Make Nine 2020

01.21.20

While resolutions in the new year have never been my thing, setting goals and making plans are very much my style. As my sewing skills have improved and my handmade wardrobe overtakes the ready to wear items I own, I finally felt capable of taking part in the #makenine challenge. For those unfamiliar, this is a hashtag based movement in the sewing and knitting communities to set a plan for nine items you want to make. It is extremely flexible and can have whatever parameters you like – only garments or include accessories/household items, one craft only or a combination, with a deadline or open ended. My own plans for are for nine sewn garments using new-to-me patterns to be completed this year. I still knit all the time and typically have two projects going at once, but I didn’t include those in my nine.

I have no doubts in my ability to sew nine garments this year and I’m sure I would have done so regardless of the challenge, but selecting nine patterns to make has really helped me clarify my wardrobe plans. Rather than just making whatever pattern has my attention at the moment (which I’m sure will still happen to some degree), this particular approach should help fill in some crucial gaps in my current wardrobe. Being the overthinker that I am, I agonized over my selections as though this were a life or death decision, and I am sure some of my runners up are going to end up in my closet anyway, but I am really excited about my final selection. I already own all of these patterns and am planning to use materials mostly from my existing stash to be a bit more sustainable. Let’s take a closer look at the individual patterns!

Pietra Pants
Black Beauty Bra
Archer Button Up Shirt
Calvin Dress and Top
Kenzie Skirt
Rory Top
Saraste Top
Magnolia Dress
Lander Pants
01/09

Thus far in my sewing journey, I haven’t made many pants aside from pajamas and my beloved yellow sweatpants. However, my body has changed quite a bit over the past couple of years and I don’t have many pants that fit. I am determined to grow my pants sewing skills this year, and I am starting with the Pietra pants from Closet Case Patterns.

I’ve actually already gotten started on these, and have made muslins of all three views of the pattern. I am about to start on my first actual pair of pants in View B (pictured above) using a black fabric that I believe is a cupro linen and tencel blend. I am really excited to see how they turn out.

Black Beauty Bra/Emerald Erin

Speaking of those body changes, I am in truly desperate need of bras that fit well. I have sewn one bra before but it was a non-underwire bralette. I am very excited to become more proficient in sewing my own undergarments and the Black Beauty Bra is my first planned project. I actually have the kit with the fabric pictured here (!!! so in love !!!) but I will make a couple of practice versions before I cut into this lovely fabric.

Archer Button Up Shirt/Grainline Studio

I don’t currently have many button up shirts that fit well, but I enjoy having a few staple versions to layer in my outfits. I already have the fabric I plan to use for my first Archer, a lovely blush pink and golden yellow gingham linen from Merchant and Mills. I also hope to make a white one using View B.

Calvin Dress and Top/True Bias

I have been dying to make a Calvin dress and a top since this pattern was released, and I was lucky enough to snag a couple of kits including one with the deadstock fabric pictured above. I am a little nervous about fitting this with my curvy figure but I’ll definitely make some muslins and hopefully figure it out. I think this will be a lovely dress for spring date nights, so hopefully I can get it started soon!

Kenzie Skirt/Seamwork

I love skirts for work and the Kenzie skirt is a classic beauty. I have a feeling this is one that I’ll make again and again, but for that to be true, I need to make it a first time. I think my first version will probably be cream colored but I can see it looking lovely in so many fabrics and colors/prints.

Rory Top /Seamwork

I love basic tops with a small embellishment that adds a bit of visual interest, and I am excited to sew a Rory top. I have several fabrics in my stash already that I think would work, and I can see this looking cute for work or home just depending on how it is styled.

Saraste Top/Named Clothing

Back in my years as a J.Crew addict, this is the top I would have bought in multiple colors or prints if possible. As I said above, I love a good basic with some sort of embellishment. While my style has changed so much since ditching fast fashion, I still love the look of this top. I bought the Breaking the Pattern book from Named Clothing last spring but haven’t yet made anything from it. Can’t wait to add one or two of these to my wardrobe!

Magnolia Dress/Deer and Doe

When I first saw the Magnolia dress, I was majorly in love and printed it immediately. Now it’s been hanging out in my house waiting to be made and I have lost inspiration. However, I think the main obstacle has been pairing it with the right fabric to really get me excited about this pattern. I am thinking a bright color, perhaps with medium-small polka dots, or a bright tropical floral print as a gorgeous statement piece. Once I find the right fabric, this is happening!

