Although I didn’t manage to make much on my Make Nine list for 2018, I found it a really helpful planning prompt and did really well with it the year before, so I’m going with it again this year. Which is already three months gone. Ah well. That’s one garment a month for the rest of the year. I reckon I can do that!
Pinafore Dress:
I adore my Cleo dungaree dresses so I’m hoping that the Bibi Dress pattern from Tilly’s Stretch Book might be a similar success. I love the fact it’s made with knit fabric, although the heavier weight knits required would make this more of an autumn/winter dress, to my mind. I’m not in a rush to make it, in other words.
Summer Dress:
I’ve had the Colette Lily dress on my sewing list for a few years now, and I still love the shape. It’s very like the phenomenally successful Closet Case Fiona dress, albeit without the button front and with a few more vintagey details. I have the pattern printed and some gorgeous navy hemp and tencel fabric to sew it in, so I’m really hoping I can get this made this summer.
Shirt Dress:
Again, I’ve wanted to make a shirt dress for a few years now but haven’t been able to track down a pattern that is exactly what I’m after. Vogue 8903 comes close, though, and although it’s not quite as fitted with the vintage details I was after, I think it looks like something I’d love to wear in the heat. Possibly not with the belt, though.
Casual Jacket:
This one is already in the process of being sewn! Burda Style 6847 is a casual jacket in a sweatshirt fabric, and I love the simple style and princess seams. I’m going for view B in dark green, with a contrast black and white striped collar. I’m hoping this will be slightly more “me” than a regular hoodie style jacket, which I think look too sloppy on me.
Raincoat:
This is held over from last year, and I think I’ve finally found the perfect pattern. McCalls 6517 is out of print but I’m sure I can find a copy on eBay. It’s got that tailored look I was after, but still fun and practical (I hope). I’d go for view A, because I need a hood!
Jeans (ish):
I have the fabric washed and the pattern traced, ready to cut. I’ve been wanting to make jeans for years, and I reckon the Eleanore Pull On Jeans will be a good starting point. It’s jeans making with a more forgiving waist. I don’t want to go to all the effort of making proper jeans when I’m still hoping to lose another couple of inches off my waist and hips this summer!
Shirt:
I made Andy a button up shirt last year, and while I’d like a classic one myself at some point, for now I’m thinking a slinky knit might be more suitable for my casual lifestyle. McCalls 7018 looks perfect, and I love the neckline here.
Notch Neck Top:
Not sure if I’ll go with Made by Rae’s Bianca Top or find (or draft!) something else, but I really want a simple woven summer top with a notch neckline. Maybe in a lightweight linen or viscose challis.
Swimming Costume:
I loved the swimming costumes they made on the latest series of the Great British Sewing Bee, and when I found out they used Butterick B6358 I figured I should have a go myself! Making swimwear is so much fun, and I could do with a cute one piece for the summer. I might make the bikini version too, who knows?
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So that’s this year’s list. I’m really excited about all of these right now, and pleased that I’ve already got the patterns and fabrics for a few of them. It’s not an overly ambitious list in terms of techniques and fabrics (with the exception of the raincoat, perhaps) so it might not stretch my skills much, but I reckon they’re all things I need and would love to wear.
Anyone else made a Make Nine list? And if so, have you made anything off it yet?!