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.

Comments

  1. I'm all for the selling crystals at Glastonbury look! The kimono is just fab, isn't it? I quite like the idea of one chucked on over a 1960s mod shift dress, your Modshoes and one of the fab necklaces Mr Robot bought you in India - combining all your faves in one outfit.
    That Liberty robot print is incredible! xxx

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    1. Heh, you'd probably love another of his complaints: "It's a bit Abigail's Party."

      Sooner or later my look will come together...

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  2. What a great challenge, and I'm sure you can do it, Mim! I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines. Love the retro space fabric! Can't wait to see what you'll use it for. I also like the sound of a kimono top and wide-legged trousers. Oh, and Mr. Robot is very rude indeed ;-) xxx

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    1. At the moment I just want to loaf around in soft things, so anything pyjama-like appeals to me.

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  3. Mim, of course you'll be able to do it. You'll be doing something you enjoy doing; 'making nice things to wear for yourself' and that's half the battle won.

    I love the look of all the materials and as for those kimonos - wow! Here's a suggestion for the tweed - what about a hip length waistcoat or as the they call it across the pond a 'vest'? Or even a cape? A tweed cape sounds good to me. You would probably have to line it wouldn't you which is not so good - I assume. I know next to nothing about sewing!

    Hope the weekend is going well.
    xxx

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    1. I think I'll start with a tweed skirt - I don't really wear capes as I don't like things that impede my hands. (I don't wear rings, and rarely wear bracelets.) So far all I've managed is a bit of knitting, but it's a start.

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  4. "Selling crystals in Glastonbury" is a great look. You should embrace that AND find yourself a vintage Thea Porter Khaftan.

    Skirts are easier sewing than tops if it makes you feel any better.

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    1. Yeah, and being cylindrical I'm hoping I just have to make smaller waist darts! Easier still...

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  5. Hi Mim, nice choices. Your Liberty fabric is gorgeous and those kimonos are just beautiful. Skirts dont take up half as much fabric as you think. I squeezed a Colette Mabel out of 0.8m and you wouldn't need much more to make them A-line. Nice to see you have your knitting mojo back as you make such lovely things. I don't think it's cheating to include garments you have already started, just good planning.😁 Nine is a good number as it is not even one a month. I would like to take part too but will have to see how work goes. Can't even find my sewing machine at the moment. Xx

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    1. Oh, that's interesting! I haven't really looked at how much fabric my pattern is asking for.

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  6. So much gorgeous inspiration, so little time it would seem!
    Gotta make some 'me' time to get these done, Mim.
    Perhaps your day wear will be Mid-century and you lounge wear Deco?
    xox

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    1. That sounds like a good idea - perhaps with the occasional kimono over shift dress.

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  7. This all sounds very doable! You are so practical too (I keep buying ridiculous patterns for evening dresses that I will probably never make). I have sewing ambitions too this year, I should devise my own 'make nine' pledge. I too need a little A-line mini, I will check out the fabric shop you mentioned. Good luck! Xx

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    1. Make nine is a good plan! And it'll probably be no challenge at all for you after completing your doctorate.

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  8. What a lovely lot of potential makes. Look forward to seeing all of these, they sound great.

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    1. Heh, I suspect the dream will be better than the reality!

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