Hi, guys! Hope you’re having a great day! I’ve been sick all week and haven’t left the house for any significant amount of time in four days, but the upshot is that I’ve had plenty of time to catch up on my blogroll and think through sewing plans for 2016! I saw Rochelle’s plan to make nine garments from new-to-her patterns, and thought it would be fun to play along! I already posted this photo to Instagram, but I totally failed to tag the pattern designers (bad at internetz), so I thought I’d do a link roundup here on the blog!
OK, from left to right, starting with the top row, here are the patterns I’m hoping to make in 2016:
1.) Grainline Studio Cascade Duffle Coat
2.) République du Chiffon Veste Françoise (only available in French at this time, but there’s a step-by-step photo tutorial here)
3.) République du Chiffon Dominique Jumpsuit (English pattern available!)
4.) Named Clothing Wenona Shirt Dress
5.) Papercut Patterns Clover Dress
7.) République du Chiffon Robe Madeleine (only available in French at this time)
8.) Named Clothing Kielo Wrap Dress
Now, because I am a terrible spendthrift and a hoarder, I already have all of these patterns with the exception of the Watson bra. I am going to try VERY HARD not to buy new patterns in 2016… I don’t have any room for them and I have so many already that I’d love to sew! But, I often get distracted by impulse projects and end up with no time to sew things that I really want to wear! So I’m making this list as a way to prioritize these patterns.
Also, it’s a big goal this year to sew with stash fabric. I’ve struggled since I began sewing with over-purchasing fabric– I just love fabric so much, and I love to meet people in the Garment District! But 2 yards here and 2 yards there adds up, so I need to focus on sewing, not buying! So, my goal is to sew 7 out of the 9 patterns with fabric from my stash (I’ll have to purchase stuff to make the Watson bra, and I’ll give myself a pass on one other project).
How about you guys? Have you made any 2016 sewing plans? Check out the hashtag #2016MakeNine to spy on other folks’ plans and get some inspiration! Also, anyone else have a pattern hoarding problem? Am I the only one that somehow manages to not make the garments they most need or want in their wardrobe?
Ginger Makes... 
My hoarding tendencies came out in full force when I started sewing! but I like to think most crafters are collectors 🙂 Patterns are so easy to collect because they don’t take up as much room as fabric!! Plus new pattern designers are popping up and I love their designs and want to support them.
I’m also on a stash building ban and have a list of my current unmade patterns to start with, mostly separates, like the Sew Over It Anderson blouse and the Inari Tee already matched up with fabric from the stash. Good luck with stash busting 🙂
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Ooh, I’m excited to see your Anderson blouse! It’s so glamorous! I have a similar McCall’s pattern but don’t have anything in my stash that works (the WS of the fabric is visible, the way it wraps). I also got the Inari tee when it went on sale during the Named advent calendar… oh dear, will this addiction ever end???
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Hahaha snap! I got the Inari in that sale too!! but getting patterns in a sale saves us money……
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It’s all about the savings! 😀
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Ohh, I’m right there with you on, 2, 3, 4, & 7 though I don’t have any of the latest RdC. Did make 3 since last time you mentioned it and love it (made some snafu with the sizing but was able to save and wore it a ton before the latest cool down, works well over a turtleneck, too!). I’ve also made 6, 8 & 9 but none are worn very often. The Kielo I should try again shorter and with the new sleeves, the Watson has it’s purpose but hasn’t become my go to. The Sutton I didn’t like much, bad fabric choice for the muslin but I was turned off to the style. Good luck you always pick patterns I’m excited about so I’ll be eager to see your makes.
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Ooh, you made the jumpsuit?! How fun! What fabric did you use??
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A sort of brushed shirting in a one inch check but fairly uniform shades so it reads blue. This was a perfect fabric for it but it’s too light for winter, so I haven’t worn it in a bit. I ended up adding an extra panel at the bottom of the legs, I’m short so didn’t think it would be cropped on me but it was. I wanted just a little extra and the option to roll the cuffs shorter. Here: https://www.kollabora.com/projects/combinaison-dominique
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Ooh, that is so cute!!!
