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The Sew Life with Riesha Nicolle – Make Nine 2024 Edition

Here we are again back at the beginning of 2024 and talking about our Make Nine for the year. I create a list every year. Sometimes I complete them and sometimes I don’t. WIth 2024 being my year of consistency, that’s my word for the year by the way, I was like why not.

The most important outfit of 2024 will be whatever I am going to make for Chicago Frocktails. This event is taking place in Chicago June 8 – 9, 2024. More details to come on this outfit as they are available. I will do a whole recording of what I am making and the process. You will be able to find it on my YouTube channel. 

How did I come up with my list? Well a couple of things.

  • I based it off of the skills I want to learn
  • Things I struggle with, for example zippers and buttons
  • Style of the pattern
  • Sewing Level, beginner, intermediate, advanced
  • Fabric type

Beginner patterns are always my go to for a quick and easy sew. These are good for last minute, I don’t have anything in my closet to wear, patterns. I have a few Tried and True (TNT) patterns that I refuse to give up.

Intermediate patterns are patterns that challenge my skills and I here for it. I have been sewing since 2014 and it is time to step up my game. There is no reason I shouldn’t be making these patterns.

Advanced patterns are the patterns that I will be making towards the end of the 3rd quarter in 2024. I will build all my skills needed to move forward and be comfortable picking up these patterns to sew.

So let’s get into this list. Of course with new patterns coming out for Spring/Summer/Winter I may want to change a few, but for now, this is my list. I will be making these in this order.

  1. Vogue 9319 – Very Easy Vogue Misses’ Tops, Shorts, and Pants – View B and View D

Skills to learn: Wide Front and Back Yokes, Pockets, and Back Zipper

    2. Vogue 1674 – Easy Misses’ Dress – View A – Colorblock

    Skills to Learn: Lining and Invisible Zipper

    3. Simplicity 8702 – Misses’ Knit Jacket, Pants and Leggings- View A and View C

    Skills to learn: Color Blocking, Zippers, and Drawstring

    4. McCall’s 8438 – Intermediate Misses’ Coats and Vest – View A

    Skills to learn: Buttonholes and Buttons

    5. Simplicity 9700 – Intermediate – Misses’ Jumpsuit – View A

    Skills to learn: Topstitching, Zipper, Set in Sleeves, Buttoned Cuffs, Buttoned Pockets, Side Pockets, and Belt Carriers

    6. Simplicity 9893 Misses’ Cape by Mimi G Style– Intermediate

    Skills to learn: Cargo Pockets, Inverted Pleats and Flaps, Storm Flap, Buttons, Tabs, Convertible Sleeve

    7. Know Me 2063 by Brittany J. Jones – Intermediate – View A

    Skills to learn: Elastic Casing, Side Pockets, Front Fly Zipper

    8. Know Me 2067 by The Stitch Fitz Advanced- Misses’ Dress – View (undecided)

    Skills to learn: Lined Bodice, Boning, Optional Straps and Invisible Back Zipper

    9. Simplicity 9894 by Mimi G Style – Intermediate – Misses’ and Women’s Top and Skirt – View A and B

    Skills to learn: Bust Cups, Zippers, Topstitching

    Until Next Time, Go Sew Something,

    Welcome to 2024

    Hello, My name is Riesha, also known as Riesha Nicolle on the socials. I am a fashionable, fitness foodie, that loves to sew, workout, and cook daily. Follow me on my journey of sewing a new wardrobe to match my new physique, as well as making delicious meals and working out to keep it. I am also the owner of my own online t-shirt and accessories shop, known as SixTwentyTwoLLC. I am a married mom of 2, a girl and a boy. My family is my world.

    I started my fitness journey, seriously, in 2014 when my mom passed away from stomach cancer. This is also when I started sewing. I used fitness and sewing to help with the grief of losing my mom. My t-shirt shop name is her actual birthday, 6/22, the name was my husband’s idea.

    Now that you know a little bit about me, let’s get into my goals for 2024.

    Goal #1 – Finances – Financial Freedom

    My main goal for 2024 is to achieve Financial Freedom. I have a few bills that I have created over the past few years, that I just want gone. In order to do this I have put myself on a personal budget and will be spending less. I want for nothing when it comes to material things. I have a sewing space that includes any any and everything you could possibly imagine, some of the things I have, have never been used. Such a shame.

    An action plan for the month of January is to not buy any fabric or sewing patterns. I will be using all the things I have in my space. If a project calls for a fabric that I don’t have, I will be choosing something else to create my next project. I did not come up with this idea on my own, it is part of the group Sew Much Talent on Instagram. I am so excited for this challenge and I think it is going to kick start my no unnecessary spending.

    Goal #2 – Personal Development – Expanding My Sewing Skills

    This is a tough one. I love to sew with Knit fabrics. So, in 2024 I will be using more wovens, oh gosh did I really just put that in writing? Okay, yes I did. It is going to be the only way that I grow. I have used wovens before, it’s not like they are brand new to me. I just don’t always go to the projects where they are required. 2024 is a year of growth for me. Here is a list of a few things that I am going to master:

    • Zippers
    • Woven Fabrics
    • More Tote Bags/Purses
    • Specialty Fabrics – Fancy Fabrics

    Here are a few of my favorite items in a woven or little to no stretch fabrics.

