Like round ups or year-end sewing reflections, I really enjoy seeing make nine posts from other sewists and am excited to share my own. After my first year of sewing, I want to focus on making things that fill remaining wardrobe gaps while challenging my skills. Things like button ups and hard pants are on my list so I can keep working on fitting and making things that have tailored details. I have other items in mind that are outside of these main make nine projects that will help with having a bit more choice in my wardrobe and allow me to mix and match pieces together more easily.
My other side project is to figure out how to style my me-made pieces and make outfits from them. I am very simple in my approach to dressing - I don’t like to wear a lot of jewelry or makeup and I don’t wear anything on my wrists or hands. My hair is always pulled back and not particularly well. Because I end up just tossing on whatever I have and not really thinking about how it all works together, I tend to sometimes feel a little underdressed for work, or like my outfit isn’t finished. Part of this is not knowing anymore what I would like to look like or what would suit me. I think I got stuck in the over-35-and-not-knowing-how-to-dress-anymore phase. It also feels like a bit of a waste to think about it at all given the state of the world and the other important things going on in my life and community but I also want to show up for those things feeling good.
All that to say, here are the nine projects I want to really make this year.
2025 Make Nine
Nepheline blouse - Vivian Shao Chen
I know, I just made two of these in 2024. I cannot resist making more though (it really is my favourite pattern), and I have the most wonderful linen lyocell blend from Blackbird fabrics in a gold/beige window pane pattern waiting for me to make into another Nepheline. I was thinking of making a matching set and using the shorts view Tamarama pattern as well. We’ll see if I bought enough of the fabric to squeeze shorts out of it.
Jenna shirt - Closet Core Patterns
Continuing from my (very) successful Genra shirt experiment, I decided I wanted to tackle the other button up shirts on my list, starting with the Jenna. I already have the pattern printed, assembled, and the fabric cut. I’m going to make the cropped view B first from a rose coloured cotton linen blend also from Blackbird fabrics. I’ll also make the longer view A eventually from an off-white chambray also from Blackbird. About a year ago, I made a big order during a sale from Blackbird to get me started and so much of the fabric was so nice, I was a bit afraid to cut into it. I’m really grateful I made the purchases now though because I have a very nice stash to sew from.
Olya shirt - Paper Theory Patterns
I’ve slowly been building up to an Olya - I read a few pattern reviews and am under the impression that the way the front yoke creates the arm seams can be a little tricky to sew. But I’ll have made three button ups, each a bit different, to skill-build to an Olya and I’m really excited to try it in a rust coloured twill fabric from that same big fabric order.
Rebel Jumpsuit - Daughter Judy
I used to love wearing jumpsuits but as I got older and especially after Covid, my body just didn’t fit standard sizes for joined tops and bottoms. I am absolutely going to be a different size on top from the bottom and so I’ve been thinking about making my own jumpsuit so I can grade between sizes. I’ve not really graded before so I think this will also be a good skill-builder. So I don’t fear ruining the fabric, I’m making this out of a navy cotton poplin from Fabricville, purchased during their Boxing Day sale. It’s still nice so it will produce a wearable toile, but not so fancy that I’m too scared to use it. I also bought extra just in case I make a cutting error.
Pomona Pants - Anna Allen
Yes, another pair of the Pomonas. I am still thinking about which view, wide or tapered, and which fabric. I have a few possible options in my stash and I’ll decide later about which fabric weight I want to use as well as which view.
Bisque Trousers - Vivian Shao Chen
I have been eyeing these for a while and I think I’ll make a linen pair for spring/summer. I don’t have a fabric in mind for this one so I’ll likely have to buy something specifically for these. The front pleats are interesting and I want to try again to fit elasticized pants before I get into trying to make hard (er) pants that aren’t entirely elasticized.
Monty Pants - Daughter Judy
I loved the tester pair that Alexandria Arnold (@alexandria_arnold) posted to Instagram and immediately decided these would be my first pair of hard (er) pants. I like that the fly at the front has an exposed zip and no top closure. I like the elasticized back since I’m still learning and don’t think I want to jump into a waistband just yet. I also love, love, love the shape of these pants, the length, and the pleats in the front. I bought some fabric from Fabricville to made a toile of these that will still be very wearable. It’s a navy/green cotton plaid fabric so I can also have fun pattern matching the front and side seams.
Okay, now we’re leaving the land of the ‘exact’ pattern and fabric plans and getting into the few projects I have where I still don’t know exactly what I want to make.
Sweatshirt
The patterns I have in mind for this are either the Wren (Daughter Judy) or the All Around Crew (Matchy Matchy) and I don’t have fabric for either option yet. I’d like to try color blocking and using my serger to make the sweatshirt - I also need a few sweatshirts just practically and I like the oversized fit and design details of both patterns.
Hard (est) pants
I haven’t decided yet on the pattern but continuing my somewhat scaffolded approach to pants this year, I want to conclude with a pair of jeans. I haven’t worn jeans in years. I dislike trying them on and I don’t like how the fly and button closure digs into me when I sit even though the back gapes open. I think it’s due to being short waisted and so if I can get far enough along on my sewing pants journey, I think making hardest pants will be very challenging and rewarding. Maybe I will finally have jeans I like to wear! Immediately, I’m thinking about the Brier pants (Daughter Judy) or the Dawn jeans (Megan Neilson) but like always, I’ll do a lot of research about fit and pattern drafting before deciding which pattern to make. For fabric, I think a bull denim is where I might be headed. But I reserve the right to change my mind.
Last - honorable mentions!
The list above I think is going to be really satisfying to sew this year but I do have other plans for maybe less interesting makes or makes that aren’t for a purpose (which is great). I’ll definitely be making more All Well Box Tops and Paper Theory LB Pullovers as well as trying out the Laurence tops by Vivian Shao Chen because these kinds of patterns are so easily customizable and they make really excellent basics. I’ll be making a few more matching sets for summer for sure - a full Swim Style Patterns Tamarama set since I already have that pattern and maybe the High Tide set from Matchy Matchy Sewing Club. I’ll also be trying to work out what I want to wear in the warmer months, especially when I’m hiking or sailing. Maybe the Leila Makes Topo Pants? I hate the heat and find dressing the summer to be very challenging.
To wrap up, thanks for reading! I’m so excited to follow other Make Nines this year and see the results, as well as to make my own!