year, you can see it here. It was super easy to make and perfect for everyday wear. We have a fantastic selection of cotton lawns and it would simply be rude not to make another one! I reckon this pretty tropical fabric could be just the ticket.

A dressy top

Occasionally I do venture out beyond a restaurant or a friend's house. You know, somewhere wild and adventurous like a bar. On such occasions I have a nice selection of skirts and dresses, but a limited selection of tops.

I really like the look of Burda 6968. The high neck and cut away armholes are always a flattering look on my boyish upper body. This super silky, drapey crepe de chine would make a beautiful version of this elegant top.

A casual day dress

I loved wearing the jersey maxi dress I made (see it here) for the last two summers. Thanks to the fabric it felt super casual despite being a maxi. This year I'd like to make one with a Tshirt bodice suitable for days when it isn't so warm.

I really like the look of Butterick 6206and think it would fit the bill perfectly. I hardly ever make dresses in a plain fabric, but I think this would work wonderfully in our John Kaldor cadiz cotton jersey fabric available in a range of colours. I've worked with this gorgeous fabric before and the quality is second to none. My colour of choice would probably be the navy.

Well I don't know about you, but after oggling all these gorgeous patterns and fabrics I'm desperate to get cracking!

Have fun sewing!

Lucy

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