It's the New Year! I spent a bit of time on Instagram yesterday and my feed is already filling up with everyone's #MakeNine sewing plans. It's so exciting to plan new projects for the year, isn't it? I love seeing the patterns people have picked out. #MakeNine is a great way to make sewing goals because choosing just nine projects for the year is so very manageable and attainable. Or at least it should be. Unless you're me and you're looking back at your list from last year, ahem.

Originally was going to just throw this post up on the blog as a "hey look I only made 2 things on my #2018MakeNine!" so those of you who killed your lists last year could feel amazing and superior (hee...but really, that's great!) and those of you who didn't manage to make yours could feel better, like a hey let's be real, it's OK hashtag life type thing. But after listening to this week's Love to Sew Podcast with Elise Cripe* about making goals for the new year, I decided to dig in a little bit and see what I can learn from. Considering I only managed to make just TWO of the nine things on my #2018MakeNine, I'm pretty sure I can glean at least one or two takeaways.

For reference, here's what I had on my list:

my 2018MakeNine list

( I also posted about this list earlier on the blog (#2018MakeNine Plans) if you want a pattern-by-pattern breakdown)

Of those nine, I managed to make this technicolor Wiksten Haori Jacket (previously the "Wiksten Oversized Kimono Jacket," the pattern name has recently been changed for better accuracy and cultural sensitivity):

And this Roscoe blouse:

Cue sad trombone? Or not? On its surface it really does seems like kind of a fail. However, I totally love those two garments (that jacket is probably my "most-worn make" of 2018), and life is really too short to beat myself up over a to-do list that doesn't completely materialize.

It's also worth noting that it's not a situation me only making those two things this year and nothing else. I made scads of things, they just weren't things on that list (and it's also worth clarifying that for the purposes of this post, I'm talking about things I sew for fun, not the things I have to sew for the business, though admittedly that's not exactly a clear-cut line). Nine is definitely still a manageable quantity for me; I do not need to create a #MakeFour (hee).

Looking at the disconnect between setting the goals and achieving the goals, I have a few observations that perhaps you too will find helpful.

First, I never would have guessed how much knitting I would end up doing this year. This greatly cut into my leisurely sewing time (Note to self: add knitting projects to this year's list if you make one). I probably would have made more of these things if I hadn't gotten so hooked on knitting starting in July after my knitting retreat.

Second, I failed to anticipate how spontaneous and unpredictable my leisurely sewing always is. I love making a to-do list, I just don't always love to stick to said list. I'm not sure there's any solution to this issue aside from quitting list-making altogether (nah) or resolving to be OK with whatever happens.

I also forgot how much longer it would take me to sew a brand new pattern than one of my own patterns, which I know will fit (so: no need to make a muslin) and barely need to read the instructions for, and will therefore choose readily when faced with unanticipated time to sew. I actually started almost all of the patterns: all have been purchased and/or printed, most have been traced, and I even managed to get as far as a muslin for the Fringe dress. A few of the projects had unanticipated hiccups that stalled them (never found the "perfect fabric") or canceled them (unresolved body-love issues, anyone? Bathing suit, I'm looking right at you).

Finally, I didn't anticipate how much sewing I would do for my kids. I made quite a lot of things for them, most of them not blogged or posted online. These included a bathrobe, tank tops, shorts, and dresses for Clementine, as well as a handful of shirts and pants and shorts for the boys. While this type of sewing isn't exactly my "dream-sewing," it's still deeply satisfying as kid- sewing is quick, easy, and practical.

Anyway, just taking a few minutes to run this brief analysis of the why and how of my "fail" -- if you can even call it that -- is already helping me see how to simplify my goals for this coming year and create a to-make list that's a bit more realistic and achievable. Meanwhile, I'm celebrating all of the other things not on my list that I *did* make this year (including a dozen Jade tees and dresses that I wear all. the. time.) and really looking forward to a fun year of making in 2019!!!

How about you? Did you make a #MakeNine list last year? How many things on that list did you manage to check off? What's on your list for next year? Tell me what you're most excited to make!

*Highly recommend this episode. Here it is again if you want to listen: Love to Sew Podcast with Elise Cripe

My #2018MakeNine Fail

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