2017 Make Nine – sewing plans for the new year

I don’t usually plan what I’m going to make for the year but I have bought many patterns over the past year, not to mention the scores of patterns that are already in my collection. So I decided to make a list of my #2017MakeNine, which was started by Rochelle of Lucky Lucille last year (check out her 2017 Make Nine here).

I’ve been going over some of the patterns in my sewing queue and trying to decide what my priorities are. It’s a balance between what I need now (more pants!) and what I’d like to make.

I’ve got fabric for five of the patterns in my 2017 Make Nine list. You’d think that having fabric makes you more likely to make something but that’s not always the case. Here’s what the patterns look like.

And here’s a bit more about my 2017 Make Nine patterns.

1. Sew House Seven Toaster Sweater – I bought this pattern at Stonemountain & Daughter Fabrics soon after its release and got some lovely violet wool double-knit fabric on sale there, too. I plan on making version 1, which has the mock turtleneck. I traced my pattern pieces several weeks ago. Now I’m making a mock-up using some red fleece. I don’t want to cut my wool until I’m absolutely sure about the fit.
2. I got this cute Vogue pattern (V8840, out of print) at a Bay Area Sewists pattern swap. I like both tops and the pants, which have a slight flare. The fabric on the model in the top photo is wacky. The drawing on the pattern is much nicer and gives you a better idea of what it looks like.  I just discovered that the previous owner cut size 12. Oops – too small for me. (Note to self: Look inside the pattern envelope before you take it.) Of course, I went online buy a copy on eBay for $11. Do you do that? Hunt down out-of-print patterns online when you can’t find one in your size or it’s sold out?
3. I’ve been looking for a pattern to make a long cardigan because I’ve had some 70-inch wide knit fabric just sitting in my stash waiting to be made into something. I got the fabric for $1/yard a few years ago from the FIDM Scholarship Store in Los Angeles. The proceeds go to scholarships for students. Someone (I forget who) on Instagram suggested the Megan Longline Cardigan Pattern by Tessuti so I bought the PDF.
4. Ever since I saw Libby’s beautiful Deer & Doe Fumeterre skirt, I wanted to make one. I love long skirts. We follow each other on Instagram  and met in person earlier this year when she was in the Bay Area. She was wearing her Fumeterre. (She’s @liblib and I’m @csews on IG.)
5. I bought two different denim fabrics at Mood Fabrics on my most recent trip to NYC to make some jeans. You can see the fabric in this post. At least one pair will be trouser jeans, using this Butterick 5682. I need to replace the RTW trouser jeans I’ve worn to death. Maybe I can copy my old pair one of these days.
6. I got this Jalie 3248 cardigan pattern back when Pattern Review held its sewing event in San Francisco in 2013. It’s been buried in my pattern stash. When I bought it, I had only sewn about two knit tops on my sewing machine so I was wary about making it. I was intimidated by the recommended fabric note to use a knit with “40% stretch across the grain and 20% in the length.” I didn’t have a serger back then and I didn’t know much about the stretch of a fabric. That doesn’t bother me now so I’m more than ready to make this pattern. I like the pockets and it has 27 sizes (!) from girls to plus sizes. I could make versions for my nieces.
7. I have a pair of RTW pants that are similar to these sailor pants but they are getting a little too frayed to wear in public. I wore them all the time. It seems that all my favorite pants need to be replaced. Thus my dire need for more pants. When I saw this Sandra Betzina Vogue pattern (V1464), I had to get it. It was released this fall. I bought some designer bottom-weight black fabric on sale at Stonemountain this summer. One of these pieces will be a pair of pants.
8. I got this Butterick pattern (B5893) when there was a $1.99 sale last month. I wanted a super easy pants pattern. You can’t get any easier than an elastic-waist pair of pants.
9. I’ve had the Sewaholic Robson trench coat pattern (#9) for at least two years, maybe more. In 2014 I bought some Michael Kors fabric for this coat in Seattle at District Fabric. I confess that I’ve set it aside because I remember reading a post by someone who said it took forever to trace the pattern pieces because there were so many pieces. Maybe I’ll just buy a second copy and save myself the hours of tracing. Erin of Seamstress Erin, underlined her Robson,which is a great idea. I would really like a trench coat which is perfect for Bay Area weather.

I also like vintage and out-of-print patterns. So I made another 2017 Make Nine for those patterns, which include dresses, hats, pants, and skirts. I got the vintage Vogue hat pattern from Nettie of Sown Brooklyn. She very kindly gifted it to me after she posted it on Instagram and I commented that I loved it. Ah, the generosity of sewcialists is boundless! Thank you, Wanette!

Of these patterns, the only one in print is the Butterick reissue from 1961 (B6318), part of the company’s “Retro” line. I got the cloche sun hat pattern released by the Vintage Pattern Lending Library from Lacis in Berkeley. I looked on the VPLL site to see if it was still available but I didn’t find it there. You may be able to find a copy at Lacis. Call the retail store (510/843-7290) or search their online catalog here (on the left side of the page, under the heading “Tools & Materials,” click on the link “Costume” and then you’ll see “Patterns” and a list of pattern companies.)

I love the tie-waist of the Butterick dress. Maybe I’ll make it for the Bay Area Sewists’ Frocktails event in February.

I just realized that I left off the Named Mimosa Culottes. I’m making a second muslin and hope to get that underway as well. I’ve already got fabric for it.

I don’t think I’ll make everything because new patterns are always being released and I get easily distracted. The pattern queue is always changing.

What’s in your 2017 Make Nine?