Well in a pandemic, and a year that included rehabbing from surgery, I haven’t spent any time on this blog. Makes me think it’s time to decide – either the ease of use isn’t working for me, or I need to rethink keeping this around, or I need a friend who knows more about webpages, hosting etc to coach me. But that’s for a later day. For now, let’s talk sewing.

I did a decent job of my Make Nine 2020 but I didn’t finish it. Maybe I’ll post about it later. I did share the finished makes on my Instagram. I made more than nine items but like all of us, our needs adapt as time goes on.

For 2021 I want to try again, and these nine are things I feel I need in my wardrobe at this time. They may change, and that’s ok. One overall goal is I do want to get my stash down. I would like to see my stash looking much emptier by the end of the year. I do have fabrics for all of these already so hopefully that makes it easier to jump right in…

Decreasing my stash doesn’t mean I’m on a fabric buying ban. But it does mean that if at all possible, I’ll try to use stash fabric first. For example, I have plenty of fabric for dresses, and at the very least, I should be able to make a version of the dresses I plan out of my stash first. Even if I end up buying fabric for another version.

So lets get into my Make Nine 2021…

1. Coat: I would like another winter coat, and I found this gorgeous Cashmere Wool Blend Melton From Stylemaker Fabrics and can’t wait for a cozy warm coat. I’m making a muslin out of cotton and one I’m satisfied with that first I may make a muslin out of some fleece to see how it fits in a bulkier fabric, knowing I need to fit layers under. I’m planning on Butterick 6385 right now, which will be my first coat out of a big 4 pattern. Butterick usually fits me reasonably well, so we will see how it goes. This is what I’ve started working on, so I will share more later.
2. Well Fitting Bra

If you follow me along on Instagram you will have seen that last year I made a couple. I haven’t perfected the fit so I ended up switching patterns to the black beauty bra and that seems to be a really popular one and I’ve done a Muslim after making some fish changes and I feel like I might be ready to make my first wearable bra my goal for the end of 2021 is to replace my bra drawer for my day-to-day bras with ready to wear ones that fit correctly. None of the bras in my drawer are really accurate in terms of fit so it’s time to ditch the ready-to-wear and do it correctly.

3. Trousers for work:

I’m thinking about making the Jenny trousers because I also do want to make a pair of overalls at some point so I have that pattern and plan to make it up I also have a couple of other parents I’d like to sew. I really like how the ginger jeans fit on me so I feel like at least sticking with closet patterns is a good Option for a pair of trousers for work that are not jeans.

4. The Jasika Blazer:

I was given some wool fabric that would be perfect for a blazer last year. I could use a blazer in my wardrobe that fits well that can dress up my day-to-day style at work so I think this is the year I’m going to make it. I’ve a blazer and coats before and coats before. Perhaps I’ll go on a “coat-making” kick before I move on from the coat I’ve started (B6385).

5. Appleton Wrap Dress:

This is a TNT for me but when I no longer fit into their size range I’ve been watching for a replacement but never found exactly what I wanted. This pattern. Hence it didn’t get checked off my 2020 list. I was thrilled that being slow writing out my thoughts on my 2021 Make Nine meant Cashmerette released this pattern in 0-32 a couple of weeks ago – so I can make it in my current size without trying to hack another pattern! Now to find a TNT pattern for a woven wrap dress. Maybe Simplicity 8735? I’m not sure.

6. The Gilbert Top:

I saw this top and had to have it. I can see it dressed up for work with some of my shorter lengths of rayons.

7. Chambray Shirt Dress:

I love the popular M6696 but want to branch out – I can do without gathers and pleats. So I am going to try B6702.

8. Jeans:

There will be more Ginger Jeans – I’ve made them three times and have a jeans making retreat this year – pandemic permitting. I’ve made the Morgan Jeans once, and like them but they don’t fit me right at the moment. I want to make another pair of non-stretch jeans, though I want my running shape back too so non-stretch Jeans are lower on my list. But the Dawn Jeans are popular so maybe I should branch out? I’m not sure which pattern, but I do plan to make more Jeans…

9. Leather Necessary Clutch Wallet:

I’ve made this twice, and have the leather. Now to brave a newer genre of sewing…

Any guesses how many will be complete by Dec 31, 2021?