    Goal #3 – Health and Fitness – Staying Consistent with Taking Care of Myself

    I have a plan that I am using, actually working with an online coach, 2 more months and it will be cancelled. Not that the program is not working for me, because it is, but I am using all that I have learned to be able to do the workouts and meals on my own. This way I am taping into Goal #1 – financial freedom, and using the plans accordingly on my own. My plan is 4 days of strength training, Lower body – glute focused, Upper body – shoulders and arms, Total body, and a body weight only workout day. I do cardio 3 days a week, Saturday and Monday are Xtreme Hip Hop Classes, and Wednesday is a traditional step class. I take the classes because I am not disciplined enough to do cardio on my own, I don’t like it. LOL!!!

    Be Consistent

    McCall’s 8408 Misses’ Patchwork pants and shorts.

    Pattern description: Patchwork shorts and pants with contour waistband features a fly front zipper, back darts, topstitched hem and pockets.

    Pattern rating by simplicity: Average

    Pattern rating by me: intermediate

    I am looking forward to Fall Sewing this year, as I am planning projects that are out of my comfort zone. I have a few coats/jackets on my list that I have not sewn before and I want to add denim, mainly jeans to the list, which I just completed my first pair. I used McCall’s 8408 for this project. I am absolutely in love with these jeans.

    McCall’s 8408

    I used a fabric that I saw at my local Joann’s, it is also available online, today, but not sure how long supplies will last.

    This fabric is called blue patchwork denim fabric. It’s in a dark denim. It is 57 inches wide, 88% cotton, 8%, polyester, and 4% rayon. I fell in love with this fabric when I first saw it in the store of course it was not on sale so I waited to purchase it. Glad I did. The original price is $20.99 a yard. I was able to get it on sale for $11.99 a yard. It was worth every penny.

    For the contrasting color in the middle I used a denim, but I’ve had this denim in my stash for a while. I actually purchased it at Cali fabrics in San Francisco California. They have a lot of great choices in fabric. It’s one of my fabric shops that I go to when I visit. I was able to get the pockets on the back and they are lined up perfectly so I was proud of that. I was also able to get in the fly zipper. I did not put the front fly flap on it. I wanted the zipper exposed to give it a more vintage look so I kept the front flap off.

    I made sure to keep the insides as clean as the outside. So what I did was once I attached each piece front and back to the to the leg pieces, I used my serger to clean up the seam lines. It gives it a nice clean finish, and my fabric was fraying.

    AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE WAY THEY FIT.

    Until, next time, SEW WHAT?

    Simplicity 9757 Misses’ Knit Top and Skirt in Two Lengths

    My first thought when I saw this pattern, oh that’s cute, but I could never wear that. Then I thought I can wear whatever I want and I did just that.

    I love the way it came out and I love the fabric choice I made.

    Pattern Description: Misses’ Knit top and Skirt in Two Lengths

    Pattern Sizing: Small – XXLarge. I cut a medium.

    Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? yes it looked just like the pattern envelope when completed.

    Were the instructions easy to follow? Yes, the instructions were easy to follow.

    What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked that it was a quick and easy make. I didn’t really like the elastic on the side, I cut View D, for the skirt. Once it was in and I tried it on, I still wasn’t a fan of the elastic. I will make the longer version when I make the next one, yes there will be a next make.

    Fabric Used:  This is a two-way stretch, that I think I found at Walmart, I can’t remember, it’s either there or Jo-ann’s as there aren’t any other fabric stores close to me.

    Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: No alterations needed for this pattern. I made the short version, which I wasn’t so sure about, but when I measured it and compared it to my body measurements, the length was just where I wanted it to be, at the waistline, but not showing too much skin.

    Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I am already planning to make it again, in the longer skirt version View C. I highly recommend it others for a quick, cute summer outfit.

    Until next time, sew something!!!

    Sewing Plans for 2023

    It has been a while since I have sat down at my sewing machine and completed a garment. I have 2 that I am working on completing this week. The first one is Simplicity 9544 View C. I started this jumpsuit in October with Carol’s Sewing Corner on Facebook. It is 95% complete, it needs the buttons attached and I ordered beads for the hardware for vthe waist tie.

    I was looking forward to this one and actually wearing it before the weather changed. It didn’t happen and we are now in a rainstorm, so once complete I will be doing indoor photos with this one.

    Here are a few photos of the progress.

    Project #2 New Look 6740

    I started this one the week of Christmas and it has been hanging on Brittany, my mannequin, half done. It needs the sleeves finished and the bottom attached. My son, he’s almost 25, in a few weeks, asked if I were going to wear pants under it. Huh? What? No I hadn’t planned on it, guessing he thinks its too short. I am only 4’11”, so more than likely it is going to be real dress on me and not a “mini” dress as the pattern states. I do like the booties with it that the model is wearing, so more than likely I will pair it with leggings and a booties. I’ll keep the son happy and stay warm at the same time.

    For now these are my sewing goals. I am also looking for an outfit to make for Valentine’s Day dinner with my husband. I haven’t decided if I want to do a jumpsuit, which you all know is my favorite, a dress, or a pants and jacket combo. I just don’t know. So for now I am going through my patterns to see if anything jumps out at me.

    What are your sewing plans? Leave me a comment. Happy sewing!

    Fashion is art and you are the canvas. ~Velvet Paper