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Are you the only one with a fabric hoarding problem? Are you kidding? I wonder if there is someone who does NOT have a fabric hoarding problem. (Welll, I know there are these people, but I have never met one in person, so there still is a chance they don’t really exist 😉 ).
Anyways, I have self-imposed a stash-diet until Easter (but I did of course go and buy more fabric last week, because that was still 2015 and that didn’t count…)
At least I very rarely buy patterns, but I am a sucker for sewing magazines, so the collection grows and grows. Well, it’s a harmless hobby, my husband keeps saying 🙂
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HAHA! It is a harmless hobby– that’s a good perspective! I sort of feel like fabric is eating up my apartment, so my goal is to sew until my stash fits into its proper storage receptacles. But it’s a losing battle, isn’t it?
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It is insulation for my home, to keep my loved ones warm.
I don’t think the loved ones are buying that story, but it’s the one I’m going with.
Since the bra takes so little in the way of fabric, purchasing the pattern is perfectly righteous. So sayeth we all!
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Teeheehee! I like the way you think!
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Great idea! I totally lost my mind in the named advent sale and bought 5 patterns (shhhh). I really need to make them up ASAP to justify that splurge, but I would say that on the whole I’m pretty good at making patterns up. Fabric on the other hand is out of control. A good friend rescued two large boxes of nice jersey from being binned and sent it to me, so it has almst doubled my stash. I need to sew t-shirts like they’re going out of fashion so no stash building for me for a while
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Ooh, I can’t wait to see what you make! I bought the Inari dress and I bought the Kielo back when it was on sale with the new long-sleeved piece. And now, here I am, pondering the Asaka kimono as it seems like a good gift for a friend… oy! Will we ever behave ourselves? But, free jersey is quite the windfall! I’m sure the family will be happy recipients of many tees thanks to your friend! 🙂
I’m sitting here staring at the Cascade pattern and wishing for a burst of energy to really dig into it. I’ve been thoroughly defeated by this never-ending cold! Inspire me, Marilla! 🙂
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Well after eagerly cutting out my Harriet lumber jacket I then left it in a pile for a few days. Last night I sewed one seam on it before bed and I think that has already helped with my motivation. That’s my advice, just do one little bit of your coat at a time and then maybe you’ll summon the energy to really get stuck in 😉
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That’s a good call! I’ve been put off by the need for a muslin and the million and one pieces! But I’m gonna cut a muslin today and just get into it!
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I just can’t seem to build up an epic stash! It is growing steadily, but because it’s mostly knits, I churn through it pretty fast. Woe is me! 😉 I love your plans for the new year sewing… nice that I can see items for a casual day, a night out, and under and over clothes!
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You’re such a speedy sewer– it’s no wonder you can’t keep a stash around! You just need to come down here over the summer and get to work on my stash!
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I have a huge fabric stash that really needs to be cut down, but buying new fabric is so much more fun than sorting through boxes of old stuff haha! Looking forward to seeing how you plans turn out for the year 🙂
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I second that emotion! I’ve actually been putting off a project because I stored my “out of season” stash in a chest in my husband’s office, but he stacked about 100 action figures from his collection on top of it! It’s definitely easier to buy something new than to move all the toys and then move them back! 🙂
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I am one of those rare birds that barely has a fabric stash. Whenever I do buy several fabrics at once, I start to feel pannicky until I can get through them… Clearly I’m in the minority though! I do stash patterns when I can get them in Big4 sales, but if it’s a pdf I typically don’t buy it until I’m ready to sew. I figure it’s not going any where, so no need to shell out the cash! I do love the “make 9” idea, may have to join in on that one.
