My Make Nine in 2026

Over the years, I’ve made a habit of trying to organize my sewing life with a bit of planning. There is a common fallacy in the sewing world—one I’m certainly not immune to—of impulsively sewing "interesting" garments that don’t actually fit my lifestyle or wardrobe. The result? A closet full of clothes, but "nothing to wear."

On the other hand, buying fabric is a hobby in itself, often completely separate from the act of sewing! It’s the purchase of a dream or an image of oneself that rarely comes to fruition.

In an attempt to curb my fabric shopping and impulsive sewing, I’ve been trying to match my fabric stash with my pattern collection. My goal is to fill my wardrobe with items I truly need, plus a few "curiosity" projects—after all, this is a hobby and it should be about joy and pleasure.

This is just a small scoop of the fabrics I've collected over the years, which I would very much like to turn into garments this year. 

1 is a piece of black stretch denim, which could be another pair of  calf-length jeans for myself. I loved the ones I made last year and would definitely appreciate a second one with even better fit.

2 and 3 are sweater fleece and ribbing for a hoodie for Gaby's boyfriend. I'll probably make him another Brad hoody by Viki Sews, as I know how it fits him.

4 is a small, but gorgeous piece of viscose gabardine, that could become a pair of shorts for Gaby, she likes to wear such summer pants.

5 and 6 are chiffons, that I mean to try to turn into a bias sundress. I've made the Bailen top many times, I'm curious to try the dress with these fabrics, though the cutting and sewing of the chiffons will be a nightmare. And on that note - no more chiffons, I'm done with buying these!

7 and 8 are transfers from my previous year plans, I really, really would like to sew them this summer into a dress and jacket, respectively.

9 is a new acquisition and i'm curious if that wouldn't make another gorgeous Metra blazer.

10 is some georgette, that I intend to try to make into straight pants for myself. It would be more like a test garment, I have another precious fabric, that I would like to cut into, once I've perfected the fit.

11 and 12 are big pieces of plush and fleece, which should produce some sportswear for myself - a fleece zipped sweater and some wide pants, probably.

13 and 14 are knit fabrics, intended for leggings for Gaby and myself.

Unlike last year, I’m setting more realistic goals this time. 

What happened last year? I started strong, buying almost no new fabric and immediately sewing the few pieces I did acquire. But then summer arrived, and I was caught in a "chiffon madness." I bought meters of chiffon and georgette, fraying my nerves trying to turn them into flowy dresses. 

I ended the year with 32 meters of new fabric, only half of which was sewn. I hope to do better this year, but if not—it’s just a hobby, not world politics!

My Make Nine in 2025

This is my fourth in a row Make Nine pledge at the beginning of the year. Last year I had planned a number of patterns I paid good money for and wanted to see them in use. However, I only made two of the particular patterns I had chosen - Burda Jeans 120 02/2010 and the cargo pants 129 from the same magazine, which was a curious coincidence. I also made a lot of light summer dresses, including one for Gaby, which was on my Make Nine list, however not the one, I had initially planned.

This time I've decided to play it a bit differently. I usually go mentally through my wardrobe and my patterns and so the Make Nine choice is mostly pattern-based. Over the years, however, I've collected quite a lot of fabrics too and this year I've decided to base my pledge on a bunch of my fabrics. This is just a small pile of the stash I have, but I have to start from somewhere :)

I've chosen 15 pieces of fabric and 12 patterns and the aim towards the end of the year is to have at least 9 of these fabrics made into the selected (or other) patterns. Apart from pattern 1, which is a ready made dress and is a general idea rather than a specific pattern, I have all of the listed patterns in my collection and some of them I've already made with other fabrics over the years.

1. The first pattern is probably the most difficult to make - an imitation of Gaby's graduation dress, RTW Swing Cocktail Dress. It is a combination of four fabrics - lace, knit fabric under the lace, chiffon for the skirt of the dress and sateen for the underskirt. These are fabrics 7 and 8 - lace and chiffon in dusty rose. I have the suitable knit fabric too, I'll only have to buy the sateen.

2. The Gloria dress by Vikisews was one of my finds last year. I've had a cotton sateen fabric in purple, which I bought three or four years ago to make a shirt, but now I want a dress out of it. This is fabric 2.

3. Fabric 6 is a high quality cotton dress fabric, which I want to make for Gaby with pattern 3 - the Burda 144 11/2016. I already made this pattern last year in green, but I want to try it with some mods for Gaby.

