Ok, it’s almost March, but I’ve finally decided on my make nine for 2019.  

First, I just want to thank Rochelle at the Lucky Lucille blog for coming up with this idea/hashtag (If you would like more info/inspo on this challenge, you can find her blog at https://luckylucille.com). Nine garments is perfect for me for a year, I think.  It forces me to really think about what I need in my wardrobe without overwhelming myself by trying to sew all the garments in one year.   It also gives me a way to fabric shop with a purpose. As I browse, I have my pattern selections in mind. This prevents me from mindlessly buying any fabric I think is pretty.

I have seen some sewists on Instagram who are almost all the way through their make nine!  That is very impressive. I will never sew that quickly. While I am often jealous of other sewists’ productivity, I have to remind myself that is not the journey I am on.  I began sewing so that I could be more mindful, purposeful and slow with my wardrobe. I also remind myself that 9 garments is more than I purchased for the whole of last year, so in some ways, I feel very spoiled by the make nine.

This year is all about basic clothing items and building up my sewing skills.  My goal is for the year to culminate in the one wardrobe item that has always eluded me: the white button-down.  Katie says she remembers me searching for the perfect white button down when we worked together 10 years ago. I remember searching for it before that.  I’ve owned 3 or 4 of them in my life, but they were either too big or too stiff or too fitted or too . . . . whatever. None of them was right.

After my buttonhole experience with the Hudson pants, I am terrified of making a button-down shirt.  But Katie and I are signed up for a Tilly and the Buttons shirt making workshop, which we plan to take together sometime towards the end of this year.  I feel that if I can conquer the button down, I will be confident enough to take on some more in-depth projects next year-perhaps even jeans and/or a coat.  Yikes!!!!!

Those items are pie in the sky for me right now, but I feel pretty good about my make nine selection.  I think they are doable, but I will learn from them as well and hopefully have filled some wardrobe holes in the process.  So, without further ado, here it is:

Ultimate Pencil Skirt by Sew Over it

Peplum Top by Love Notions Patterns

Ultimate Trousers by Sew Over it

Sunny T-shirt by Friday Pattern Company

Adventure Tank by Fancy Tiger Crafts

Nora Top by Collette Patterns

Cargo Duffle by Noodlehead

Sencha Blouse by Collete Patterns

Rosa Shirt by Tilly and the Buttons

Yay!  I’m so excited!!  Let’s put on our Confident Pants and get sewing!

What about you?  What is your make nine plan?  Have you started yet?