2019 Remake Nine

I’ve been watching everyone’s Make Nine plans pop up on instagram and blog and thinking to myself… I surely don’t need nine new clothing items. Of course we all know that I will definitely make more than nine things next year (see my 2018 Year in Review post about how I made 56 items for myself last year), but I wanted to challenge myself to be a bit more sustainable in my sewing next year. After late night instagram rant, the Remake Nine challenge was born!

For now, its a one person challenge, but I would love for others to join me! The idea is to remake (at least) nine items in your closet. This could include replacing me-made or ready to wear items with newly sewn items OR fixing, mending, or altering items in your closet to make them wearable again. The key is that you then have to donate, scrap, or trash the item you are replacing, thus making sure that you aren’t adding any new items to your wardrobe. Of course, this challenge isn’t for everyone, if you need or want to make new clothing then by all means go for it! No judgement here. This is simply to motivate me to limit the amount of items I add to my wardrobe while still getting my sewing fix! I will still be making plenty of new garments next year, I’m just hoping this will make it nine less than it would have been otherwise.

Replace Me-Mades

I’ve broken my nine items into three categories. The first are three me made items in my lingerie drawer that desperately need to be replaced… you guessed it, bras and undies! Its been almost a year and a half since I made an underwire bra and though I haven’t been wearing them as much as my soft bras, they still have a place in my life! The ones I have are ratty or don’t fit at all, so the Marlborough Bra is first up on my list of items to replace.

The second item on my list is undies. I love the Papercut Patterns Soma Swimsuit bottoms for underwear, and my current pairs are in an embarrassing state. Its time to replace them all.

The two Watson Bras I made last year have been wardrobe workhorses, and it it shows! They need to be replaced with some new everyday bras.

 

Fix Me-Mades

The next three items are me made garments that I just don’t wear, but with a few simple tweaks, should incorporate into my everyday wardrobe. The first is a Colette Moneta Dress that I just don’t wear, its not really my style anymore and the rayon blend fabric I used is too heavy for the gathered skirt. However, I love the fabric and I want to salvage it! I have a few ideas, we will see what actually happens.

The next item is a purple Grainline Farrow. Lets just say I got too creative with this one, the pattern was great as designed and I made too many tweak and the style just became awkward. I think I need to take of the sleeves and somehow fix the neckline and it will be perfect!

The final me-made I want to fix is this Closet Case Patterns Ebony Tee. I didn’t do a good fabric/pattern pairing here and I don’t find myself reaching for it very often. Its the kind of casual top I can wear to work, but the extra volume gets in the way when bending and lifting. If I just take it in a bit I think it will be perfect!

Replace Ready to Wear

The final grouping of garments for my ReMake Nine is RTW items that I would like to replace with me-made items. Most of these have been on my list for years and I need to finally get on with making them!

Firstly, I need some simple tank dresses to wear for sleeping. I have a few RTW and some me-made ones that desperately need replacing.

Secondly, I have two cropped cardigans in my wardrobe that I’ve held on to for way too long. I think I’ve had one of these since college! Cropped cardigans are so great to wear with dresses and these really need to be replaced. I have one in black and one in gray and I will replace at least one of them this year with a me-made! Not sure what pattern I will use yet, I’m open to suggestions!

Finally, the most ambitious item on my list is to replace my ready to wear ski pants. I have about 4 pairs that are either too big or too small and all fit horribly. Every time I ski, I curse them for riding too low and cutting in when I bend down to buckle my boot. I WILL make some pants for skiing this year, the problem is I don’t know where to start! There aren’t any good patterns in my size range, so this is going to be a major hack job.

So what do you think? Does anyone else feel overwhelmed by the size of their closet? Will you join me in remaking nine items in 2019? Please hashtag with #remakenine2019 and tag me in any posts you make if you decide to join in!