My 2018 Make Nine was a bit of a flop, {I think I made 1/9} so this year I’ve tried to choose nine things that I would like to make, rather than should make, if you see what I mean. Although the it’s past mid-February, over the last few weeks I’ve spent a lot of time sewing, reading about sewing and making sewing plans, so whilst it’s late I still want to share my aims. 

1. Megan Nielsen Jarrah Sweatshirt

I bought this and the River Dress when there was a small discount, possibly on Black Friday? I’m currently waiting for a quote from a copy shop to see whether it’s worth forking out for A0 printing or whether to go with my usual home printer and sellotape PDF approach. I’m also on the hunt for the perfect fabric for the tie-front view. I’m thinking a solid but in a colour I’ll want to wear in the spring – there seem to still be a lot of deep winter shades on sale. I’m open to suggestions if you’ve spotted anything suitable?

2. Closet Case Patterns Kalle Shirt Dress

I put 4 sewing patterns on my Christmas list when they were discounted by M is for Make also on Black Friday, including this. I’ve seen some beautiful versions of this made up and although I really didn’t need another shirt dress pattern think this could look great sewn up in a nice quality cotton. I love the versions {especially the plaid one} sewed up by MaddieMadeThis on Instagram. 

3. True Bias Ogden Cami

This seemed to be EVERYWHERE last summer, with PinsandPinot sewing up some beautiful versions. I don’t yet have a TNT vest top pattern and if I can make this out of 1m of fabric I’m certain it’ll be a keeper! I am wary of those straps, mind, but I think it’s a lovely flattering summer top. 

4. Tilly and the Buttons Ness Skirt

I haven’t sewn many skirts at all, and those I have have mainly been super simple pencil type styles with cared waist. I’d love to add to my repertoire as I actually wear a lot of skirts for work but never seem to have the *perfect* style {basically something a-line and navy or maybe even black}. After quite a lot of searching I managed to track down some of the Dashwood purple pomegranate needlecord that I think would make a stunning Ness, but as I feel this is quite a technical make for me, I definitely need to sew up a less expensive version first. I hope to make a start on this before too long. 

5. Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater


The Toaster is another make that pops up continuously in my feed, and always looks great, and I’ve stumbled across this Simplicity pattern which is either the same or several variations of the pattern. It’s currently available at half price so in my shopping basket waiting to be purchased. This looks warm and snuggly and again I’m on the look out for just the right fabric. 

6. Tilly and the Buttons Nora top

Now, this may class as cheating for two reasons. I’ve actually already sewn up one Nora, before Christmas, although it hasn’t yet made it to the blog or even my IG. Secondly, today I cut out my second version, the long line, elbow length sleeve version which will have a round neck. I admit to being tempted by the prospect of achieving one of my 9 in the very near future. I’m sewing it up with some very pretty fairy print mustard jersey which was very kindly and unexpectedly posted to me from Lorrelle at Loubodu Fabrics after I wished her happy birthday and told her it was mine on the very same day! How incredibly generous is that?! 

7. Tilly and the Buttons Marigold Trousers/Jumpsuit

Ok, so I almost put the Stella joggers on here as although I made a muslin in the Christmas holidays they frayed at the seams almost immediately, but the fit was fine and the process was fun! Once more I’m waiting to find the perfect fabric and I plan to sew a pair as pyjamas ~ totally spurred on by Joy’s sushijamas which are just wonderful! Anyway, other than that I have still yet to make trousers but the Marigolds look like a great beginner’s option, plus I think I have some fabric which will work and could become some floaty summery trousers

8. Nina Lee Camden Pinafore

I bought this when it was just released after seeing a couple of gorgeous versions sewn up by pattern testers, including robinsnest1926. This is the kind of pattern that I turn my nose up at initially, only because it takes a lot longer than say, a Freya ~ I’ve actually sewn up a STACK of those beauties, to be blogged soon ~ but it’s totally worthwhile because of the quality garment you end up with. I have some plain denim in my stash that I could easily use for this project, again it’s still in PDF form at present. 

9. New Look 6483 {View A}

This is also cut out on my dining table in some cute blueberry print Michael Miller cotton I pulled from deep in my stash. I’ve been spending a lot of time with my overlocker recently and it feels great to have grown in confidence with it but as the weather improves I know I’ll be sewing up more cotton in the near future. I read that the pattern art is misleading on this on this so I’m looking forward to finding out if this could become a wardrobe staple, because again it doesn’t call for much fabric. 

I’m making a conscious effort to reduce the RTW garments I’m buying these days, so I’m hoping to share updates and my progress towards my #2019makenine both here and, more regularly over on my instagram @ccmercer