Make Nine 2019 Challenge: Halfway Point Update

I’m amazed that the first half of 2019 is already over! If you’ll recall, back in January, several of us posted our plans to take part in the #MakeNine challenge for 2019.  As we mentioned in our original post, we’re checking in at the halfway point to talk about our progress (or lack thereof) with our planned sewing for the year.

Andie

The #makenine challenge to me is just a sort of guideline. I’ve been bad at making all the projects in past years but getting better at it. Here’s a reminder of my guidelines and where I am at with them:

1. Ottobre coat Autumn/Winter 2017: I have the pattern altered and traced. I have the material for it. I’ll probably start it in the fall since I ran out of time in the winter and wanted to sew for Spring and Summer instead.

2. Cashmerette Chilton Trenchcoat: I have the fabric cut out and ready to sew.

3. McCall’s 7726: I own the pattern. LOL.

4. Burda Off the Shoulder Sweater: I made this one! I really like it. It’s a cozy sweater.

5. Burda Oversized Blouse: I have the pattern but nothing started.

6. Burda Spencer Jacket: Honestly, I could probably take this one off the list.

7. Decades of Style Dorothy Lara dress: I have my PDF pattern printed.

8. Blank Slate Patterns Marigold dress: I have the PDF pattern printed and assembled. I just need to do see if there are any alterations to do before I cut out the fabric.

9. Seamwork Magazine Arden dress: Same as above. I have the PDF printed and assembled and I just need to do alterations before cutting it out. I think I will be doing a shorter sleeve since I am a bit low on fabric.

It may not look it with only one completed but I feel like I am on track to finish 5/9 by the end of the year.

Jessica

Well, I got off to a good start by making my cowl neckline wool dress in January and then…I fell off the wagon!

I really meant to make my aqua Easter dress, but I ran out of time. Mom’s dress always gets made last…if at all.

I did finally find time to make the stripped Sewaholic skirt and it is my favorite weekend clothing item! I’d been too anxious for years about the stripe matching. Do the stripes match? Not much. Do I care? Not at all. It’s a casual garment and I’ve been getting so many compliments. I also have exactly zero photo evidence of its existence.

Lastly, I’m counting this make as 1/2 a point. For some reason I got it into my mind that I’d selected these purple fabrics for my make nine and then went I looked into the stack…not there. Hmmmm. Odd. Looks like January me wanted to push myself to use more difficult fabrics. So I used the purple fabrics to test the patterns I planned to use with the navy floral and kelly green fabrics. The resulting ensemble is a success so now I just need to find time to use the actually selected make nine items.

2.5 our of 9? I guess that’s not too bad. Only the Easter dress is totally off the table for this year. The others are still in my to-sew pile. Now if only I had more time!

Kristina

Ok, Meatloaf said two out of three aren’t bad. He clearly never attempted a Make Nine challenge (to be fair “one and a half out of nine isn’t great but I’m trying” doesn’t have quite the same ring to it?)

I have so far managed one completed Concord tee (which I love), and half a pair of Sasha pants–I need to slim the leg & finish the waistband. It’s silly but I probably should have attempted these pants in a more interesting/colourful fabric, while I like a well-fitting pair of black pants as much as the next girl, do I actually want to sew them? Not helped by the fact I struggle sewing very dark fabrics at night. I have made culottes (lovely Megan Neilson Tanya’s) and the PJ’s & dress are definitely in my warmer weather sewing plans, but it’s a chilly 5 degrees here tonight, I really should crack on and make some nice new jeans & a bomber jacket!

Michelle

My take on the MakeNine challenge was to try to motivate myself to sew at least 9 of 12 patterns that I’d had in my stash for a bit. These were generally patterns that I kept pulling out and wanted to make but kept getting distracted by other projects.

As of this posting, I’ve made up three patterns from this list and have cut out a fourth:

• Victory Lola dress
• Seamwork Tacara dress
• StyleArc Brice jumpsuit
• HotPatterns Favorite Shirt (cut out)

Victory Patterns Lola dress (above): I made this out of an inexpensive French Terry knit and initially really didn’t like how it looked on me. After letting it spend some time in the magic closet, I came around on it and wore it some before the weather turned warm, although it’ll probably never be a favorite of mine.

Seamwork Tacara dress (above): I also made the Tacara out of French Terry and have worn it quite a bit.  It’s definitely a “secret pajamas” dress.

StyleArc Brice jumpsuit (above): I love my Brice jumpsuit. I did make some design alterations to the pattern–making the sleeves short and adding in-seam pockets in the pants. It’s cute, comfortable, and work-appropriate–what’s not to love? Fabric is a beefy cotton-lycra jersey from Mood.

Tanya

Well, I’m the big loser in this challenge, as I’ve finished exactly ZERO of my make nine so far this year. I’ve been working on a big historical costuming project for months now and it’s taking me much longer than I imagined as I’m doing crewelwork on an 18th century robe a la Francaise.  I’m nearing my deadline to complete it and my sewing time should be freed up after that.  I do still intend to sew all of my “make nine” patterns this year, with the exception of Gertie’s Butterick pattern on the bottom right.  I’ll be switching that one out for her Charm Pattern’s Lamour Dress that was recently released in extended sizes and provided to us at the CSC for review.