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?

I made View A with a low rise waist, ankle length in a size small and still hemmed the length a bit extra. This pattern was quick and easy to assemble and the leggings were a breeze to whip up. However, when I make them again next time I will size up. This pair turned out a bit too tight throughout my thighs and waist and I ended up not even needing the elastic in the waistband. I have always envied my girlfriends' vibrant printed leggings and finally have a super soft pair for myself. And they're so comfy to travel in. I can't wait to make another pair!



Time estimate: 2-4 hours
Size: small
Material used: knit print, 97% rayon and 3% spandex
Care instructions: machine wash cold, gentle cycle, line dry, cool iron as needed

Cost to make leggings:
pattern - $12.00
fabric - $15.75
*thread from my stash
TOTAL: $27.75 plus tax

I am so excited to share my Blackwood cardigan from Helen's Closet with you. It was my first home run of the sewing season and will be perfect for the spring weather headed our way. I can't wait to make another version or two!

I purchased white, double sided brushed dty jersey from Mood to make this cardigan and love how soft it is. This was the first indie pattern I've purchased and the also the first .pdf pattern I've assembled. One of the benefits of using a .pdf pattern was the ability to turn off other sizes and print only my desired size. I can't seem to make myself cut down tissue paper patterns to my size so this was fun to try. On the other hand I didn't love having to print out, piece together, and tape the .pdf pattern. It took a fair amount of extra time not to mention additional overhead. And I'm still working on how to best store my .pdf patterns once they have been assembled.



I cut out this cardigan in an extra small with the desire to assemble the whole garment with only my serger. Since the material was cut so small I wanted to be careful not to take off too much additional material with my serger blade. I probably should have taken the time to remove the blade since I wasn't entirely finishing each seam and ended up having to use a small zig zag stitch inside of my serged edges to completely finish each seam.



Although this version is fairly small I envision wearing it to the office in the summer, mostly over cute sleeveless blouses, so the size shouldn't be a big issue. I love this modern style and found the pattern quick and easy to assemble. When I do make it again I will size up to allow for additional layers.

Time estimated: 4 hours
Size: extra small
Material used: jersey knit, polyester spandex blend
Care instructions: machine wash warm or cold, tumble dry low, iron low in needed

Cost to make t-shirt:
pattern - $14.00
fabric - $9.00
*used existing thread
TOTAL: $23.00

I hope you and yours are happy and healthy. Thank you for joining me on my sewing journey, I hope it brings you some joy in this trying season.

As I've transitioned to working exclusively from home I've been wearing a lot more casual garments than I usually do. Thankfully I had a few different legging patterns and coordinating knit fabric options in my stash and within a few hours I had an extended work-from-home wardrobe.

Before I started making my own leggings I had a terrible time trying to find ready-to-wear leggings that didn't walk down my legs. As I'm sure you know, not all leggings are made the same. Below I outline some of the features of my favorite legging patterns.

Helen's Closet - Avery Leggings
I've made the Avery leggings once before and found that the pattern ran small, so I sized up from my usual measurements and made a size medium in a deluxe viscose jersey knit with a high waistband and ankle length leg. Sizing up helped to eliminate any laugh lines across the front of my leggings and I would make a size medium again. Unique to this pattern, the Avery leggings have a gusset allowing for a wide range of motion. I also enjoy the high waisted option, which lends itself to a bit of tummy control and curve smoothing. However, the high waisted option is just a bit too tall for me and I would reduce it by about an inch if I were to make it again. Once I learned to size up I really liked these leggings.

Pattern Features
Two waistband heights
Two leg lengths
Gusset
18 1/2" across seat (size medium)
$14



Patterns for Pirates - Peg Legs
This was the first time I made a pair of Peg Legs, but I've heard swimming reviews of them online. These came together very quickly and were a classic legging pattern. Unique to this pattern, there wasn't a waistband piece. Instead I cut waistband pieces unique to my size and waistband weight. Additionally, elastic is inserted at the seam connecting the waistband to the leggings. I made the size large with the high waistband option at ankle length. Construction was fairly simple and I would certainly make these again.

Pattern Features
Two waistband heights
Four leg lengths
21 1/2" across seat (size large)
FREE



Laela Jeyne - Taylor Leggings
I received the Taylor leggings pattern and coordinating fabric in the September 2019 Sewciety Box. I can't say enough good things about these leggings, which quickly became a wardrobe staple. I made a size medium in turquoise athletic knit with the medium height waistband and cropped the length at the ankle. They were easy to make with clear instructions and are easy to wear no matter how many snacks I've had. This pattern was the widest of the three through the hips, exactly what I need in a fitted legging pattern. Unique to this pattern, the Taylor leggings also come with a maternity waistband option.

Pattern Features
Three waistband heights
Three leg lengths
22 1/4" across seat (size medium)
$12

I would be hard-pressed to say which of these leggings patterns is my favorite; I think they each have their own unique features and I anticipate reaching for different leggings depending on the occasion. That said, my mom has requested a pair of matching Taylor leggings and I understand why she wanted a pair!

A few things I was reminded of in making these leggings is to be mindful of the percentage of stretch a legging pattern requires and the percentage of stretch of each fabric option. Also to keep top of mind, the opacity of fabric when it is stretched across your body. We don't want any surprises!

Happy sewing, and happy lounging.

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