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That is so admirable! It’s my goal to get closer to your style and just pick up fabric when I’m ready to sew. It must feel so nice to not have all that clutter in your house!
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I don’t have a fabric stach. I don’t think that I have ever had more than 10 uncut pieces of fabric! I found the only negative side out last week. I really wanted to sew something but my only 3 pieces that I had left where summer fabrics. Pair that with closed shops between Chrismas and New years and it gets rather frustrating. (The problem is already solved, yesterday I bought 6 new pieces) I love the idea to make 9 new patterns. But I do have a subscription to a sewing magazine so I will probably change my mind next month when the new edition arrives. 🙂
I like your pattern selection a lot. I just bought the sutton blouse myself
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Oh man, that sounds nice except for the holiday problem! I’m glad you were able to find some new fabrics!
Which magazine do you subscribe to?
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I subscribe to La Maison Victor it is a Belgian sewing magazine. I love that their designs are very wearable and trendy, a lot nicer then your average burda or knipmode. http://www.lamaisonvictor.com/nl this is their website if you want to have a look
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Ooh, I love these styles! They’re so current and cute!
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Ooh! Some lovely patterns there. Look forward to seeing them made up!
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I’m hoping I can get through the list! I really want to wear all of these!
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I do love this idea. if I weren’t about to start on a mega reno (which will actually remove my sewing room from my house and then rebuild it), I’d be on a plan like this…
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Ooh, but that sounds awesome! I hope you’ll share before and after pics!!
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Perfect Plan – nice pieces that you will wear ALL the time!
PS wish someone would do a sew-along for that République du Chiffon jacket…
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If other folks are interested I’d be happy to do a sewalong. But, like I said, there’s a step-by-step photo tutorial on their blog that, while in French, shows everything pictorially, so that’s a great start.
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Ginger, you make me laugh. Toys on your stash..? Ha! I too, have a stash(es) on top of my stash(es) which totally justifies my new purchases. Happy new year to you.
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Hahaha! “I need more fabric- my fabric is buried under fabric!”
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I just got a huge gift of fabric and have plenty in my coffers already! I am super excited about planning my makes for the year. I’m newly Inspired to try a couple on this list.
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Glad to know I’m not the only one living with piles of fabric! Have fun planning your projects!
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I has to be over 50lbs! But I love it all! I am actually working on it now-Thanks!
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Great plan! Definitely resonating with the sewing clothes I want to wear and sewing the stash! I’d also like to do a lot of DIY home improvements too – a quilt is definitely on my wish list!
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Ooh, I’m so excited that you’re making a quilt! I bet you’ll enjoy it!
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Imagine if there were pattern sharing groups, or libraries, and you only had to trace the pattern (between friends, of course, as to not breach any copyrights). You just need a pattern buying partner-in-crime.
AND if you’re part of a (book) library, you can justify spending more money on patterns because you’re not spending them on books. Of course.
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I should really be looking for sewing books at the library! That’s a great idea!
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Ooh…I love your choices. I like the jumpsuit especially. My stash is mostly small pieces that I struggle to use in garment sewing. Yet I keep them just in case or from sentiment as a lot came from my mums patchwork hoard.
I have a few unused patterns too. You are inspiring me to try and form a plan….
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Do you do any patchwork yourself? I find it so hard to figure out other ways to use small pieces. And yet they pile up because I don’t want to throw them out! Ack!
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Oh yeah I’m a terrible pattern and fabric hoarder. I think I bought 11 new patterns in the Black Friday sales and we don’t even know what that is in Australia! I blame the internets of course! I’ve got mega 2016 plans with mostly stash so I just need to grow some willpower. Your plans look fun.
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Haha! Oh no, you’re part of the Black Friday madness! There were some very tempting sales- luckily I had family in town to distract me from shopping! 🙂 I’m excited to see what you make!
