I chose my "2018 Make Nine" with a few garments I wanted to add to my closet and a lot of skills I wanted to add to my sewing repertoire. My goals for the year including learning how to sew a collar stand, fit a jacket, and "master" knits. I'm still working on that last part...


I made most of my 2018 Make Nine, but didn't end up finishing all of my original selections. Some of my makes were actually toiles that I would like to make again next year now that I know how to fit them better. I will also be more intentional about selecting better fabrics. I plan to make another Sewaholic Granville button-up shirt in a gray gingham from Rifle Paper Co. and a few more varieties of the Blackwood Cardigan by Helen's Closet. In 2019 I hope to finish my current Make Nine goals and make a wrap sweater, blazer, and underwear as well since these are items I definitely want to add to my wardrobe.



My 2019 Make Nine goals, pictured above, will fit into my wardrobe really well and transition from work to evening and weekend events. I've picked Simplicity 1801 designed by Cynthia Rowley, Named Clothing's Sointu Kimono Tee, Patterns for Pirates' Wiggle Dress, Colette Patterns' Moneta Dress, Closet Case Patterns' Sasha Trousers, Grainline Studio's Morris Blazer, True Bias Patterns' Ogden Cami, Closet Case Patterns' Charlie Caftan, and Sew Over It's Pussy Bow Blouse. New skills I would like to learn include bias binding and the Hong Kong finish. I think I'll need a purchase a bias tape maker with some of my Christmas cash! I may also try to join a few Sew My Style monthly challenges, depending on the pattern selected.

However, I want to be sure to leave enough time to make a few garments I haven't thought of yet, so I don't want to over commit! What are your sewing plans for this upcoming year? Do you plan to review fabric or test patterns?

It's hard to believe that it has been a year since I started sewing more regularly and documenting my journey here on the blog. Over the course of this year I've learned a lot about the kinds of garments I like to wear; style, color, fabric type and weight. I hit my stride about mid-year and started making garments I have truly incorporated into my wardrobe. My favorite makes of the year, pictured above, were all made in May or later and none of them were part of my original plan.



In total I've made 20 garments this year, almost doubling the number of garments I've ever made. Of these garments I wear approximately 11 of them, including two formal dresses. The five pieces I've worn most are a vintage Simplicity wrap dress S7705, a McCalls trumpet sleeve blouse M7542, a Hey June Handmade Halifax Hoodie, a Grainline Studio Lark Tee, and a Chalk and Notch Fringe Dress pictured above.

Most of the garments I don't wear were really only intended to be "wearable toiles." I'm glad I took the time to make these mock-ups before cutting into more expensive fashion fabric. However, the problem I found with making toiles was that I rarely actually made a second garment with the changes I planned to make the next garment fit me better.

I plan to be much more intentional with my 2019 makes. I'll use neutral, earth tones as well as floral prints and tailored styles. And I'm going to do a better job of making the final garment post-toile. I'll share more about my inspiration and 2019 sewing plans soon!