Make Nine 2019

I've seen the #MakeNine challenge around on Instagram for a few years now, but I've never participated before this year. Usually I have waaayyy more than 9 projects that I want to accomplish in a year. And to be honest, I still do have more than 9 for 2019 as well. But the problem with having SO MANY ideas and plans is that it is SO EASY to get side tracked and bounce around from one thing to the next. Which is exactly what I do. So in any given year I do make a lot of things, but I also start and never finish a lot of things, and I often have projects that end up on my to-do list for years that I keep meaning to do.

Which is why I have decided to partake in the #MakeNine challenge this year!

1. Avocado dye - I am fascinated by the idea of creating my own fabric or yarn dye! And avocados happen to be delicious and also apparently create this beautiful blush color when you use it to dye things. Win win. This is one of those projects that has been on my mind for forever. I actually already have 4 pits waiting to be used. I wonder if the pits being old affect the color of the dye? The photo in my make nine grid is from an Etsy blog post which you can read here.

2. Yarn! - I have my very own antique spinning wheel, and I have yet to fully finish making yarn with it.

3. Fabric Produce Bags - Every time I go to the store I think about how I should just make my own produce bags so that I don't have to keep using the plastic ones. It seems like such a waste. I've got some tulle scraps picked out and ready to go. This is such a quick project that there is really no good excuse for not getting it done right away. The photo is from a Closet Case Files blog post.

4. The Kelly Anorak - Speaking of Closet Case Files... this is the year I finally make my Kelly Anorak! I got the pattern and kit for Christmas last year (as in 2017) and haven't actually touched it yet. To be fair, I spent most of 2018 going through major body size and shape changes due to pregnancy, so I intentionally put it aside for a while. I want to make sure that I will be able to wear the hell out of it, so I need to make sure my body size has somewhat stabilized! 6 months postpartum and I think I might finally be there. I'm still a little bit bigger than I was originally, but I'm ok with my jacket being a little bit big if I end up shrinking back down.

5. Wrap Skirt by Lila + June - I used this pattern to make my spider web skirt for Halloween, and I loved it so much that I decided that I need to make myself one that is a little more acceptable to wear year-round. It was a very quick and satisfying sew!

6. Blackwood Cardigan by Helen's Closet - I found a beautiful sweater knit fabric at the thrift store a few months ago, and couldn't resist. I think that the Blackwood Cardigan will be a perfect fit for it!

7. My Wedding Quilt - You know when you have one of those projects that has been lingering around for years and years? This is mine. I got married 5 years ago. And instead of a guest book, I had the idea to have a guest quilt. I had my mom (sorry mom) cut out a ton of quilt squares and triangles and then had people write messages on them at the wedding. I've worked on it, and maybe have the top of the quilt a quarter of the way done.... part of the problem is that I designed the pattern for the quilt so long ago that it doesn't seem all that exciting anymore haha. I have a feeling that I won't even like the finished project. But also, there is always a period of time during a long project when I really don't like it. Usually after I finish it, put it in time-out for a few weeks (or months), and come back to it I end up loving it. So I just need to push through and get this thing done! 

8. Joggers - This is my least fully formed make nine idea. I don't have a pattern or a fabric in mind yet. But between the cold, and the constantly rocking my son to sleep, I seem to be living in cozy clothing like sweatpants these days. So I could use a few more (for when he poosplodes all over me multiple times a day) and if I can make them look stylish, I won't even feel like a hot mess when I go out to the store in my PJs (a girl can dream).

9. Ultimate Scrap Pouf - Yet another Closet Case Files make. I plan to make this pouf entirely from scraps, as well as fill it with scraps! The only thing I'm not sure of yet is whether I will fill it with scraps that are unusable, or if I will use it as storage for scraps that I plan to use... we will see!
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I absolutely love making goals, and thinking about what sewing projects I want to accomplish. But I debated about creating a make nine this year because so much of my time is now spent being a mom that I'm worried I might get discouraged by goals that end up not being attainable. So, I've tried to be realistic with what I think I can accomplish for my make nine. I've included some projects that are quite small in order to balance out the larger more time intensive ones. And let's be honest, I fully expect to not actually finish my quilt. But I will at least be a hell of a lot further.

I love seeing what other people are planning on making! If you have a make nine goal, put a link in the comments so I can check it out!