Make Nine 2026

Happy New Year! 2025 was another busy year of sewing for me, including several projects for our house renovations, samples for workshops and a number of garments for myself. I once again failed to post much on my blog, just sharing my makes on Instagram, but like many sewists, the platform just really isn’t somewhere I particularly want to be anymore. So in 2026 I really will be sharing more of my sewing here, starting with my favourite topic – plans for the year! For me, planning is almost as fun as sewing, and although I might well be the only one using a #makenine these days, it’s still my favourite tool to focus in on some core projects and make sure that they come to fruition.

Last year I intentionally included some patterns from designers that I had not used before. This was either because they were popular with Fold Line customers and I wanted 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! We did actually welcome Spaghetti Western Sewing to the Fold Line in 2025 and her designs have already been a hit with customers.

From top to bottom, left to right I made…

Merchant and Mills Paynter Jacket
Emporia Patterns Margot Dress
Grainline Studio Archer Shirt
Spaghetti Western Sewing Juno Dress
Our Lady of Leisure Gimlet Boilersuit
Frux Studio Garden Dress
Maison Fauve Atlas Blouse
Ready to Sew Jocko Pullover
McCall’s M8202

I really enjoyed all of these projects, but would say that Margot and M8202 were the least successful. I want to love the Margot, but the style just doesn’t suit my body shape, sadly – you really need some boobs to wrap in a wrap top! I had major fit issues with the M8202 and I don’t think I chose the most suitable fabric, so this hasn’t been worn much at all. Both of these garments will likely be upcycled at some point, as I love the fabrics and can probably give them a new life as something else.

The one I have worn the most is definitely the Archer – it’s been a great addition to my wardrobe and I would definitely make another if the right fabric catches my eye. A close second is the Jocko Pullover – this has been a cosy staple that I have reached for again and again. Both the Garden Blouse and Paynter were really involved makes and I am thrilled with the finish I achieved – a testament to how much my sewing skills have developed in the 12 years I have been dressmaking!

But now, what we’re all really here for… my 2026 plans!

From top to bottom, left to right, I will be making:

Papercut Patterns Ashling Blouse and Dress
I’ve always loved this dress, so when Papercut stopped selling paper copies of their patterns this year, I snapped one up. I’m not sure if I’ll make the dress or blouse version and I don’t have any fabric in mind for this project, but there will definitely be ruffles!

Betty Silk LaLa Pants
I bought this pattern from Lizzie at Threads Festival last summer and I’m excited to add another pair of barrel leg trousers to my wardrobe. Stonewash denim seems to be everywhere at the moment and I only have very dark indigo jeans, so I quite fancy a pale blue denim pair. I might head back to Woolcrest Textiles to check out their denims as the one I bought from them for my Archer is exquisite and was ridiculously cheap!

Spaghetti Western Sewing Willa Shorts
I really love my Juno Dress, so I’m keen to make another of Sadies’ patterns. She’s so cool and I really love her style sense, so it will be interesting to see whether I can wear these shorts as well as her! I don’t have any fabric for them, but will probably go for something plain so the ruffles (more ruffles?) can be seen and appreciated.

Fibre Mood Soraya Jumper
My lovely mum went to Australia last year and very kindly brought me back 5 cuts of various merino wools from We Are the Fabric Store! One of them is a maroon/burgundy heavy interlock jersey with amazing drape, so I think that will be perfect for this pattern. The jumper should look really cute with leggings, and it will be warm and comfy.

I Am Patterns Pearl Blouse
Another amazingly versatile design from the I Am Patterns team! This blouse has 36 variations, but it’s the cute little ruffled collar I adore (ruffles again!) I’m not sure which length or sleeve option I will go for yet, so I will see what fabric I end up choosing before I decide.

Ready To Sew Pekka Jacket
This jacket is always popular with Fold Line customers and I think it will be great for popping on to layer up on chillier days when working from home. I’ve never actually sewn with the Merchant and Mills jacquard fabric, but I think it will likely be what a choose for my version of the jacket as the samples look so good.

The Craft of Clothes Zero Waste Pleated Top
I like to include a bit of a wild card in my plans each year, and this is it! I chanced upon this pattern when one of the Sew Over 50 crew shared it on Instagram, and I found the zine it came from on Etsy for about £3 – bargain! I’ve not tried any zero waste sewing yet, but I do bloody love a pleated detail, so I’m looking forward to making this. I will be looking out for some finely striped fabric to show off that amazing design.

Sew Liberated Missive Bag
I try to do between 8k and 10k steps every day, and we’re lucky enough to live near a beautiful nature reserve which is perfect for walks. I really need a dinky bag to take with me when I’m not wearing a coat and don’t have any pockets – just something big enough for my phone and keys! I bought this pattern as soon as it was released and I have already stashed away the hardware I need to make it. I’m planning a scrappy, quilted version to use up some bits and pieces and have some fun!

Atelier Scämmit Archipel Top
This was an immediate purchase as soon as the pattern was released and I especially love the button-front version with the pretty little ruffle at the hem (there’s definitely a theme here!) The top is lined and looks like it has a very clean finish – I haven’t sewn a pattern from this brand before, so I’m looking forward to trying it. I don’t have a fabric in mind, but will probably choose something summery.

So there we are – 9 projects and 4 lots of ruffles for me to work through in 2026! I actually already have 8 of these patterns (perks of working for a sewing pattern company) and fabric ready for 2 of them, 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 the last big push to finish our house renovations starting this month (knocking through the kitchen/dining room and fitting a new kitchen) I’m going to have to go with the flow and squeeze in pockets of sewing time whenever I can. I’ll probably start with the bag as a little warm-up project!

In other plans, I also have a quilt ready to make this year, which will be hung above the stairs in our newly decorated hallway. I made a blind and a matching bench cushion for the space using some gorgeous Fableism fabric and then decided to splash out on the Fat Quarter bundle from the same range to create my pièce de résistance. I saw the quilt below on Instagram and fell in love with the pattern – it’s the Repair Block and Quilt Pattern by Eudaimonia Studio and I think it’s the perfect modern design for our wall. I can’t wait to get started on this one!

I hope you have some delicious sewing plans for the year ahead, and I will be back soon to share some finished projects!