it’s 2026! Time for the Make Nine 2026 sewing plans. I use my own Make Nine grid, available for free download (see the bottom of this post). I have planned both summer and winter sewing projects with this make nine planner, and typically I sew more than nine but the planner helps me focus.
To start off, I always sew a Nikko mock turtleneck in some bright color in January. I do this because, well, it’s gray in January, and it’s an easy project with a good win. Half the time I do not use my serger, just my sewing machine and you can do that too. Use a narrow zigzag stitch on the seamline first, then a wider one in the seam allowance next to it. Use the lightning stitch for stretch hems on the sleeves and bottom hem.
I am going to make at least one swimsuit – I bought the Aalto from Papercut several years ago, it’s a color blocked crossover front one or two piece suit (with varying levels of coverage on the two piece). I have started but not finished a Boca Bay suit from Greenstyle and I really just need to finish it. I have it cut out and partly sewn in white swimwear fabric (I have experience and tips on working with all white swim.)
Keeping with the summer theme, I am going to sew a two-piece set from my own August bandeau tube top this year, plus cropped wide leg pants. The August is a free download, and you can get it at my downloads link at the same time as the planner. It is blouson so it hides a multitude of midsection fluff, and looks great. Knit or woven, with a contrast panel in the center back or front, perfect for lace (back), or contrast fabric (front). You can even mix knit and woven in this! It’s also a great scrap buster. I wear them with Truelove strapless bandeau bras (I am a 36 DD).
Keeping with the track pant theme, I may sew the wide leg crop pant with a reverse-bound seam edge with the miles and miles of bias tape I inherited this year, the tip is from Caitlyn Snyder (caitsnydsews) on instagram, I’ll post a link when done. I also plan a pair of pintuck projects, including the Hadid from Ready to Sew. This one uses pintucks in lieu of the stripes to create an upscale track pant. All hail track pants this year! I added another track pant insipration from Donni, a Los Angeles-based company in my second make nine. I might end the year with three pair of track style pants and I won’t be unhappy one bit!
I have the Free Range Slacks to sew too, and this one also has a side panel perfect for contrast – I bought some lightweight striped denim, and I’ll make the side panel crosswise stripes for fun.
Two bags are on my list, one, from a book called Making Bags which I’ve owned for over 20 years, features using men’s ties (similar to this shape here) for the ties, and this will be my plan for 2026. The other is the Ferris by Sallie Tomato. Three sizes of this one, I’ll make the biggest.
I always need shorts, and I have some stretch cord in bright colors from years ago, to sew my favorite shorts, the Pietra. Cord? Well, yes, it’s babywale, bottomweight and cotton. Why not? My favorite shorts in one of my favorite fabrics. I also have two Simplicity brands sews this year, one the S8922 pants with details at the hem, in stripes, and ME 2058, a colorblocked quilted coat. I have some wool pieces that are smaller and this is a great use of those.
I always like to use up scraps so a scrap tee – I use the boxy Antero Shell pattern from Sew Daily but any boxy tee you like will work. Just randomly scrap it and have fun with it.
I’m sure I’ll change my mind on a few of these, but it serves as a good base to start with and I really felt the collage visual (which I also printed out) worked for me. I sketch my planner but I used the collage for inspiration.
I sew more than nine each year, and on the list is a Carmindy denim pieced jacket from Tauko magazine, another Tauko top using gingham fabrics and probably at least one more pair of barrel leg ME 2033 pants for winter in French terry. I love the easy shape and the wave pattern on the pants. I might even make a top this time (I have made the pants twice and the top once.)
The scarf in there is inspiration for using up yarn I’ve had for 25 years. It’s a wool, self striping, and I decided adding mohair would be great, so I will get myself to my LYS and buy some mohair, and knit myself a very oversized scarf (likely a 2×2 rib) in this bright self striping yarn (colors as shown in the example photo.)
My second part of my Make 9 2026 is below. Why a second one? I participate in a Make 8 challenge with my LFS Seams Fabric, and they will give you fabric for your 9th if you sew 8 from their fabrics! But they have rules. You must use at least 2 yards of fabric, so shorts don’t count. They don’t carry swimwear so my swimsuit fabric from stash doesn’t count So I added onto my Make 9 to include items that I know would fit the criteria AND bonus some are patterns I also bought from fabric at their store!
The additional patterns are the Rebacca Page Poncho – she isn’t selling this any more and has closed her business. Hot Patterns has one called the Glamour Poncho which has a snap front turtleneck that is also wonderfully dramatic and cozy and has the same tapered rectangular shape. The second pattern is the Hot Patterns Serape Sweater, another cozy topper. The last three are all tops/dresses – the Remy Raglan, the Augusta Shirt and Dress and the Emerald Shirt and Dress.
Get your own copy of the planner here: