2019 Make Nine

This isn’t a New Year’s resolution! It’s not, honestly – though it will tie in to some of the things I have resolved to do in 2019, namely ‘knit and sew more nice things for myself’ and ‘have phone-free Sundays’ (because it’s easier to make things when I’m not being distracted by Discord/Twitter). Rochelle of Lucky Lucille started the ‘Make Nine’ challenge and I’ve decided to take part this year because even I can make nine things, right?

I’m trying to keep my nine fairly flexible, because plans are subject to change and I might suddenly discover I want to make something completely different. And the first one’s a bit cheaty, but there you go…

1: ‘Clever with colour’ jacket

The back and three-quarters of the fronts are done, but I’ve still got the sleeves and bobbly edging to do. I can do this, right?

2: The Louisa Harding cardi I have yarn for
Only had the yarn for about eight years, nothing to see here, move along… To be honest, I’m not sure if my style hasn’t shifted so far I should make something else, but I’ve got the yarn and it’s a pretty pattern.

3: Colette Sorbetto

I have the fabric – fab Liberty Tana Lawn covered in retro space rockets – and bias tape. What’s stopping me? Exactly.

4: Simplicity 8246 skirt

I’ve made the top. The skirt’s the next step to having basic patterns that I can make in all sorts of exciting fabrics.

5: A-line miniskirt

A 60s essential, and the mod repro brands don’t seem to cater to fat lasses. I'm hoping I have enough of the blue fern-pattern or dogtooth check crimplene that I bought from Gertie Gusset's Vintage to make at least one of these. (Dammit and now I've looked at the shop again and want more fabric. That would make Mr Robot frown.)

6: A kimono top
Don’t need one. Want one. Something to make the most of a luxurious fabric, to summon my inner Miss Fisher/Mrs Bradley. Liberty has amazing deco-patterned silk devoré in the sale, and if I weren’t post-Christmas skint I’d treat myself.

7: A tunic
Round-necked, long-sleeved and straight.

8: Wide-legged trousers
To match (or at least be wearable with) the tunic.

9: Something in tweed
I love tweed. No idea what I want to make from it, I just know I really want to work with some. If the trousers work well, or the skirts, they’d be the ideal choices. Let’s see, eh?

Choices 6 to 8 are in that deco zone, aren’t they? I thought I'd left it behind but a piece of my heart will always belong to the Jazz Age. Also veering close to hippie, and to my secret love, Tolkienesque elves. Not my usual late midcentury style, at any rate. Let’s hope I don’t experience another style shift and render my existing wardrobe redundant or, as Mr Robot’s prone to telling me, I look like I should be selling crystals in Glastonbury. (He’s so rude.) But if I’m going to spend time making things, I’m going to make things I really want to wear.

Looking at that list, it actually feels possible. None of it’s especially complicated. Most of it will involve building up and building on skills I already have.

2019, bring it on.