4. Pattern 4 is a Love Notions dress, that has been in my plans for two years. In 2025 I plan to finally make it, using the yellow knit fabric 5

5. Last year I made a pink hoodie for Gaby, which has been a big success. I have a fairly large remnant of the same fabric (9) and coordinating rib fabric, so I'll try to make a simpler version, without the hood, for myself. If the fabric is really not enough, I might consider combining it with some other sweatshirt fabric for a color-block hoodie.

6. I want to try my hands at a short suit jacket. Burda 117 08 / 2017 comes in my size and height and I intend to try it with the green georgette - fabric 1.

7. I bought the pattern for the chiffon blouse Burda 101 12 / 2020 the moment it came out and soon after I found the perfect fabric and accessories. This is fabric 12 and I hope to make it this year.

8. A lined jacket out of corduroy fabric. The fabric was a gift and has been in my stash for years, I'm ready to cut into it and try to make something. The pattern I've chosen is Burda 6799.

9. I have two pieces of denim fabric - black (fabric 4) and blue (fabric 3) and I want to make jeans out of them. Last year I made two pairs of jeans and Burda 7050 turned out to be my most favourite make of the year.

10. Grey fabric 13 is some big piece of cotton viscose georgette, that I liked a lot for a pair of wide legged trousers. I have the Burda 104 02/2020 Marlene pants, but I might search for a different pattern for this fabric, I haven't decided yet.

11. Fabric 15 is dark blue sweatshirt knit, which I plan to turn into a hoodie for husband, probably the Burda 6718 men's anorak.

12. I have plenty of big remnants of sweatshirt fabric and if I have enough, I might try to make a color combo pair of joggings to go with the hoodie, like Knipmode 04 03 / 2020.

13. Fabric 10 is a light shirt cotton, fabric 11 is also cotton, medium weight. Since husband has plenty of cotton shirts, but wears none, I've decided to make these two fabrics into boxer shorts for him, something I know he'll like and wear.

Knowing me, I'll probably end the year with bigger stash of fabric than I've started it with, but at least I'm having all the good intentions, and that must count for something :)

My Make Nine in 2024

My third in a row Make Nine Challenge. I love this game at the beginning of the year, as it allows me to get out of the rut of sewing easy and easily wearable everyday t-shirts, hoodies and pants and to plan for different types of makes and different fabrics. Even if I don't make these 9, I would still like to have them in my head as a possibility. 

All of the patterns I have chosen this year are ones I already own and a couple of them have been on my list every year. I seem to want to make them, but never get to them. Maybe 2024 will be the year I finally do.

Of last year's Make Nine list, I made 4 - an improvement, I think, in 2022 it was only three of nine :) So, I sewed the Sinclair Lotte Hoodie, twice, once as a sweatshirt knit hoodie and once as a viscose blouse with thumbhole cuffs, which turned one of my favourite blouses last year. 

Then I made the Nightwear from Love Notions for my mother and I believe she loved it. 

I also sewed the Fleece Jacket Burda 6337 from their 2019 catalogue. To test the pattern, I made it from a fleece sweater of my husband, which was too big on him. I did not appreciate the design and didn't repeat it for Gaby, as I had initially intended. Nevertheless, I should acknowledge, that I've worn it a lot at home, as it is comfy and warm. 

And finally I made the Flared Jeans, which I am still to photograph and blog these coming days.

My new Make Nine for 2024 try to reflect my desire to make dresses, coats and jeans.

1. Sinclair Apollo Hoodie. This one I transfer from last year, mostly because I printed and cut the pattern, but never sewed it. I'm not so fond of it as of now, but I'll give it a try, it might surprise me.

2. Boyfriend Cardigan by Love Notions. I want to make this for Gaby, though I did make her two new layer pieces last December. But she claims she always needs layer pieces and her laboratory is quite cold.

3. Willow Wrap Dress by Love Notions. I'm definitely making this for myself, I have a feeling this could be a great summer dress just in my style.

4. Classic straight Burda Jeans, #120 04/2010. I was not very happy with the fit of the two pairs of jeans I made last year, despite testing a muslin first. I think I want to start afresh this year with a new jeans pattern.

5. Marlene Pants, Burda #104 02/2020. I've made these once for myself, now I plan a pair for Gaby. Last summer she liked one of my wide legged pants and wore it while in Bulgaria, clearly she needs a pair of her own. 

6. Coat Burda #102 10/2021. I'm not entirely sure if this is the coat pattern I want to start with, but I want to try it, as I've seen so many beautiful versions of it on the Burdastyle.ru site.

7. New cargo pants for husband. Last year I had promised him a new pair, as he lost quite a lot of weight and his old cargo pants, which he wears on almost every hike, are actually rather loose on him. I have the pattern, the fabric, the zipper and the buttons, I only need to get down to work and make it.

