Make Nine 2024
The nine items I’d like to attempt this year! More details below.
As well as writing, making - sewing, knitting, weaving, spinning, and crochet - keeps me sane / offers a small amount of control in turbulent times. It’s also a good way of letting off steam after a busy day! (Looks at the half finished Nectar blanket in the corner of the room.)
I am once again attempting a “make nine” items challenge. Partly to remind myself that I can make myself pretty things for the body that I have. This especially helps when I’m battling with that internal fatphobia which has plagued most of my life. (I have found over the last decade that acknowledging it is as important as challenging it.) I also want to build in wiggle room if I get mega busy/stressed/sad again this year. And I have a few health things to contend with this year as well as a self-imposed deadline for finishing a draft of “Project Rec” and outlining “Project Manchester” . Plus getting back into making, and sharing (AKA “being brave”), what I believe the cool people call “content”.
So, from left to right, top to bottom, with links to the original designer where possible, Here’s my proposed make nine for 2024:
🪡Anna Allen Clothing Demeter dress and top: this pattern goes from size 00 - 22 which is just about OK in terms of size inclusivity and it is a boxy pattern with a lot of wiggle room / dancing twirling ability. I plan on making a few tops and will probably lengthen them because this does not look drafted for a 177cm body (just under 5’10’’).
🪡Deer and Doe Mysosotis dress: this pattern has been in my possession for years now and I’ve intended to make it for about that time too! It’s European sizing which does throw me a little, however, Deer and Doe have more about sizing on their website here (links to page).
🪡Cosmaudi Carolina Cardigan Lite: a boxy, “brioche” style crochet cardigan that is available in sizes XS - 5XL (or chest size 71 - 158cm / 28 - 62 inches) which I think is good size wise, however, it also recommends 20.25 - 20.5cm / 8 - 10 inches ease which may make it a little restrictive if you are on the larger chest size.
🪡Sew Liberated Chanterelle Pants and Shorts: wide legged, tapered or short shorts with myriad pocket styles I fell in love with the wide legged style of the pattern when Meg teased them weeks and weeks before the pattern was released. Good sizing range from 0 - 34. Loads of pockets and the instructions are great. Now I just need to make myself a pair - I’m thinking patchwork, I’m thinking 90s hippie style for summer…
🪡The Little Pomegranate Sabina skirt: you may remember Rumana from 2016’s Great British Sewing Bee. This skirt is a free pattern (yay!) and sized from 6 - 34 (UK sizing). I’m planning on turning my Friday Pattern Company Wilder gown into a skirt as I don’t like the bodice on me.
🪡Ready to Sew Jazz e-book: again, a series of patterns I’ve had for ages and been too nervous to make. UK sizing 4 - 24 which is a bit more restrictive than some of the other patterns. That said, I really want to make the playsuit with the cross over in linen for summer.
🪡True Bias Nova Jumpsuit: the version I own is 0 - 18 (not great in terms of size inclusivity), however, further sizing is available in 14 - 30. I’m aiming for a summer jumpsuit to live in like a luxury Florida nana. The fabric I’ll be using for it is a viscose jersey from October’s Sew Hayley Jane luxury box.
🪡Jennifer Lauren Handmade Pippi Pinafore: although I bought the original version years back, the Pippi is now available in sizes 6 - 34 with multiple cup sizes. I love the pockets on this and I have some gorgeous bee corduroy which will look ace.
🪡Tilly and the Buttons Lyra dress: I mean, what isn’t there to love about this shirt dress? Available in UK sizes 6 - 34 and apparently runs on the larger size with its billowing, positive ease. Definitely one for twirling, definitely one for reliving the 1970s.