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Wooot! Love all of these. And nine, NINE seems so doable!! Looking forward to seeing the results…oh and P.S but you might have someone extra to join you in trips to the garment district circa Aug 16, so don’t use up your 2 fabrics credits before then. Or there will be problems. Okay, might be problems. x
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Hooray!!! I’m so excited!!!!!!!!!
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I have similar goals. No buy more patterns. Also. I Want Start Making My Own Patterns. Good luck girl! This wil be a interesting year in the sewing blogs.
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Ooh, making your own patterns? That’s so exciting! Good luck!!
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These are going to be awesome!! I feel your struggle with fabric purchasing. I make endless plans and buy fabrics for projects that never come to be! I worked it out and even if I sewed one thing a week I could go the whole year without needing more fabric…yikes!! Baby steps though, right? I am going to make an effort to use my stash this year too. Good luck!!
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I’m in the exact same boat… I have something like 200 yards of fabric!!!! Horrible!! So it will be a good challenge to use up things that we already have, won’t it?
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That plaid coat is so cute and so You. Hope you’re feeling better, my little sicko!!
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Thank you my friend! I’m still a phlegm-y disaster… ew! But I’m sure I’ll be better soon! 🙂
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Your plans sounds awesome! We have three in common – Sutton, Kielo and Watson are all on my to sew list for the year, along with Nettie, jeans, men’s Hudsons, some trousers… We’ll see how much I get thru. There just isn’t enough time!
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I hear you– we need some sort of magical time-creator machine!! But I hope you are able to find some time to sew at least some of these! It’s a great list!
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I love your choices for 2016 and cannot look forward to seeing your results!
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Thank you! 😀
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Hey, I have a wonderful stash and feel no guilt at all for having it. It is so joyful to be able to pick something for a new project and rearrange things. I don’t want to shrink it down, but just keep it alive, using some pieces and adding new ones. This being said, I can imagine how tempting it must be to live close to NYC garment district! Good luck with your MAKE 9 plan. Love your board and can’t wait to see your awesome makes!
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I love the way you phrased it- keeping it alive! It’s so nice to have a beautiful stash to pull from! I hope you have a very happy year of sewing in 2016! 🙂
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Fabulous plan! I’m trying to work through my (much smaller) stash too, but quite a lot of it is only suitable for costumes rather than everyday clothing. And everyday clothing is what I actually need. Life’s so hard!
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But it’s so much more fun to sew costumes! 🙂 Crossing my fingers you can find creative ways to make your stash work for you!
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Love these choices Sonja, they’re actually looking pretty similar to mine!
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Ooh, that’s exciting! I’d love to see your take on the Kielo dress, in particular!
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This is the first idea that I actually want to do; love it! Where is my notepad… 🙂
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Hooray! I hope you’ll share a list! 🙂
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Well, I finally joined Instagram this weekend and this is my first hash tag. 🙂 Hopefully I make some of the things! I love seeing what everyone has planned!
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Yay! I’ll look for you on IG!
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Ooh, can’t wait to see your RdC Madeleine dress, thats on my list too! I’m completely in love with it, have fabric all picked out and ready, but I’m waiting for the pattern to be released in English. I’m not sure my high school French would cope…
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I started a wearable muslin, but it’s turned out quite unwearable thanks to my mystery fabric that unraveled faster than I could sew! But it is a really lovely style and I’m hoping to find some time to sew up a real version soon! Honestly, I bet you could sew it even without instructions. It’s really straightforward. I’d be happy to help you with any confusing bits! 🙂
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Thanks Sonja, maybe I’ll give into temptation and just buy it!
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I usually only buy fabric when I have a plan, so you’d think I would have zero stash. Compared to some, it is pretty small. However. My stash is getting stashier, but while there are a few pieces in there that I acquired without a plan and a few (well, quite a few) are I-have-a-plan-for-this-but-I’m-lazy-and-have-not-yet-sewn-it-up pieces, most of it is stuff left-over from past projects because I always buy too much. What am I supposed to do with an extra yard of glen plaid suiting?
