2024 Sewing & Knitting Plans ✨

[@sarahjanesews]

I love the idea of that coat in a dark forest green - such a beautiful colour! Like you, I often go to the ballet in the cheap seats, but last year I was treated to a performance of Romeo & Juliet in the front row at the National Ballet of Canada, and it was incredible. A completely different experience when you're able to appreciate the dancers' expressions and their movements up close. I'm sure you'll have an amazing time!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Oh wow! Romeo & Juliet is my favorite ballet - what a dream to be able to watch it up close 😍

[@Dianne-ut5vr]

Happy New Year. What wonderful plans! Yes it is so difficult to keep to one project or hobby, I sew all the time for work and my hobby but I also love to read, draw, paint, blog, video etc. As you say so little time☺. I really look forward to seeing what you make for the ballet. I also love the ballet and we went to see Giselle late last year for our wedding anniversary, I hope you have a fabulous time. The white fabric was my favourite for the mini skirt, have fun.

[@TheFrenchSiana]

I'll be happy to watch any videos from you this year! :D I love your style and the joyful energy that comes through everything you put out on KZbin. I can't wait to see how all these projects go for you, especially the dressing gown because that fabric is gorgeous!!! For me, I'm starting slow on the crafting side this year since I'm focusing on moving house at the end of this month, but later in the year I really want to try my hand at making shoes with one of the I Can Make Shoes kits!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Oh, thank you so much! Making shoes looks fascinating, I'll check out that kit! And good luck with your move soon 😊

[@Anna-2]

Petiteknit has 2 textured sweaters that I really like, "Storm sweater" and "Ingrid sweater". They are crew necks but maybe you can just do a bit less ribbing for the neckband if you don't like it too close. I also have started (and have to restart :( Because I made a bad gauge decision) the Wavebreak sweater by Rachel Illsley, it has a really cool lace/ mohair texture detail on the yoke and it is really fun to knit. You sort of knit a this lace mohair panel, and behind it you knit a stockinette panel with your normal yarn, and then you join them together again before continuing with regular stockinette, so the section with lace is like two layers of fabric.

[@Anna-2]

Also Provence top by Ekaterina Vorobeva is a nice easy lace pattern that looks really good. It's not a sweater but a top, although you could make the sleeves longer if you wanted.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

All of these patterns look so interesting, thank you for the recommendations! The Wavebreak sweater looks especially lovely, but oh my, it sounds complicated! Good luck!

[@madebykarenmarie]

Lovely plans, Sarah! Can't wait to see what you make. I think the grey suiting would look so nice as a mini skirt. Goes with everything, too :) I don't really set many creative goals, but I would like to work on my patience in seam ripping a little more. Work on getting nice finishings and taking my time to redo things in stead of rushing to finish.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

That's a great sewing goal, clean finishings are so satisfying 😊

[@denisem9407]

Bella Loves has a great French-style jacket, Freddie, that goes with the skirt and the off-white wool tweed would be great for both. Her jacket instructions tell you to interface the body to prevent sagging which would solve the problem of working with a loose weave with some see-through. She's also great at answering questions and offering recommendations, Adore her patterns. So chic.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Yes, I've seen the Freddie! It's always such a pleasure sewing Bella's patterns that I am very tempted to try that one too even if I think it's a little too boxy for my taste.

[@denisem9407]

@@Sarah_Naomi French style jackets do tend to be a bit boxy, so I taper mine it at the waist and make a few other small hacks for a more flattering shape. It's definitely a style choice, though.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

That is a great idea, I hadn't thought of tapering a jacket like the Freddie. Thanks!

[@maureencapobianco3596]

Happy new year to you as well! I enjoyed hearing about your plans and what life is like living in France. We visited southern France last summer and had a fabulous experience.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you and I'm so glad you did!

[@SJ_Makes]

Your sewing plans sound lovely! I'm currently trying to plan out my makes for the year, especially for our honeymoon.The Anna Allen Pomona pants look great on everyone too and sound like they meet your requirements. Ah, I love de rerum natura yarns, they are so lovely to knit with! Can't wait to see your makes this year.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thanks for the pants pattern recommendation, I didn't know this one! And I hope you have a lovely honeymoon in your handmade clothes 😊

[@SJ_Makes]

@@Sarah_Naomi Thanks so much! I've seen many linen versions that look really nice.

[@bravelittlebuckaroo]

I love how joyful and excited you are in this video. It's lovely to see! I hope to do a lot more garment sewing this year, as I've been mostly focused on quilting recently. Most pressing at the moment is my son's wedding next month, for which I am going to try to make the Style Arc Belle Dress. (I have just downloaded the pattern and the instructions are extremely sparse, so I am nervous!) Can't wait to see what you do this year. All the best! 💙

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you so much! Quilting looks so interesting, I hope to try it one day too. Good luck sewing your dress for your son's wedding, and what a joyful event to be sewing for!