8. Some formal dress for Gaby out of silk, viscose or georgette. I still haven't found the perfect pattern for her, but this Burda #126 01/2015 is very feminine with interesting shoulder details, so I might try it.

9. Summer shorts for Alex. The pattern I have is Burda #137 04/2016 and I've been meaning to make it for him for such a long time, maybe this summer I will.

OK, the pledge is done, the list is made, now on to making some clothes :)

My Make Nine in 2023

Last year I made my first Make Nine pledge - nine specific clothing items I intended to sew in 2022. Of course, as is quite typical of me, I quickly forgot and abandoned the pledge - pledges, challenges and lists are clearly not my thing. 

Of the nine patterns I had decided to make, I made only three - the denim jacket, twice - for myself and then for Gaby, the Vikisews hoodie for my husband and the dirndl for Gaby, probably my most complicated sewing project last year.

Still, though I rarely stick to plans, it is always informing and curious to me to find out where I was a year ago. For that reason, and because I still think a plan is a good thing, I decided to pledge a new bunch of Make Nine this year.

The first three on my list are the last three patterns I bought in 2022. These are expensive indie designer patterns and I am determined to make use of them, at least once.

1. Sinclair Lotte Hoodie. Although I have plenty of hoodie patterns, I've been a sucker for colorblocking lately and this original hoodie was a must have for me. And while I was on this mindwave and because in was Boxing Day and Sinclair patterns had a sale I bought a similar hoodie for my husband:

2. Sinclair Apollo Hoodie. I'm determined to give it a try, though I might make it as a sweater out of thinner knit fabric.

3. Nightwear from Love Notions. I am a huge Love Notions fan and I've been gradually building a collection of their patterns. I love the curved colorblock detail and I might use it in a blouse or tunic, not just on a nightgown.

The next six items I have planned include three of my previous year Make Nine and three new ones. This year I want to sew jeans and jackets and I also plan a cocktail dress for Gaby - very ambitious :)

4. A coat - I have several Burda patterns and I intend to try at least one of them, probably using a coat fabric I have in my stash for my first try.

5. Fleece Jacket. This is Burda 6337 from their 2019 catalogue. Gaby asked for more second layer clothes, so i plan to make this one for her.

6. Jeans. I am definitely going to try this pattern for myself, I have the fabric already.

7. Some formal dress for Gaby. I think I'll start with this pattern - Burda #126 01/2015 is very feminine with interesting shoulder details, but I would make it with a different style skirt.

8. New cargo pants for husband - he definitely needs a new pair and i am planning to try this Burda pattern this year.

9. And finally something for Alex - summer shorts. I never came to making these for him last year, as I couldn't find suitable fabric. The pattern I have is Burda #137 04/2016

Now that I have made the pledge, I am so curious to see what I will actually make in 2023. Time will show :)

My Make Nine in 2022

This year I decided to take part in the popular Make Nine sewing challenge. The idea is to plan and then sew during the year nine clothing articles according to some criteria, relevant to the pledging sewist. 

My Make Nine are a motley crew - some are patterns I have been planning last year and even the year before, but never came to making them and others are specific clothing items, which I want to sew and the pattern might be the one I have or another I might buy in the future.

The first six are things I plan to make for myself and the last three are items for each of my other family members.

So, this year will be the year of jackets, I have planned at least three:

1. Denim Jacket. I had in my stash KnipMode #12 03/2020, but last year I came upon a Burda pattern of a denim jacket for shorter women, so this is the pattern of my choice: Burda #109 02/2010

2. Biker Jacket. In this case I know I want the type of item, I'm still not sure about the pattern. I already have two Burda biker jacket patterns bought, I'll have to study them carefully and make a choice.

3. Fleece Jacket. I have Burda 6337 from their 2019 catalogue and I'm planning to make the version with the hood, maybe.

The second category of items is dresses and pants. I have planned two dresses which I really want to try.

4. Burda #126 01/2015 is very feminine with interesting shoulder details. I plan to make it out of light viscose and short above the knees

5. Burda #118 07/2018 has been on my radar since I saw it on Carolyn's blog. She made it again recently out of another gorgeous fabric and published a video tutorial  - how can I resist :)

6. The last item I want to make for myself is cargo pants. The pattern I have is Burda #120 08/2019, but I might choose another pattern if I come upon a more suitable one; and I am definitely making them out of sturdy cotton material and not silk or viscose, as in the photo.

My selfless sewing plans include 

7. Hoodie for my husband. He likes this pattern by Vikisews, I have also bought two Burda patterns, so it'll be one of these.

