I am way better at keeping up with things on Instagram and about a week ago I saw quite a lot of people posting their top nine photos for the year. I jumped right on that and enjoyed seeing what my top 9 photos were and seeing what other Sewists shared. Mine consisted of family, sewing and me! (Oh, and my messy stash pile- guess I got a lot of likes on that one!)
My nine most like IG photos for 2015
Then Rochelle from Lucky Lucille started the #2016makenine hashtag and well, I had to join in on that too! It gave me a chance to mull over some of the items I would like to make for myself during the year and am quite pleased with what I came up with!
As you know most of my sewing usually tends to be for my girls. I have also spent the last month making men’s shirts for my son and brother and a few friends (2 Walking Dead, One Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, 1 StarWars and 1 Minions shirt,) but I would really like to add to my own wardrobe and here is what I came up with!
The Closet Case Files Carolyn Pj’s… These are a MUST for me this year. I made my cousin a pair for her birthday last year and loved making them. I used bright pink minnie mouse cotton with black piping. They turned out perfect if I do say so myself and I intended to make myself a pair or two but did not get to them. This year- I will. I already have a creamy pink striped stain charmuese fabric for one pair and some Dr. Who fabric for a second pair. Can I just say I am thrilled I can find Dr Who fabric now? A year ago there was nothing out there! Now I have enough to make Holly a dress, myself a pair of PJ’s and Holly and I both a quilt. Tardis Jammies? Need I say more?
Minnie Mouse Carolyn Pjs
The Sewaholic Thurlows– I have had these on my list for a few years but have not felt up to the pants challenge. I saw these were on quite a few Sewists #2016makenine list so maybe we can all get together virtually and struggle through it together? I am all up for a Thurlow-Thon. 😉
For some odd reason I have a thing for outerwear. I have many jacket and coat patterns I want to make! But I don’t live where there is snow so how many jackets do I need? I thought this would fit the bill though so I plan to make the George and Ginger Keeping it Classy cape. A cape! I have wanted a cape for years. I once had a long grey wool one half finished- way back in the mid 90’s. I wish I still had that UFO (for the grey wool) but ah well. I will have to choose my fabric and timing wisely. Living in Texas means at least half the year is hot and humid so I will have no use for a cape more during those months. Right now we are in the 40’s and 50’s though and I sure could use a little warmth!
The McCalls pattern in the middle row is one of my favorite new patterns from the Big 4. I love everything about it! I figure one in a lighter weight Khaki or Chambray with those 3/4 sleeves will be a perfect addition to my wardrobe and one I can wear more often thanks to those shorter sleeves and the use of a cotton fabric. Take a look- there is also a gorgeous one in lace! Pretty cool how you can make two totally different garments just by using a different fabric!
The Jasper sweatshirt by Paprika Patterns. Love this sweatshirt/ sweater/ sweater dress! I tested one when it was released but failed on the pockets. Despite that failure I wear my pocketless one all the time. It is SO comfy and since it is already traced and fitted I feel like I need a second ASAP. I have fabric for a new one and this time I WILL succeed on those welt pockets!
The Burda suit in silver– There is something about this suit that calls to me. Do I have use for a suit? Well, I do not know yet! Possibly? I just know I love the lines of the jacket and the slacks. I guess when the time comes I will decide on the type of fabric and whether or not the jacket is necessary!
Greenstyle Sundance Jacket
The Greenstyle Sundance jacket. OMG… I LOVE this jacket. If you have never seen it the lines are amazing and it is definitely worth checking out. I have a purple Scuba knit I bought a long while back because I wanted to see what all the excitement was about! I got it on a super sale at Fabric Mart Fabrics not really knowing what I was going to do with it. Well, now I know!
The Megan Nielsen Culottes is another pattern I have had for a while. I like the idea of culottes! I will probably go super simple and make myself a black pair from a nice challis. I love the flow of challis!
Last but not least (and these are in NO specific order) is the Sewaholic Cordova jacket. Yeah- another jacket. But I really do not have ANY in my closet and every girl needs a few right? I will hopefully be able to find something in my stash for this. I am trying not to buy any fabric for two reasons. One- I have 7 containers of fabric and I would like to narrow it down to 3 by the end of the year (I am well aware this is a HUGE goal!) and Two- well I AM unemployed at the moment!
