Happy New Year! Although my blog has been sorely neglected, if you follow me over on Instagram you will know that I have been a busy bee in my sewing studio in 2024. I don’t tend to make resolutions, but I do want to share more of my sewing here in 2025, starting with my plans for the year! I absolutely live for planning my sewing projects and my favourite tool to use is a #makenine. Working for The Fold Line means I am constantly inspired by new pattern releases, so it’s a great way to focus in on some core projects and make sure that they come to fruition.
Last year I chose a mix of garment types, some easy-sews and some more involved makes, so I could pick projects depending on how much time I had available to sew. As several of these projects were planned for 2023, I already had 8 of the 9 patterns and fabric to make 6 of them in my stash – I was all set! It was another busy year in 2024, but ongoing house renovations meant that I spent quite a lot of time hiding from the chaos of building work in my studio and seeking sanctuary in sewing. As a result, I managed to complete my 9 projects in just 6 months!
From top to bottom, left to right I made…
Sew Liberated Chanterelle Pants
Ready to Sew Pablo Overalls
I Am Patterns Mowgli Sweatpants
Tessuti Fabrics Rae Top
Crosstown Crescent Bag
Matchy Matchy Makers Over Shirt
McCall’s M8312
I Am Patterns Merlin Coat
Emporia Patterns Penelope Dress
These projects were all really successful! My favourite has to be my Crescent bag – I take it with me almost every time I leave the house and I absolutely love it! So much so that it’s looking a little bit tatty now, so I’m going to make a new one very soon in some green corduroy leftovers. I have worn most of these garments a lot since I made them – particularly the over shirt and sweatpants. The M8312 has also been a winner, and I always receive compliments and nice comments whenever I wear it. I think the least worn is the coat, but that is more to do with the wet weather than the success of the project.
But now, what we’re all really here for… my 2025 plans!
This year, I have intentionally included some patterns from designers that I have not used before. This is either because they are popular with Fold Line customers and I want in on the action, or to keep an eye on what is out there, as we are always looking to add new and exciting designers to the online shop! From top to bottom, left to right I will be making…
Merchant and Mills Paynter Jacket
This was an immediate purchase for me! I am a huge fan girl of Merchant and Mills, and as I cannot resist anything ‘limited edition’ or ‘exclusive’, I would have bought this for the woven labels alone! The jacket is the kind of garment that you wear for years, so I’m going to take my time with this one and make sure my sewing will stand the test of time. I don’t have any fabric yet, but I did order some swatches of lightweight canvas from Bawn Textiles, which would be perfect.
Emporia Patterns Margot Dress
I am very fond of fellow Kent residents Clair and Charlotte from Emporia, and I always try to support their business by attending their events and open days, buying fabric from them at shows and sewing their patterns. They have been working hard to digitise their designs, and I’m excited to sew one of the first Emporia PDF patterns! I bought some deadstock wool jersey from Simply Fabrics for this dress, and I think the plain colour will make this an easy-to wear wardrobe staple.
Grainline Studio Archer Shirt
I have a denim shirt in my wardrobe that is so old and well-worn is has started to disintegrate, so I’m going to have to replace it, as much as I don’t want to! The Grainline Archer is an absolute classic shirt pattern, and very similar in style and design to my favourite denim shirt. I bought some lovely lightweight denim for this project when we visited Woolcrest Textiles in the summer – now I just need to source some snaps and I’m ready to get cracking.
Spaghetti Western Sewing Juno Dress
I have followed Sadie for ages and I love her designs so much! Her latest release, the Juno Dress, is an absolute stunner and I can’t wait to sew one up. I don’t have a fabric in mind yet, but I have a little shopping list on the go for my next trip to Merchant and Mills, and I am certain I will find the perfect cloth for my version there.
Our Lady of Leisure Gimlet Boilersuit
This is a bit of a wild card! I have wanted to make a boilersuit for ages, but as I have never owned one, I am not sure if it is something that will be a worthwhile addition to my wardrobe. Will I look like a mechanic? Who knows, but I won’t find out unless I try! I have not sewn a pattern by this company before, but there are some great reviews for the Gimlet, so I’m going to give it a whirl. I don’t have any fabric yet, but I will be looking for something inexpensive as this will definitely be considered as a ‘wearable toile’.
Frux Studio Garden Dress
Another new-to-me designer, and an absolutely beautiful pattern! I LOVE sewing pintucks, so this dress is totally my jam. I’m not sure which version I will make yet and I haven’t got a fabric in mind, but I am excited to sew up this pattern ready for the summer.
Maison Fauve Atlas Blouse
Maison Fauve patterns are hugely popular, but I have never made one! The Atlas blouse is perfect for throwing on with jeans and still looking put-together, and it seems I just can’t resist pintucks. I don’t have fabric for this pattern yet, but I will be on the lookout for something plain, so the beautiful construction details will stand out.
Ready to Sew Jocko Pullover
This has been on my radar forever, and judging by how much I wear my Kate’s Sewing Patterns Merilyn Sweater I know it will be a very welcome addition to my wardrobe. I bought some lovely terracotta coloured sweatshirting from Selfmade when we visited Copenhagen last April, and I had this pattern in mind for it. I will definitely make the high-neck version, and I will lengthen the sleeves for extra warmth.
McCall’s M8202
With all the indie patterns around these days it’s easy for the commercial patterns to pass you by, but there are some absolute gems to be found and their 50% off sales are hard to beat! This blouse caught my eye a while ago, and I snapped it up for less than £10, including shipping. I love the cover version (View C), so I will be looking out for some suitable fabric to make a similar top ready for the summer.
So there we are – 9 projects to get stuck into in 2025! I have 3 of these patterns already and 3 cuts of fabric ready to go, so it won’t be long before I get started on my plans. These won’t be the only garments I make this year, but with further house renovations on the cards and more contracted hours at one of my three jobs, I’m going to have to go with the flow and just enjoy whatever sewing time I can carve out. I think I’m most excited about the Paynter Jacket – it was The Fold Line’s 4th biggest seller in 2024, and I have seen some fantastic versions already – I can’t wait to make one!
Thanks, this is inspiring! Good luck and have fun. My own house construction should end within 3 weeks! I just finished Maison Fauve’s Cliff coat.😁