Society of Charm Make 9

Oh my, have I been inactive here over the past year! Many awesome things happened, but sewing wasn’t one of them. At least… not sewing as I envisioned it to write about on this blog. It’s time for a few minor changes here, which I plan to introduce over the coming weeks, and from there hopefully for the rest of the year… let’s hope I find back the time and energy to not only sew a few things, but also write about them!

Last year was (at least in the Netherlands) a year where most covid restrictions got lifted. And to be honest, I think everybody was a bit confused what to do with the regained freedom. The year was full of events, activities and trips, which I all enjoyed so much. It also meant my head was not in the sewing space. In addition to that, I did not have a physical sewing space yet. I moved house late 2021 and my hobby room was a painting/storage room wel into 2022. It’s all fine and understandable, but I do miss sewing a lot. As I follow a lot of makers on social media, I was sometimes feeling dismayed, overwhelmed and even a bit disappointed. Therefore, I decided not to look back too much sewing-wise (but all the more to the beautiful experiences I had!!) and look forward to 2023, a year in which I hope to revive my creativity in my new and awesome sewing room.

One of the creators I have been following and supporting for a few years already is Gretchen Hirsch, or Gertie. She is well known for her super cool vintage-inspired patterns, and I have a very long wish list of patterns I want to make. If you are a Patreon member, you can enter the Discord group, with lots of sewists showing off their creations, helping each other and discussing everything sewing related. Every year she designs patterns around a different theme, and for 2023 it’s ‘Society of Charm’, which sounds promising! Of course I don’t know what patterns are going to be released, but I made a selection of patterns from last year that I would like to make this year, and compile them in a dedicated Make 9 for 2023. Let’s dive into the list!

1. The society dress: Is it practical? No… is it gorgeous though? YES! This is a stretch velours dress with a hood, perfect for lounging at home or feeling fancy just because. A short version of the dress is also given, which is very work-appropriate.
2. Lady dandy waistcoat: I love the look of waistcoats, but don’t own one that has a fit I like. This pattern released in October last year, and I have been drooling all over it ever since. If I manage, I would like to combine it with an edwardian walking skirt for extra drama.
3. Caroussel dress: cute and simple! This dress looks like a perfect basic piece with a bit of extra flair to me. It can be made with or without the flounce, I will decide later which one it will be.
4. Ginger sailor pants: Another one of those items I have been waiting for! There are many patterns with the sailor pants look, but most just attach two rows of buttons to the front of a normal pair of pants and call it a day. This pattern has the actual front flap, and that’s why I really want to make a pair.
5. Artist apron dress: Another pattern that has multiple variations available. Long, short, with or without pockets… more like an apron or rather like a cute summer dress… I will have to decide which version I want to make, but I will figure it out when I get there.
6. Midge breton top: At first, I wasn’t really excited by this pattern. Just a slightly baggy shirt with a pocket… but the more people showed their versions, the more I wanted to make one (or a few) myself. That’s the good thing about the Charm Discord group I guess!
7. Lizabeth raglan top: Another pattern I didn’t know what to think of at first, but the longer I looked at it, the more options I see. It is a perfect pattern to play with patterns and solids, or to make one with a closure down the front.. I would like to make one and see where it goes.
8. Joan wiggle dress: A very interesting and stylish pattern. with two different neck lines and also an option to make it as a blouse. I don’t necessarily want to make one in fancy sequin fabric, but I imagine it will be suitable for daily wear in a solid colour or a nice pattern.
9. Charlotte beret: I love wearing berets, and I love stash buster projects. This is the perfect combination of the two, so I will have to look for scraps of suitable fabrics to make a few of those for next winter!

I think this list is attainable and balanced. Although it contains four dresses, one of them can be made as a blouse and the rest of the items are very suitable for day to day wear. Let’s get started, I’m looking forward to 2023!