8. Summer shorts for Alex. I know he likes this style of shorts, hopefully he might enjoy a pair made by me. The pattern I have is Burda #137 04/2016

9. And the last item is something I know Gaby would appreciate - a dirndl for Oktoberfest. I have no idea what fabrics I'll find in Sofia, but I'm willing to give it a try.

Of course, I'll sew many other things besides these nine, but I think it might be interesting to have a plan this year. And if I fail in making these nine or in the course of the year lose interest in any of them, I might swap them for other patterns, no pressure.

And because the year started more than two weeks ago, I have already made some progress on my Make Nine plans. Stay tuned for a very weather inappropriate first finished item for 2022 - the denim jacket :)

31 Days of August

Last year I took my first month's challenge to take one picture a day, aiming to improve my skills with the DSLR camera (Nikon D3200). The challenge was a failure to me, though I participated to the end. I had imagined that I would go around my business in town, carrying the heavy camera and in between chores would take a few perfect pictures. Of course, I was quickly disillusioned and ended taking pictures with my phone or the small travel camera. Although everyone nowadays is a photographer, I do not feel comfortable taking pictures with the DSLR in public on the street, just seems too pretentious of me.

So this year I limited the area of picture taking to our home and the nearby places, where I could easily carry the camera and even a tripod, with the exception of the three hikes on Vitosha and Rila. I took all the pictures with Nikon 3200, played with the settings and tried new techniques. I still haven't read the f*ing manual and I don't intend to (too boring), but I did read a lot of tips and trick and advices and watched video lessons.

Because of the limited area where I took the pictures, they are not very interesting and diverse, but they did teach me something about light, composition, viewpoint. Now I'm thinking about joining the 365project, the only thing that's stopping me is that this picture taking actually takes a lot of time - sometimes an hour for a picture and I'm not willing to invest that much time into taking pictures every day. And I would risk soon to succumb to mediocre casual pictures taken just for the sake of uploading any picture of the day.

Day 1
I started the challenge with a reference to a picture I took four years ago and submitted to a photo contest in a popular Bulgarian news site. The editors liked it and are still circulating it every summer. This is a printscreen of the head page of the site on August 1st:

Day 2
Sunflowers bouquet with light from the windows, accentuated on the flowers

Day 3
Home-made eclairs

Day 4
Composition with coffee

Day 5
Beautiful tree on Vitosha

Day 6
Almost full moon

Day 7
The beautiful colors of Caprese salad

Day 8
A puzzle assembled

Day 9
A rose in the twilight, using flashlight to distinguish it from the surroundings

Day 10
Lots of traffic in the sky

Day 11
Composition in yellow - homemade lemonade

Day 12
Hummingbird moth in action on Vitosha

Day 13
Rain drops, taken with high speed

Day 14
Grapes

Day 15
Composition with fruit

Day 16
Colors

Day17
Rustic composition

Day 18
Citrus chicken while cooking

Day 19
Lots of pictures taken on Malyovitza,
There I experimented with speed (for running water), light and boken

Day 20
Night subway (high ISO, open aperture, low speed)

Day 21
Cooking peach jam in the oven

Day 22
Lines in the sky

Day 23
Beer picture

Day 24
Charlotte cake for Gaby's BD

Day 25
Portrait picture

Day 26
Leisure time

Day 27
Composition with white wine

Day 28
Cinnamon buns

Day 29
Heart-shaped boken lights with hand-made paper filter

Day 30
Street photography - market

Day 31
Because it was the last day I posted three pictures I liked which I took that day
Sunset

A curious ornament

Graffiti

Me-Made-May 2013

'I, Carmela of Carmela Biscuit's Spot, sign up as a participant of Me-Made-May '13. I endeavour to wear a self-made garment each day for the duration of May 2013'

You know, this is not my first challenge of this kind, I took part in Self-Stitched-September-11 a year and a half ago and it was a notable month for the whole family, for I asked, begged and bribed each and everyone of them to take a picture of me every day in the course of a month.

So, the challenge for the upcoming 31 days of May will be not only to wear my own clothes, but to manage to take pictures of myself wearing them every day. I'm starting practicing with the tripod and the automatic picture taking functions of my camera :)))

I also mean to take the pledge to a higher level, challenging myself to finish two new knits to be worn in May and to sew something wearable for myself. I haven't done that in ages! But I want a long gypsy skirt for the summer or maybe a yoga tunic for my Pilates classes ...

As for the report of the challenge, the plan is to take pictures every day and to share them with the Flickr group and to publish a weekly report here on the blog.

So, here we go, starting tomorrow!