My Make Nine for 2024
I’m sure most of you are familiar with the Make Nine Challenge started by Rochelle (Ro) of HomeRow Handcrafts back in 2015. It started off as a spin off of the best nine posts that were popular on Instagram at the time. The idea is simple, think of 9 goals for the year then place them on a 3x3 grid an work towards each goal over the course of the year. If you want to learn more about the challenge, read here.
I’ve participated many times before, but not in the last few years. However I have several goals this year so I decided to create a board for 2024.
Shoes
I purchased the I Can Make Shoes course back in 2020 during Covid. I had lost my sewjo and wanted something DIY or creative to fill that void and I thought shoes would be a good challenge and fun. Well that same year I bought roller skates and skating provided a physical activity when all the gyms were closed as well as a safe way to interact with other outside. So all my attention went to skating and subsequently creating and selling skate accessories because apparently I always need to be making something. Fast forward to 2022 I finally watched the course and attempted not one but two pairs of shoes here and here). Neither was perfect, but that was to be expected. I had only purchased supplies to make three pairs so when it got to that third pair I got a little in my head.
So this year I want to rewatch the course, which has been revamped anyway, and try my hand at shoemaking again. Sandals are easier than closed toe, closed heels shoes so I’ll start there, but I want to make closed toe mules and a traditional pump. Wish me luck!
Quilt
By quilt I mean quilt block, because an entire quilt seems a bit unrealistic this year. I never thought i’d be interested in quilting as I love wearing my makes. Last year I was introduced to AccuQuilt at QuiltCon, which I only attended because Lisa Woolfork, of Black Women Stitch and the podcast Stitch Please, invited me. She curated a lounge just for black makers to mingle and create and one of the projects was a applique using an AccuQuilt die. I used my appliques for a sweatshirt and fell in love. I know own an AccuQuilt GO! cutter so I need to put it to use. Now the cutter is perfect for cutting triangles, blocks and strips precisely and quickly, especially compared to cutting by hand using shears or a rotary cutter. But it also is great for cutting any repetitive item. I have dies for a bowl cozie, oven mitt and eye mask. They even have one for mask, oh how I wish I had that during the pandemic.
Since I have the cutter I definitely have to attempt a quilt block, after all quilting looks like geometry in art form to me and being a math major it just make sense for me to do, right?
Intimates
Once you start sewing you realize how reasonably or outrageously RTW items are priced. For instance, jeans-due to all the details ; like topstitching, fly zipper, belt loops and just the work to fit make them easier for to purchase. Other things like undies can be whipped up so fast with basically scraps of knit fabric and elastic that it seems ridiculous to pay $5 a pair. Many seem to this undies like swim suits are challenging, but I don’t find them to be. As longs as you can work with elastic you’re fine. Bralettes are also pretty simple, actual bras on the other hand are not. Well i can’t say as I haven’t attempted an underwire bra yet, but they seem intimidating…something about the underwire. Also by the time your source all the notions like rings, sliders, underwire and clasp, it can get costly and negate the cost savings of making it yourself. (of course that’s not the reason not to or to make something. i’m just saying.)
There are so many free underwear patterns floating around Blue Ivy’s internet! My goal this is year is to try as many as I can and find one or two favorites to be my TNTs. I’ve already rubbed off a bralette pattern, it just needs a little tweaking. And there are a variety of bralette patterns out there as well. Not sure how I’m going to share these with you, but I guess that is what mannequins are for!
Purse
I don’t really sew purse or any bags and that’s because I don’t carry them. I’m more of a purse kinda girl. If I need a tote there’s always a 99 cent one from a store laying around. I blame Thalia’s Threads for releasing the Mag Bag pattern and the bag girlies of BSN (Black Sewing Network) for convincing me that I need to make at least a few bags. I’ve already attempted the mag bag, but that first version is definitely a practice version. I’m going to try again though. I also want to try a duffle bag and maybe a crossbody/sling bag.
Free Space
I’m leaving myself this free space to allow myself the option to be inspired by something during the year that I want to try. It also is a good way to ensure I get a tic-tac-toe just in case I don’t finish the whole board.
Apron
My husband @atlgrow, has been asking for an apron for years. Initially just for in the kitchen as he does half, if not most of the cooking. More recently this would be more helpful for him in his garden. If you are in to that check him out. I’m finally going to make him one this year!
Jeans
Jeans are always on my vision boards, my make nine and my to sew lists. This year I finally want to make a pair. Now I’ve sew pants in denim/twill, like these, these and these, but not a true pair with a fly zip, waistband and topstitching. I grabbed the Isle jeans from Chalk and Notch as soon as they dropped and I want to start with this pattern, probably the wide leg view.
Knit
I certainly already have enough hobbies - sewing, cricuting(?), reading, skating, etc - but I really want to learn to knit. I’ve been meaning to get to it for at least a year now and no luck. I do have needles, yarn and kits just no time. Knitting just seems like a great hobby to do on the go, much like reading. For times when I’m the passenger, at my daughters game, in the car while she’s practicing or while watching tv. Though I’m not promising to knit a sweater or anything like that, I do want to learn to knit and pearl.
Machine covers
Last but not least I really need to make some machine covers. Only my coverstitch came with a decent cover, the rest had the cheap plastic ones that have torn, ripped or been lost of time. I really want to sew all my machines a matching set. I’ve had fabric for years, but I always pick a new garment instead. This year I will make time.
What about you what are your goals for 2024? Did you create a Make Nine board?