That concludes my Nine for 2016. And in between all these great makes I will be making myself a few more Renfrews (I have 7 so far), my daughters some dresses and PJ’s, my son a shirt or two (pacman and craft beer shirts) and a few quilts. Oh, and whatever else I fall in love with during 2016! I can pretty much guarantee that will happen!
What kind of sewing plans do you have for the coming year? Do you like to make plans or just wing it as the year goes along?! I have to confess I like to do both. Plans are good- and I will be interested to see how many of these I complete during the year. But the one thing I DO know is… “The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray…” (Robert Burns) and I am no exception to that!
Cheers to a productive year. Let’s sew like the wind!!
~Laurie
~Watching Murdoch Mysteries
PS. Just completed my first make of 2016… A SWEET baby dress for one of my fave cousins and his baby. He is a Seahawks fan. I am NOT… but for him I allowed some Seahawk fabric in my home!
Sew Exhausted 
You can never have too many jackets! Even in the hot weather you will need them just because people in Texas looove to run the AC at meat locker temperatures. Honestly, I get tired of having to carry a jacket or cardigan around all year.
I’ve made the culottes and I have the Cordova jacket on my list to make eventually. Can’t wait to see what you do with them!
Enjoy Murdoch! Such a fun show! George is my favorite. =)
Thanks for pointing that out Brooke and you are so right! My brother and I go watch football at a Pizza place on Sundays and it is FREEZING in there. I learned to take a sweater even if it was 80 out! 😀 George is a sweetie!
Those are some sharp jackets–I do like the Greenstyle one! I like your idea of black challis culottes; I think culottes definitely look best in a drapey fabric like that and black ones would sure be useful.
I used to be a spontaneous type of sewer (new pattern! I’m in love!), but I’m getting more into making plans these days, at least for the short term. It helps me keep track of all my ideas, anyway, even if only some of them get made.
I think I am a cross between the two- I like to have plans but I am always willing to deviate if something exciting comes my way. Plus, I have noticed that sometimes I have a pattern I want to make and a definite idea of the type of fabric I want but I can’t find it. So frustrating! I hope to accomplish all 9 of those this year- I have a whoe year so it should be doable! (Now I am off to look at all the new patterns that have been released! lol)
I’m a bit rubbish at IG and forget to look at it, but then I remember and soon loose as hour! Some great makes and looking forward to reading your posts in 2016 😀
IG seems to work with me… I have a few minutes to catch up and that is where I go. When I wake up in the morning I can lie there a few minutes and catch up again. Same thing at night. Need my IG fix once I am all tucked in!
PS lovely the crazy but very cute dress!!
It is pretty crazy! I wanted to break up the football fabric and make it more girly so I added the two contrasting fabrics. I am pleased with it though!
I really enjoyed reading your to-sew list for this year. I hadn’t paid attention to the Sewaholic jacket before but it looks fantastic. Happy sewing!
I love the Cordova jacket… and since I am pear shaped the Sewaholic patterns work well for me. 😀
The Thurlows really aren’t that scary, once you get the fit down. I had a little trouble with the welt pockets at first, but once I read the directions correctly, it was a pretty quick sew after that. Good luck with your 2016 plans!
Loving your plans! (Seriously, how did I miss that AMAZING McCall jacket pattern when it came out? I NEED IT.)
I would say not to worry about maybe not sticking to what you’ve laid out–I find that it helps get my creativity going to just make a bunch of sewing plans, even if I change my mind or never get around to them. =)
That was what I thought when I saw that McCalls… I NEED it! And I am going to make it! I think I will get to most of the things on this list- and you are right about plans! Definitely helps the creativity!
I went straight to the link from your post, saw that McCall patterns were all on sale, and bought it, LOL! And turns out I overlooked it because the sample was ridiculous and the hood was down in the photo–WTH, McCall’s?!? Can’t wait to see your version!
I totally agree- I was attracted to the image I used… Not what they used and I would have overlooked it as well! Probably did until I spotted the Khaki one! Silly McCalls!
You’ve got lovely picks there! Looking forward to seeing them made up in 2016!
Thanks Linda! Can’t decide on which one to start first!