#2017makenine review

I hopped on board the #2017makenine train back in January, at the time these were things that I really wanted to make.  I thought it would be good to check in and see what got made, what got worn and what didn't even make it to the cutting table.

Closet Case Patterns Sophie swimsuit: This one didn't even make it to the cutting table.  It's still something I'd like to make, so you may see it in 2018.

Baste and Gather Birkin Flares: These are a work in progress (WIP).  In my mind I'll have them finished to wear on New Year's Eve, but that's tomorrow and I'm just not sure I'll get there.  I'm determined that these will happen soon.

Grainline Studio Cascade duffle:  Another one that didn't even make it to the cutting table but I love this coat and so I've added it to my #2018makenine.

Tessuti Patterns Ruby top/dress:  Made, but not blogged.  I have posted it on insta if you want to take a look.  It's a winner and will be coming to the blog soon. 

StyleArc Blaire top/dress:  Also made but not blogged.  My fabric choice wasn't quite right, it's a little too short and my collar looks sloppy - very 'home made' but in a bad way.  I'll blog it soon but think I'll just harvest the buttons and try again in a different fabric.

Silk fabric: Also a WIP, this is on its way to be a Ruby top.  I told you the pattern was a winner!

Orange Lingerie Montgomery briefs: I've made a selection of these and really like the pattern.  Fabric choice has a big impact on which pairs I reach for.  The microfibre and lace ones get worn the most, the other two I just don't reach for unless everything else is in the wash.

Evie la Luve Bella panties:  Totally addicted to making these!  I love them and they've become my undies of choice!  This pattern is a total winner for me.

Evie la Luve Esme panties: These are one of my recent makes (scroll down) and I'd like to make them again.  Next time I'll go down a size and use fold over elastic to finish the legs.

Not too bad - 5 made, 2 WIPs and 2 not started.  I'll post my #2018makenine next week, but if you want an early look you can check it out here.   How did you go with your plans/goals for 2017?

August Sewing Plans

I've had a couple of outfits in my head for a while now that I just can't shake so I'm putting them all into my August plans in the hope that I'll sew them up and get them into my wardrobe.  While we still have months of cold weather to go, I think most of these items should also be able to transition through to spring and even summer.

The first combo is the Birkin flares in a dark denim, Ogden Cami in a pale blue silk crepe de chine and an Esme Cardigan in an ivory merino.

Images via here here here and here

I'm also planning a Birkin flares, wrap blouse combo.  No pattern for the blouse but I'm thinking I'll use the beautiful floral fabric from Blackbird Fabrics (ditched my Archer plans - thought it would be too overwhelming on me).  I like McCalls 7627 for the wrap but it's not available in Australia and the pattern can't be purchased through Vogue/McCalls online either, so I'd have to go hunting on Etsy.  If I can't find anything else in my stash that I can use I might just have to go shopping!

images via here here here and here

The other combo happening includes the Esme cardigan again and McCalls 6886 in black ponte.  

Images via here here and here

There's two more items on my list, the Style Arc Rosemary blouse in red silk crepe de chine and the Vogue 1170 skirt that I included in my April sewing plans.  I put it aside because it needs some fitting adjustments and I wasn't sure how to approach it, but now I'm just going to keep trying things until I find something that works!

Images via here and here

So all up that's:

• 1 pair of jeans
• 1 cardigan
• 1 cami
• 2 tops
• 1 knit dress
• 1 skirt

I really doubt that I'll get it all done but it's nice to have goals!

April Sewing Plans

I've got a few days off over Easter and wanted to make the most of the extra time in my sewing room.

I have a massive wish list of things that I want to make but figured if I could focus on just a handful of items I'd be more likely to get them done!

 

So here's five things that I'm hoping to sew up over the rest of April:

First up is a new skirt for work.  It's Vogue 1170, a Rachel Comey pattern from a few years back.  It's no longer listed on Vogue's website but you can pick it up on Etsy or Ebay easily enough.  I'm planning on making it up in a beautiful Italian wool that I bought at Tessuti several years ago.  

The Birkin Flares are one of my #2017makenine picks and something that I've been wanting to make for a couple of years.  These will be a great addition to my weekend wardrobe and will likely make an appearance for casual Friday at work too.

I fell hard for this beautiful viscose poplin from Blackbird Fabrics and all I could think of was making the Grainline Archer shirt.  Also, I need tops for work so this seems like a winner.

Next up I'm planning to make Vogue 1460 in a gorgeous denim coloured merino jersey from The Fabric Store.  A warm, cosy winter work dress.

My last planned make is Megan Nielsen's Rowan body suit - colour and style as per the picture below.  I layer all my clothes in winter so I think this will be a winner.

Picture via

If I'm crazy productive my two bonus projects will be a Tessuti Sydney jacket in a gorgeous charcoal marle boiled wool and a pair of navy stretch cotton Ginger (jeans) pants.  I'm pretty excited by all these projects so I hope I can them all sewn up.

#2017makenine

I'm not on Instagram but love the idea of nominating nine items that you want to make in 2017 so I'm playing along here.

All photos used in the collage above are via the individual pattern companies.

I've loved the Sophie Swimsuit pattern since it was released and wanted to have a pair made up for our recent trip to Byron Bay - I ran out of time but hope to get these made up soon.

I don't know if flares will be popular again this winter but I still love them and plan to make the Birkin Flares from Baste and Gather.  In winter I live in denim so being able to play with a different silhouette will be great.

The Cascade Duffle Coat has been on my to sew list since it was released.  I have all my supplies but I bought the PDF pattern and I just can't bring myself to stick that many pages together!  I've just bought the paper pattern so hopefully this gets made before winter rolls around again.

The Ruby top/dress is another pattern that has been on my radar for ages.  I really want to make both the top and dress variations - I think they'll be really versatile additions to my wardrobe.

The Blaire shirt from Style Arc is a departure from I normally wear but it has been calling my name since it was released.  I'm going to make this in white linen but I love the version my sister just made in a gorgeous rayon.

Number 6 isn't a pattern, it's a gorgeous pieces of fabric.  I couldn't resist the beautiful city lights silk crepe de chine from Tessuti Fabrics but I've been too scared to cut into it in case I stuff it up.  Time to get over it - there's always more beautiful fabric!

Everybody wants beautiful undies and I want to add the Montgomery briefs from Orange Lingerie and the Bella and Esme undies from Evie la Luve to my collection.

I feel like this is a really achievable selection.  There's a nice mix of quick makes and more detailed projects and I know I'll feel pretty awesome if I manage to get all these made up.

So do you Instagram?  I'm tempted to sign up but all the comments about the new algorithms have made me wary.  Are you on Instagram and do you like it?