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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?

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Sydney Spoolettes Fabric Swap Meet at Bobbin and Ink

One of the things I want to do this year is get to more meet ups and gatherings to talk face to face with more sewers. It’s not only super fun but I always feel like I learn something new or find out something to explore whenever I talk with other sewers.

With the Sydney Spoolettes having their first fabric swap of the year it was a great day to try and catch up with people and perhaps replenish my stash a little.

In January when we were cleaning up from the fire I took the opportunity to take some fabrics that had been stored in our storage unit (and therefore didn’t go through the fire) and put them aside for the swap meet. Happy to be finding new homes for 2 large tubs of fabrics I didn’t actually intend to come away with anything new.

Naturally that lasted all of about 5 minutes. I snapped up a pretty printed knit, some lilac stretch lace (perfect for lingerie) and a metallic stripe that reminded me of what my mum wore in the 80’s.

Satisfied with my pieces I was going away from the table when a lovely couple unpacked bags of silk and kimono fabrics to be added to the swap.

I had a chat to the lady (am sorry I missed your name!) and she explained that some of the pieces I had chosen from what she had brought were kimono panels, silk from a dress she had made and silk from her daughters wedding dress. Super lovely pieces that I have big plans for. Thank you so much for being so generous with your unwanted stash!

Thanks also to Natasha for giving me a lift to and from the event that was fantastic and so much easier than public transport on a Sunday from where we have been staying.

Was a good start to my year of trying to be more social and lovely new fabrics too! win win

If you are in Sydney and want to join the Sydney Spoolettes you can find us on Instagram or Facebook.