My version of Make Nine for 2019

I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to sew during 2019.

On Instagram, everyone has been showing their plans for Make Nine and it’s fabulous to see the amount of thought and planning happening.

While there are a few patterns I want to make this year I know that there are some very specific areas I want to work on. Using those areas is how I’m structuring my goals for the year. In no particular order, here they are

1. Be more sociable – already this year I have caught up with some sewing friends from near and far and it is always so inspiring. With some fabulous exhibitions happening this year I want to try and get out and about more, recharge the batteries and be inspired.
2. Make a Vintage dress from a vintage book – this one has been on my mind for awhile. I inherited a wonderful collection of Lutterloh patterns from my neighbour Joan. Thankfully the collection survived the house fire and now I want to use it to make a vintage dress. Possibly more than one but I’ve never used the system before so let’s start with one and see how I get on?
3. Release Patterns – the last few years have been an ongoing disaster where I feel like I lurch from one crisis to another. There have been lots of things done in the background that I haven’t shown publicly. One of those things is a large number of patterns that are fully graded and really close to being released. This is the year I’m going to get them out into the world. Look out for swimwear, lingerie, dresses, sportswear and so much more coming your way.
4. Operation Replenish Wardrobe – I’ve got some key items missing from my wardrobe. Namely a proper winter coat and some jeans so it’s time to get some made.
5. Make a Quilt – in trying to be more sustainable I’ve been saving my scraps. Bigger ones get made into bags and things but there are some smaller ones that I want to recycle into a quilt. My grandmother makes quilts for the entire large family. None of the fabric is bought it’s all leftovers from garment sewing. Using that as inspiration I want to see what I can come up with?
6. Sew the Stash – my stash was huge then the house fire destroyed quite a lot of it. Now, what is left deserves to be used so my goal is to use as much of it as possible in ways that are not wasteful.
7. More Embroidery – we are not huge tv watchers, we like cycling and documentaries but the tv isn’t on all that much. I, however, read a lot and endlessly scroll Instagram and Pinterest. None of these things are bad but I read or heard something last year that has stayed with me. “What if instead of scrolling you did something with your hands? what could you achieve by the end of the year?” So I’m going to find out. I’ve even got an embroidery specific instagram to help keep me accountable @_measuretwicestitches
8. Learn Something New or use skills I don’t often use – so far I have zero idea what this one entails but I love learning and want to do more of it.
9. Operation Lingerie Drawer – I spent most of 2018 living out of a suitcase and moving multiple times. My bras and knickers are now a mess of stretched out, bent wires and just worn out. It’s embarrassing and is affecting the way some of my outer garments fit. So my goal is by years end to have a beautiful drawer filled with lovely pieces.

So that’s my goals, I’m keen to get started and see how the year unfolds. How about you? are you making specific pattern goals or just going with areas like I have?