This blog began as a (very badly kept) new year resolution. It’s been left aside fort years, but since I still like to have my little corner of the internets, I decided to put it back on its feet, little by little. There are still many, many things left to do, but hey: “done is better than perfect”.
This saying is relevant for sewing as well: I’m often too perfectionist (which, for me, is quite the same thing as being a procastinator) and I’ve always wanted to bite more than I could chew. This has always kept me from this simple task: sewing what I actually need. This is why I decided to rally the #makenine project this year.
The name is rather self-explainatory (but the project is detailed here): set you mind on 9 pieces of clothing to sew in 2019. Nine clothes in twelve months may not seem like a lot. I obviously intend to make more. Yet, if I’m perfectly honest, I’m not sure I finished 9 clothes in 2018, so this project may help me to keep track. I’m also rather diappointed by the content of my list: I wish it were made of more elaborate, glamorous garments… But let’s face the facts: I’m not really a glamorous person anyway – again, “done (or in ths case, sewn), is better than perfect”. Let’s have a look at the list (always my favorite part in this type of article anyway)!
- Suki kimono (Helen’s Closet) : this collection’s luxurious item. Chic pajamas, romantic nightshirts, luscious robes… loungewear has always been an obsession of mine. I have many “kimono” patterns, but the Suki has many pretty details.
- Hermès shirt shirt, IAM patterns. It’s a risk, since I already have a favorite shirt pattern (which is more fitted), and I’ve already made this pattern without finishing it (I was unimpressed by the fit). Still, I’m giving it another chance as I would like to wear more shirts, and it sums up perfectly what I want: a loose fit with bust darts (I already tried the famous Archer shirt, but I truly dislike the absence of darts).
- Brume skirt, Deer and Doe. I’d like to try more structured skirts than my perpetual gathered skirts, but traditional pencil skirt don’t fit in my lifestyle. I always admired Brume’s lines, and I have complete faith in Deer and Doe patterns.
- Fusain trousers, Blousette Rose. Pretty, simple, pleated trousers, for a dressed up alternative to denim. I love the fact that the fly has buttons: I find it way less scary than a zipper!
- Lizaig bodysuit, from the book le Body de Marie. I bought the book since I had read the instrutions were very detailed, and I’d really like to tackle jersey this year.
- Bowling bag, probably using this this tutorial from Make my Lemonade. Lisa Gachet’s lemony empire is very inspireing, but I’ve never sewn anything from her. I really need a sports bag, so this seems like a perfect occasion.
- Linden sweatshirt, Grainline Studio. Another jersey pattern, and a piece of clothing that will fit right into my casual lifestyle. Shoul my tendinitis improve this year, I might try my hand at embroidery.
- Safran jeans, Deer and Doe. My challenge. I wear jeans at least 6 days a week, and they’re the piece of clothing I still buy from fast fashion. These last months several favorites of mine have let me down, and I haven’t replaced them, hoping it would force me to make mine. Deer and Doe’s model seems like a very good starting point.
- Kielo wrap dress, Named patterns. Yet another jersey pattern (4 out of 9) and an attempt to get out of my comfort zone with this rather unusual pattern that could replace my one and only maxi dress, which has seen better days. I’m fairly weary of named patterns, since the two I have attempted were huge on me, but this particular pattern seems very popular.
Overall, this seems to me like a well-rounded list, both regarding what I need and the skills I’d like to develop. My wish for this sewing year is to complete it and to share my progress on this space. I wish you a beautiful 2019.
