Spring 2021 Make List

After a year sharing (albeit inconsistently) on this blog, the rhythms of my creative drive are becoming a little more clear to me. I have only done one other seasonal make list, and, ta-da!, it was last spring! After reviewing my list from last year, I was surprised to find that two of the three items I planned to make either didn't get done at all, or were replaced by a different project, and the third was significantly altered. The older I get, however, the more I settle into what I truly love and the less distracted I become. I am hopeful that this year, my make list will reflect current needs or just plain aesthetic joy that I will follow through with and wear often.

All four of these pieces feel light and warm and easy to me. Also, three of the four items will be made using second hand or already on hand materials, in keeping with another slow-and-steady habit shift I am undertaking; less new materials, more secondhand AND using the materials I already have stashed away.

all well box top made in a vintage table cloth

Surprising no one who has any knowledge of previous makes, I am adding another All Well Workshop Box Top to my closet, replacing a white Swiss dot box top that became irrevocably stained over the last year. I’ve gushed over the simplicity and utility of this pattern before, so I will spare you, but if you are at all interested in sewing or clean, minimal lines in your clothing, this is for you. Support Amy, she’s just the bees knees!

For this version, I found on eBay a lovely old vintage tablecloth, worn to nearly transparent softness, featuring the most delicate white rose pattern with a barely blush border. I’m looking forward to some creative work with patten placement-my goal is to get a cascading effect, with the roses coming down from the shoulder to spread across the torso.

new cardigan design in fingering weight cashmere blend

This cardigan design represents my first foray into designing with fingering weight yarn, which has been a delight. I’m using Lana Grossa Cashmere 16 , which is a lofty, chain construction cashmere blend. It’s a little hard to find, but it is beautiful. This new design is a bit of a departure from my previous cardigans, as it will have a more swingy construction rather than a fitted band around the waist. And, of course, it will be much lighter weight.

I have already started this cardigan using a few skeins I had purchased last year (trying to use up that stash!). Unfortunately, I didn’t have quite enough to complete the sweater, and am still waiting on my yarn shipment to come in so I can finish. Fingers crossed it gets here quickly!

Anna allen Demeter dress in camel cotton gauze with corset back

This pattern was on my make list last year, and I ended up making one in a dusty purple Robert Kaufman triple cotton gauze. I loved this dress, but it had a habit of slipping off my shoulders, so I have it tucked away to give to my sister, if she wants it. I want to replace it using a slightly different gauze, a thin cotton gauze in a muted camel color. I will be re-working an All Well Box Top I made with this fabric last year and using the rest of the gauze I’ve had in my stash crate since that time. This time, I will make a size six rather than an eight, and I’ll be adding a very nineties inspired twist. I plan to add some eyelet loops down the back of the bodice sewn into two additional mid-bodice seams. I will then create a long cord using the gauze and have a corset-style detail at the back of dress that will allow me to adjust the fit as I like. I’m really looking forward to this project! It will be a fun way to spice up a pattern I already know I love in a fabric that is well suited to the very warm Southern California springs and summers.

humble ridge cardigan (to be released sometime in 2021) in cotton blend worsted

I will likely not get to this project until later in Spring, but it is another one I am very excited about! This is the only project for which I am purchasing all new materials. I am using Knit Picks Comfy in the color Silver Sage. I have had a wandering eye on the Babaa Knit cardigan in Ice Lagoon for a very, very long time. I’ve purchased a No. 19 cotton cardigan from Babaa before, and it was very beautiful, but just extraordinarily expensive. I am all for spending more to buy better and support sustainable, ethical companies…when they are accessible to you. I am also all for making your own when you can, the slowest of slow fashion.

I’ll be using this as an opportunity to make anther sample of my newest in the works pattern, The Humble Ridge Cardigan, pictured here in an olive tweed wool blend. I will, however, be sizing down for this cotton sample, and likely omitting the pockets. My plans for this project are quite flexible, but I am pretty set on making myself a warmer weather appropriate cotton cardigan in this icy grey-blue-green color I love so much. The yarn is on the way! I’ll be sure to add a review of the Comfy yarn in the near future.

Making brings me so much joy, my friends. In a world and a time that can feel overwhelmingly dark and base, I will hold closely and dearly the things that bring me joy, even if they can feel trite. Cozy yarn, beautiful vintage linens, well drafted patterns, and creating new garments simply bring me joy, as do fresh pots of tea, rain on the tin roof of my tiny solarium, a good ghost story, and re-watching Murder She Wrote episodes. May you never, ever deny yourself the small, bright, miracles of living, my fellow joy-seeking rebel dissident makers!

x Nicole