Happy New Year!

I hope everyone has had a joyful holiday season. After the rush of Christmas (when I just may have made matching Christmas pajamas for myself, my husband, my son, and my nieces), it’s nice to have some chill time. I’m spending some time in the mountains, hiking and skiing and hanging out in the hot tub. I didn’t bring my sewing machine with me on this trip, but I have taken some time to reflect on my handmade wardrobe and think about my sewing plans for the new year. This year I thought I’d take part in the ‘gentle’ maker’s challenge put out by Lucky Lucille/@homerowfiberco to set a goal of 9 projects to make in the new year. This is mostly an Instagram-based challenge, but I thought I’d expand on that with a long-form blog post:) So without further ado, here are my Make Nine goals for 2018!

1. Lonetree Jacket

This is a pattern by Allie Olson of Indiesew (find it here). While I still love my Minoru jacket that I made a couple years ago, I’m ready for a new casual jacket – one with lots of pockets! I considered the Kelly Anorak, but I think the Kelly is a bit more complicated and frankly I like the simplicity of the Lonetree better. The main drawback is that the Lonetree only comes as a pdf (no printed pattern) so there will be lots of taping pages together. I have some organic cotton grey twill in my stash that I think will be good for this project.

2. Pants!

I’m ready to challenge myself by making a real pair of pants. I’ve had my eye on the Chi-Town Chinos (expansion pack 2) from Alina Design Co. since it was released. It seems like the perfect pair of basic pants.

I will probably start with some basic twill or canvas (I might have enough of some navy blue canvas in my stash that would work), but I’d love to make a pair of black linen trousers. I used to own a pair that were a simple style like this that I absolutely loved – we’ll see if I can re-create them!

But there’s also this:

These are the Lander Pants by True Bias. So cool. I’ve heard that the button fly is much easier to sew than a zip fly, making these a tiny bit easier than the Chi-town chinos. These two patterns are such completely different styles though…I just may have to make both of them.

3. Button-up shirt for my husband

Mr. Fox Threads has been watching me make lots of clothes for myself and The Boy, and waiting patiently for me to make him something, so I am going to make him a shirt. Really, I am. I made what was going to be a wearable muslin from a Simplicity pattern, but then I completely destroyed the button placket while trying to open up the button holes over Thanksgiving. Why????? I got a fancy button hole cutter for Christmas (thanks Gerry!), so I’m ready to try again. With a few fit adjustments and this sailboat print chambray from Robert Kaufman (which has been sitting in my stash just waiting to be made into a shirt) I should have a nice summery shirt made in no time!

4. Coram Top

Another Allie Olson pattern – this one is woven top (or dress) with a simple silhouette and raglan sleeves. It has a similar look to the Seamwork Akita top, which I’ve made several times (two versions blogged here and here) and love, so I think that I will love this one too. I don’t have a specific fabric in mind for this, so that means I get to do some fabric shopping!

5. Tee Shirts

Not super exciting, but I spend most of my time in tees and I need some more hand-made ones. Right now I really want some 3/4 length sleeve tees, but I’m sure I will want more short sleeve tees once summer rolls around. My quest for the perfect t-shirt pattern continues…the Lark tee from Grainline came close, but the excess sleeve cap ease drives me bonkers. So I may try the Union St Tee – can’t go wrong with Hey June patterns!

6. Popover chambray shirt

I found this indigo ‘stitched’ chambray (from Robert Kaufman) and thought it would make a wonderful popover-style button up shirt. I have the Mila shirt pattern (from Itch to Stitch) that I’ve made once before (pictured above), so I will most likely use that. But the Hey June Cheyenne Tunic and the Grainline Archer popover version are also good options.

7. Waterfall Raglan

I’ve been wanting something comfortable, but slightly fancier (and longer) than a regular tee shirt to wear with skinny jeans and leggings. I think the Waterfall Raglan by Chalk and Notch fits the bill. I recently bought this pattern and I have some grey bamboo knit in my stash that I think will be a great fit for this pattern. I also have the girl’s version of the Waterfall Raglan – bought with the idea of making my nieces some cute and comfy holiday shirts. It may be too late for Christmas and New Year’s, but there are other holidays, right? If they give me the thumbs up, then I will be making these assembly-line style!

8. Sloan Leggings

Another pattern by Hey June…I bought the Sloan leggings pattern just before Christmas. I’ve made a pair for my niece and have some workout-type fabric to make a pair for myself too. I can’t say that I have a great need for these in my wardrobe, but an extra pair of workout leggings never hurts. And depending on the fabric used, this pattern could also work for pajamas, long underwear for skiing, or going-out-wearing-with-boots type leggings.

9. Carolyn Pajamas

I’ve been dreaming of making a pair of PJs in double gauze – especially dreamy for warmer weather. After making a couple of mediocre pairs of pajama pants from free “unisex” patterns, I think I should spring for the Carolyn Pajamas by Closet Case Patterns.

This exercise was a bit harder than I expected. The first 7 were pretty easy, but after that I had a few different ideas in mind – all of which I’d like to make, but none of which I feel super committed to. So I will list the Halifax Hoodie (Hey June) and Hudson Pants (True Bias) as alternates:) I haven’t included anything for The Boy, but I’m sure I will make him something too.

I’m looking forward to a new year of making, with a little bit of challenge thrown in (pants!)! I hope you are too! May 2018 be filled with all things good!

Click here to see all my 2018 Make Nine posts!