2019 Make Nine: Results!
The only resolution I made for 2019 (crafting or otherwise) was the Make Nine Challenge: at the beginning of the year, you select 9 things you plan to make in the next 365 days.
Here’s my list and how I fared. Lots of unanticipated patterns!
Results
1: A jacket
Plan: The Hampton jean jacket by Alina Design Co (or a vest version) or the Charlie Bomber by Jalie.
Actual: Didn’t finish this one! With my new interest in quilting, I decided to try a quilted jacket and actually made a muslin of the Ayora Jacket by Pauline Alice using some pre-quilted fabric. I like the pattern (lots of hand sewing ❤️) but the jacket was too restrictive in the back and shoulders. That's a fitting challenge of mine I need to work out. I hope to make this again with some fit adjustments and also lengthen it a few inches.
2: Self-printed fabric
Plan: I’m going to use one of my self-carved stamps or create a new one, print fabric, and sew it into something TBD.
Actual: Didn’t try this one but I plan to revisit it next year. I’m still trying to perfect the fit of a basic woven top. No use making special fabric until I have a TNT pattern to use!
3: A coat
Plan: The Deer and Doe Opium coat or the Sew Over It Chloe coat.
Actual: This is another make I didn’t start, but I do have the supplies to make a coat in the future. On a recent trip to Portland, I stopped by the Pendleton Woolen Mills store (heaven!!) and got some beautiful material for a Seamwork Camden cape.
4: Athletic leggings
Plan: The Clara leggings by Jalie.
Actual: I finished the Clara leggings on December 29th! :D This year took me through 4 legging patterns before I found one that was pretty good.
5: Pants
Plan: Maybe I’ll finally finish my Lander pants (by True Bias) muslin or try the Chiara pants by Jalie.
Actual: I attempted the Lander pants again… more muslins! There is a lot of fabric in the front of the pants. And I have a swayback and pelvis which tilts backward, creating even more extra fabric in the front. I just couldn’t get it to work for me so I’m abandoning this pattern.
6: Jeans
Plan: Mid-rise Ginger Jeans by Closet Case Patterns.
Actual: Woohoo, the first goal I actually finished! I ended up making the Ash Jeans by Megan Nielsen, kickstarted by a jeans making workshop at Hello Stitch Studio in Berkeley. I’ve made 4 pairs in total this year, tweaking the fit of each one with varying levels of success. My best pair was #3 in black Cone Mills denim. I love them and literally wear them daily.
7: Self-drafted underwear
Plan: I’m finally going to make a project from the absolutely stellar Bluprint class Sewing Panties.
Actual: Another goal I did complete! The Sewing Panties: Construction & Fit class is absolutely fantastic and I made many undies over the past year. I learned a lot about elastic, trying ⅜ inch, picot, and fold-over. These are so much more comfortable than any I’ve store bought and I’m totally embracing comfort/VPL over style.
Plan: I’m finally going to make a project from the absolutely stellar Bluprint class Sewing Panties.
Actual: Another goal I did complete! The Sewing Panties: Construction & Fit class is absolutely fantastic and I made many undies over the past year. I learned a lot about elastic, trying ⅜ inch, picot, and fold-over. These are so much more comfortable than any I’ve store bought.
8: Bra or bralette
Plan: Simplicity 8228 or the Fenway Bra by Orange Lingerie.
Actual: Finished in the last week of December! I ended up making the Harriet Bra by Cloth Habit. It’s wearable and I look forward to making more with some adjustments.
9: Swimsuit
Plan: Definitely want to try the Sophie Swimsuit by Closet Case Patterns.
Actual: I completed this one as well! The Sophie Swimsuit was such a fun challenge — unlike anything I’d sewn up to that point but totally doable when taken step-by-step. I wore this on a birthday trip to Maui and had a great time snorkeling and seeing sea turtles, schools of fish, and even an octopus or two. I may re-make the bottoms in the future and loosen the leg elastic, but overall I love this suit and am super proud of it!
Overall Thoughts
In 2019, my clothes sewing started strong and then took a backseat a few months in. I do plan to return to this in 2020, but I want to take a different approach, more focused on the journey than finished projects: muslins and self-drafted slopers. I’m fully embracing slow sewing and fit adjustments.
In general, I don’t like being tied down to goals or resolutions — I much prefer being flexible and seeing where life takes me. 2019 took me down a few unexpected and fantastic paths. I started quilting, finished a huge quilt and several QAYG projects, and have several quilts in progress. I bought a floor loom and an inkle loom and explored weaving my own fabric and straps. And I revisited embroidery and have contributed to two collective art projects: Rita’s Quilt and the Social Justice Sewing Academy. Who knows what next year will bring?!
Stay tuned for my 2020 plans!