Happy New Year! I absolutely love planning my sewing projects (almost as much as completing them), so January really is my time to shine. My favourite planning tool to use is a #makenine – if you’re not familiar with the concept of a ‘make nine’ you can read all about it and see how I have participated in previous years in this blog post.
Last year I chose a nice mix of wardrobe basics, quick makes and more involved projects. I already had 8 of the 9 patterns and fabrics in my stash for several of them, so it was nice and straightforward to work through and tick off the makes during the year. It was a busy year for my business in 2022 and for that I am hugely grateful – adding my new job at the Fold Line (which I love) into the mix too and my personal sewing time definitely wasn’t as plentiful as previous years, but I absolutely wouldn’t have it any other way and I still managed to complete my 9 projects by November!
I have written blog posts about a couple of my projects, which are linked below in case you would like to read more. From top to bottom, left to right I made…
– Emporia Patterns Cassie Dress
– Paper Theory Block Tee
– Paper Theory Zadie Jumpsuit
– Friday Pattern Company Adrienne Blouse
– Megan Nielsen Hovea Jacket
– True Bias Lander Shorts
– Itch to Stitch Busan Top
– Style Arc Lacey Dress
– McCall’s M8030 Shirtdress
I can’t pick a favourite, but the Zadie, Block Tee, Lacey, Busan and M8030 were all worn a lot in 2022. My least successful project was the Lander Shorts as they don’t really fit!
But now, what we’re all really here for… my 2023 plans!
I’m so excited about sewing these garments! I think I have chosen a nice mix of wardrobe basics and more special projects. I already have 6 of the 9 patterns and although my fabric stash is small (I try to keep it under 10 cuts of fabric at all times) I have things in mind for several of them. From top to bottom, left to right I will be making…
I Am Patterns Nout Trousers
If you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know I’m a huge fan of this designer! The lovely Blandine gifted me a copy of the Nout pattern and I have some nice charcoal coloured cotton/linen blend in mind to sew these up.
Paper Theory LB Pullover
This is such a popular pattern and I want to know what all the fuss is about! I have ordered some delicious organic cotton sweatshirting from Bawn Textiles specifically for this project and I think it would be a good idea to sew it up soon to get me through the end of winter.
Style Arc Bob Pants
Another extremely popular pattern that I want in on! There are so many gorgeous versions of these trousers on Instagram and I particularly like @JessamyB‘s collection (her bright red pair are pictured above). I don’t have any fabric for my pair yet, but I will probably make them in linen.
Sew Liberated Studio Tunic
I have been taking pottery classes recently and enjoyed them so much I have signed up for another term at the studio, so obviously I need to upgrade my store bought apron to a me made one! My Christmas present from my husband was 2m of Boston Fall linen from Merchant and Mills for my tunic and I am going to try and sew this up ready for the start of term in January.
Maven Patterns French Dart
The lovely Mrs Maven gifted me a copy of this pattern at the Stitch Festival earlier this year and I have been looking forward to making it ever since! I fell in love with the needlecord sample displayed on her stand at the show and I have been looking for a similar fabric for a while – hopefully I will find some this year!
Anna Allen Helene Selvedge Jeans
The oldest fabric in my stash is a 3m cut of Japanese selvedge denim that I bought for a bargain price at the Merchant and Mills yard sale back in 2021. As soon as this pattern was released last year I knew my fabric had just been waiting to be turned into a pair of these jeans!
Vivian Shao Chen Nepheline Blouse
I absolutely love my Orchards Dress by the same designer and I am looking forward to making another of her beautiful patterns. I have a lovely cut of forest green tencel in my stash, which will show off the pretty details of this blouse perfectly.
Merchant and Mills Omilie Dress
Another brand I am a big fan of. As soon as I saw the sneak peek of this pattern with the gathered yoke and off-centre button placket, I added it to my list! I don’t have a fabric in mind for the dress yet, but I am sure I will find something gorgeous.
Named Clothing Syli Dress
I do love hiding in a lovely voluminous dress and this has so many pretty details. There aren’t many versions on Instagram yet, but the few I have seen are absolutely stunning and I am looking forward to sewing this up. I don’t have any fabric in my stash which will work for this, but I think something lightweight and plain will be perfect.
So there we have it – 9 fabulous projects for me to work my way through in 2023! Of course these will not be the only garments I make – other patterns will catch my eye and new ones will be released, but I’m really happy with my plans. I think I’m most excited and scared in equal measure about my Helene Jeans – it will be so nice to finally use my cut of selvedge denim, but sewing jeans that fit perfectly is always a challenge. Don’t be surprised if this is the last of my 9 projects that gets completed!