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A yard of glen plaid suiting might make an interesting corset, newsboy cap, pencil skirt, or a stuffed toy scottie dog…. Actually, I’d like to see what you do make. 🙂
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Me too! I was thinking a little vest could be cute!
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Your plans for the year are awesome–I hope you get lots of them done! I’ve got lingerie and outerwear on my big list for the year too, along with jeans and shirts and husband stuff. Now I just need more hours in a day, or several weeks of paid vacation time! 😉
And I feel your pain on the issue of having a big fabric stash–all my fabric lives in the spare bedroom and it is EVERYWHERE. I eventually ran out of enclosed storage space, gave up, and just started folding it neatly on top of the dresser and bed, resigned to a fabric-bombed guest room. (And did that stop me from buying more fabric in December? NOPE.) My goal for 2016 is to do better.
Step 1: unsubscribing from all fabric email lists. =/
Step 2: Figure out what is hidden in which spot(s).
Step 3: Sew some sh*t.
Easier said than done, I’m sure.
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Oh man… I need to follow this three-step plan. Unfortunately every time I sit down to sew something, I end up with a big pile of stuff shuffled around and nothing accomplished! My sewing space is a total disaster right now and it’s really hard to deal with! But cleaning isn’t a possibility! 😉
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Sorry you’ve been feeling sick! That’s definitely going around. …and around and around again! Uhg!
I have quite a few of the patterns on your list (and about a bazillion more that never made it to my 9) so I’m extra excited to see how your versions turn out! Thanks for playing along and sharing the hashtag 🙂 🙂
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I’m so looking forward to your garments coming to life! Thanks for inspiring this project- it was so fun to make a list!
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I’ve been thinking about the Wenona Shirt Dress for a long, long time. I can’t wait to see your version.
Last year we’ve moved to a new country and only brought with me a few patterns and my pattern making books and it felt good to have less choice and think really hard before I buy new patterns. Sometimes less choice = more creativity.
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I know what you mean, actually! It’s easy to get overwhelmed by choice. I somehow missed that you’d moved! I hope you’re settling in well and that everything went smoothly!
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This list looks great! I too have way too many patterns and way too much fabric! But half the fun of sewing is the planning and dreaming, right? And there are just so many lovely designers out there waiting to tempt us with their amazing work, and not to mention you lovely fabric vendors. 😃 I probably have a lifetime supply of fabric, but I love it so much! I’m excited to see your makes this year! Also I hope you are feeling better! This cold was a doozy!
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I totally agree! Planning and dreaming is the best part, really! I really want to actually use some of the pretties in my stash- they’re too cool to live shoved in a dresser! And I’m feeling SO much better- thanks for asking! Hope you are feeling better, too! Stupid winter!
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I have the same relationship with fabric that I do with books – I can’t seem to use the stuff I already have, but at the same time for some reason can’t resist buying even more! There’s just something about new fabric (and new books, too) that’s hard to resist.
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I’m glad I’m not the only one! And oh man, I have a big old pile of unread books… it’s just so hard to resist picking up a new one! The promise and possibility is just so tempting!
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I think learning to make a bra would be so rewarding… All of these have caught my eye more than once! Do it!
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I’ve been meaning to come up with a ‘make 9’, but I definitely hoard patterns so I think I might struggle to limit it to 9! Which is stupid because I don’t wear that many different silhouettes, so I should really have everything I need to make my dream wardrobe. But then people release shiny new patterns and I’m like a magpie!
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Oh dear, you’ve said it- I really wear the same silhouettes over and over (skinny jeans + buttondown or loose sweater in the winter, shapeless short dresses in the summer) so I don’t know why I buy so many patterns! It’s terrible! I’m glad I’m not the only one, though. 🙂
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Lovely print and a great fit. This pattern making is really pretty and flattering on. I hope to make more in the future based off this particular pattern
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