Lander Pants/True Bias

Back again to my need for pants and shorts that fit well and are comfortable, I think this widely beloved pattern will fit well into my wardrobe. I am unsure yet what fabrics I would like to make these in so if you have made Landers you love, I would love to hear your thoughts.

View as a List
  • Pietra Pants

    Thus far in my sewing journey, I haven’t made many pants aside from pajamas and my beloved yellow sweatpants. However, my body has changed quite a bit over the past couple of years and I don’t have many pants that fit. I am determined to grow my pants sewing skills this year, and I am starting with the Pietra pants from Closet Case Patterns.

    I’ve actually already gotten started on these, and have made muslins of all three views of the pattern. I am about to start on my first actual pair of pants in View B (pictured above) using a black fabric that I believe is a cupro linen and tencel blend. I am really excited to see how they turn out.

  • Black Beauty Bra
    Black Beauty Bra/Emerald Erin

    Speaking of those body changes, I am in truly desperate need of bras that fit well. I have sewn one bra before but it was a non-underwire bralette. I am very excited to become more proficient in sewing my own undergarments and the Black Beauty Bra is my first planned project. I actually have the kit with the fabric pictured here (!!! so in love !!!) but I will make a couple of practice versions before I cut into this lovely fabric.

  • Archer Button Up Shirt
    Archer Button Up Shirt/Grainline Studio

    I don’t currently have many button up shirts that fit well, but I enjoy having a few staple versions to layer in my outfits. I already have the fabric I plan to use for my first Archer, a lovely blush pink and golden yellow gingham linen from Merchant and Mills. I also hope to make a white one using View B.

  • Calvin Dress and Top
    Calvin Dress and Top/True Bias

    I have been dying to make a Calvin dress and a top since this pattern was released, and I was lucky enough to snag a couple of kits including one with the deadstock fabric pictured above. I am a little nervous about fitting this with my curvy figure but I’ll definitely make some muslins and hopefully figure it out. I think this will be a lovely dress for spring date nights, so hopefully I can get it started soon!

  • Kenzie Skirt
    Kenzie Skirt/Seamwork

    I love skirts for work and the Kenzie skirt is a classic beauty. I have a feeling this is one that I’ll make again and again, but for that to be true, I need to make it a first time. I think my first version will probably be cream colored but I can see it looking lovely in so many fabrics and colors/prints.

  • Rory Top
    Rory Top /Seamwork

    I love basic tops with a small embellishment that adds a bit of visual interest, and I am excited to sew a Rory top. I have several fabrics in my stash already that I think would work, and I can see this looking cute for work or home just depending on how it is styled.

  • Saraste Top
    Saraste Top/Named Clothing

    Back in my years as a J.Crew addict, this is the top I would have bought in multiple colors or prints if possible. As I said above, I love a good basic with some sort of embellishment. While my style has changed so much since ditching fast fashion, I still love the look of this top. I bought the Breaking the Pattern book from Named Clothing last spring but haven’t yet made anything from it. Can’t wait to add one or two of these to my wardrobe!

  • Magnolia Dress
    Magnolia Dress/Deer and Doe

    When I first saw the Magnolia dress, I was majorly in love and printed it immediately. Now it’s been hanging out in my house waiting to be made and I have lost inspiration. However, I think the main obstacle has been pairing it with the right fabric to really get me excited about this pattern. I am thinking a bright color, perhaps with medium-small polka dots, or a bright tropical floral print as a gorgeous statement piece. Once I find the right fabric, this is happening!

  • Lander Pants
    Lander Pants/True Bias

    Back again to my need for pants and shorts that fit well and are comfortable, I think this widely beloved pattern will fit well into my wardrobe. I am unsure yet what fabrics I would like to make these in so if you have made Landers you love, I would love to hear your thoughts.

View as a Slideshow

If you are hoping to follow along with my progress on this goal, make sure to follow me on Instagram! I’ve been trying to share more behind the scenes of my sewing practice. You’ll get lots of sneak peeks as these garments as they take shape.

Let's Talk Slow Fashion!

Are you planning to participate in #makenine this year? Do you have other sewing or making goals in mind that you hope to accomplish? I would love to hear about your plans in the comment section!