SEWING Articles 2 min read

A Plan for 2023: The Make Nine Sewing Challenge

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Over the past four years, I have participated in the Make Nine challenge, and I’m going to do it again in 2023! The challenge was created in 2015 by Rochelle at Home Row Handcraft, and it quickly spread throughout arts and crafts communities. The project is a way of creating intentionally, thinking about each project and what it will bring you in terms of skills, challenge, usefulness, and joy. Rochelle has a worksheet download on her blog, which is helpful when choosing and planning your projects.

I have had varying degrees of success with this challenge, and to be honest, I don’t think I have ever actually made all nine of my planned makes. But I’m okay with that. I mean, some years are busier than others, right? Life happens, plans change, new patterns and fabrics are released, and I like to keep it flexible. I participate because I love the exercise of researching nine projects that get my sewjo flowing and kindle my excitement for a new year of sewing and creating. So, without further ado, here are my Make Nine Challenge projects for 2023.

1. New slippers for myself. I purchased a kit for the Cloud Slippers from Fancy Tiger Crafts, shown below, and I wrapped it up and gifted it to myself for Christmas. They will probably be my first make of the year.

2. Jeans with embroidered back pockets. I haven’t committed to a pattern yet, although I love the Ari Jeans Pattern By FashionWanderer on Etsy, shown below. I already have the denim and the jeans hardware in my stash.

3. A wireless bra. Over the past few years, I have decided that wires no longer work for me, and now I’m focusing on comfort. I’m considering the Koma Wireless Bra from LilypaDesigns, shown below.

Sadie's nine projects for her Make Nine challenge

4. I am really interested in zero-waste patterns, and the ZW Tier Dress from Birgitta Helmersson looks like a good one to test the concept.

5. A bag that features fringe. The Paloma bag from Sallie Tomato has been on my list since its introduction; I have the kit and everything. I’m all about that fringe!

6. I am itching to stitch up the Tallulah Top by Fibre Mood. The peekaboo back and the lantern sleeves are so fun.

7. A quilted wall hanging of some sort has been on my list for the last two years. I have an ugly electrical box in the hallway I want to cover, and I hope 2023 is the year I make this happen! I’m loving the modern vibe of the Desert Quilt pattern from our sister site, Quilting Daily.

8. When I saw the Aims Top pattern that Seamwork released last year, it immediately went on my to-sew list. It’s such a versatile top, and I can imagine it in all sorts of fabric options.

9. I have been sewing up lots of leather projects lately. The Highlands Leather Purse is our winter sew-along. If you haven’t signed up and downloaded the free pattern, get on it! 😀 I have also been filming a leather workshop that will be coming out in February. I can’t wait to share it with ya’ll. I fell in love with the Barcelona Bucket Bag while making it for the workshop, and I really want to stitch one up in mustard yellow leather.

So there you have it! I invite you to take the challenge with me. Put your project photos on your social media channels and tag them #makenine so we can all be inspired by each other.

Happy sewing,

Sadie

P.S. Have you taken the Make Nine challenge in past years? How did it go for you?


Start Your Make Nine Challenge Here!

  • Jeans Demystified: Pant Fitting and Construction the Easy Way | Start Anytime

    $29.99
  • Bennett Tank Digital Sewing Pattern

    $7.99
  • Barcelona Bucket Bag Digital Sewing Pattern

    $7.99
  • Sewing Lingerie Sewing Pattern Download

    $7.99

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