I haven’t totally abandoned this blog I promise… Life has just been happening and has taken all my focus and time for the last few years. But I am feeling the urge to get back into creating and documenting both the things I do and the thought processes behind it all, with that in mind I am planning to come back and post here more regularly.
So although I don’t really see 1st of January as the start of a “New Year, New Me” thing I do have a bit of a lull and have finished many creative tasks so have sat down and thought about what I want to make over the next year. And so have created a #MakeNine for the sewing/knitting things I want to make in 2025.

1) A quilted jacket. I have admired a load of quilted jackets on Instagram since this trend took off but have never really seen how they would fit into my wardrobe (which never stopped me from wanting one) but after having a bit more of a search for this planning I found this style of jacket, which is longer and has a cross over front and is far more my style. Since sitting down and doing this planning I have tried on a few quilted jackets in the Butterwalk and have more of an idea of the style I am looking for which is a bit longer than this inspiration image, definitely belted and possibly with a shawl style collar and obviously pockets!
2) Fair Isle Jumper. This has been in the back of my mind for a while and I want to replace an acrylic commercial jumper that I bought at least 10 years ago, which is blue, white and pink. I am looking for something more jewel toned and mostly from my stash, this is going to make it harder to design but I am thinking that I might just split the balls in my stash into quarters to ensure that I can have the same design over the whole piece. I have several knitting pattern books that can help me out with inspiration for this jumper, it is just a question of getting started and swatching…
3) Aran jumper. How many years has this featured on my making plans? It has been there since at least 2019! In my defence it is self-drafted and partly knitted, then I ran out of wool and they stopped selling it, shout out to woolwarehouse for having some more and selling it to me directly. My current sticking point is that I’m going to have to redesign some if not all of the jumper because the raglan shaping didn’t work out, and tbh I might want a bit of extra ease in the jumper 5 years on… This one is going to require me to sit down and do a fair bit of maths to ensure that I have a well-designed jumper that will last me for many many years to come. This is knitted in Rowan Hemp Tweed which is a 75% wool and 25% hemp blend which will hopefully add to its durability and longevity.
4) Emerald Green Boilersuit. I did the Design Your Wardrobe challenge from Seamwork last year (or earlier) and Lux Workwear was basically what I settled on. I really like the idea of having something I can throw on for work in the garden that doesn’t feel too “working in the garden”, To be 100% honest there is more than a tiny chance that I might buy this, but even if I do that it would need some modification to make it work properly. I really like the idea of nice deep green coloured overalls, they have to be roomy enough to spend time bending down comfortably, preferably have a zip front rather than buttons and an elasticated waist.
5) Wool Phen Trousers. This would be my 4th pair of these trousers, I made a pair to wear under a tunic to Aneesa’s Indian wedding celebration and they required two muslins to create the style I was looking for, but I still wear both muslins as well as the final pair. I have decided I want a warm pair in thickish wool fabric, I think these will be great since the wrap style means that I can wear thick leggings underneath without them getting too tight, which will make them really versatile, I am just wondering if I might have to line them. I am also thinking of gathering the ankles to make them more cozy and less draughty. Since starting this planning I have been to my local fabric shop and fondled their wool samples so we are making progress on this idea, slowly.
6) Quilted Wool Gilet. This has also featured on my list for many years, I have two lovely wools lined up for this already and have printed out the pattern as well. Although I am planning on making some adjustments to the SeamworkJesse pattern, which I have only just found out has changed name! This might spring to the top of the list if this snow carries on… The only thing I might change from my previous plans is to change the composition of the batting, since I first planned this gillet my thoughts on sustainability have developed and I feel that using a natural fabric is important so may have to source some wool batting.
7) Woven Joggers. I have the SemworkFallon pattern printed but not stuck together for these, I have made the now discontinued Seamwork Moji trousers for a similar pattern in the past (with heavy modification) but I need some more trousers with extra width in the calf so I might as well try the new pattern. If these work out I see a few more in my future as the patch pocket with flap and the gathered ankles will work well for gardening. If I get this pattern to fit well I can see it being a staple in my wardrobe, and I can anticipate Mummy requesting her own versions too…
8) This is my fancy wildcard for the year (despite how un fancy the photo is, lol). This top is the muslin for the bodice of the DDMyosotis dress that now has a waist band on it and I am planning to turn into an embroidered top. I have some very wild ideas about the themes for the embroidery, we will see…
9) Modify Coat. This should probably have been on my Mend Nine (coming soon) but it’s going to be a big project so it’s here, I want to modify this coat to be a bit more fitted on me. I originally bought it for my grandfather’s funeral, to wear something red and not be freezing, and it does swamp me somewhat, but it went soo well with my bridesmaid dress for Nikki’s wedding that I couldn’t not wear it. And I received a number of compliments on it that I want to wear it more often, it just needs taming slightly and a belt, I would love to work out how to do a self-fabric belt as anything dark just looks too Santa like!
If wool makes you itch, as it does myself, you might find just lining the top of the legs helps. I have a pair I bought that have like lining shorts inside.
I haven’t found it too bad in the past, but I haven’t made a pair of trousers from pure wool yet.
This kind of lining might be a good idea though anyway. Thank you