[@sharosmith]

I’m new to your channel but I love it already! The wedding dress videos were fascinating , thank you for sharing them ❤

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Oh, thank you so much! I'm glad you like the wedding dress video series, I'm working on the last one now!

[@yolanda7664]

Swimsuit options....have you seen Tiily & the Buttons one piece option? It is so cute! It's called the Coralie, I think it would look so cute on you and it has a low back. 😊

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you for the recommendation, I'll check it out!

[@Seesewk]

I too am going on a Jean making journey. I love the I am patterns beginner jeans wide leg ankle length - thought it would make me look like a clown and was surprised that it looked quite chic! Now just to unpick and redo the zip section which I stitched too close to the top and top stitched! But I really love both the jeans as it goes with another beginner pattern - I am Gaston knit fleece jacket. Good luck and happy new year.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

I'm so glad that your jean project was a success! Happy new year to you too 😊

[@loreliemiller628]

The off white tweed or the white fabric both would be lovely! Looking forward to seeing how you make your night gowns!

[@wlmcfarl]

Love the white cotton for the skirt. I, too, have a two size difference between waist and hips. I made the Free Range slacks and quickly gave them away. The back of them made my bum look HUGE. YMMV Good luck. You have some lovely things planned as per usual. ❤

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Oh my goodness, thank you for the Free Range Slacks warning! 😂

[@evasaker2476]

Thankyou for sharing all your lovely plans and happy new year to you as well! I love your videos and the vibe you present, a calm lovely energy and I’m so glad to hear that you’re excited to continue making them! I started my sewing year by finally making a patchwork jacket from a pattern I’ve had for quite a long time. It was the best time as I love patchwork clothes! But it turned out too big 😕 The interest in it on social media was huge so I sold it and started another one, AND got a request for a third one that also is sold now. Will I ever get on for myself? 😅 I’m having a ball though as I love it 🥰

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoy my videos! I've never tried patchwork, but it looks so intricately interesting and I'm glad that the versions you made that didn't suit you appealed so much to others! I hope you'll be able to make one for yourself soon!

[@tleanvasner6866]

this dress really goes with your eyes, very pretty!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Oh thank you!

[@janwolf980]

Sarah, I've never seen your channel before. Thx for sharing your 2024 sewing plans. And congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. RE: my choice for you for your mini skirt sewing project -- I recommend the woven cotton as my 1st choice and the creamy boucle tweed as my 2nd choice. I agree with you; I think the tweed is a bit too formal for a casual mini skirt. Your first instinct of using the tweed for a blazer is definitely what I would recommend. Regardless of which fabric you use for your mini skirt, I would recommend you making a toile first since you would be working with a new pattern. Good luck!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you for your message and welcome! I agree, a toile would be wise before working with a new pattern!

[@Seesewk]

Loved your fabric choices.

[@soniahinson6372]

Thank you Sarah for another delightful inspiring video. I love the colour and design of your new knitting project. I have just finished knitting a cardigan, jumper and hat in a lovely soft merino wool for my grandson who lives in England. The cardigan had some fair isle, which I found really challenging, as it was years ago when I last tried it. But I do love the look of fair isle. Have you thought of looking at 1940's patterns? I think they would suit you.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you so much! Those are such lovely gifts for your grandson and I love the fair isle style, I'll have to try it soon. I have checked out 1940's patterns and they're lovely, but I think I prefer softer lines, especially around the shoulders! Although 1940's tea dresses are so pretty 😊

[@estilobyelizabeth]

Looking forward to seeing your plans come to life! I really love the night gown idea, and creating more wearable staples for at-home. Happy new year and thanks for your lovely presence on KZbin!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you so much and Happy New Year to you too!

[@estilobyelizabeth]

@@Sarah_Naomi Also there are so many amazing swimsuit patterns out there mow so you'll have plenty to choose from. The Cottesloe from Megan Nielson comes with a one piece that sounds like what you're describing and it's an amazing pattern. There's also the Faye from Closet Core. Such a fan of both!

[@chlomo2618]

That sweater pattern, and the swatch you've done, look so gorgeous! I don't knit, so I could be way off here with this suggestion, but the Whitmoor Cardigan by Ami Lowden has a really beautiful lace pattern at the top, and as a cardigan you can undo the first few buttons so that it's not too high necked. It would be so lovely and versatile in a soft white. I'd go with the cotton fabric for the Dulce skirt; it sounds like the most practical option given your requirements, and it's the one you're the most excited about. They would all look good, but i think the tweed would be trickier to work with, and the herringbone would read more business than casual (though really nice too). See how it goes in the cotton for the first version, and if you love it and it works well, make the others. I'd choose a slippery lining that's also breathable and feels good against the skin so you can wear it year-round. I'm excited to see you progress through these exciting plans this year.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Oh yes, I recently discovered the Whitmoor Cardigain and it looks so nice. I think I will definitely try making that one. And thank you for weighing in on the skirt fabric choice, I think you're right!

[@CaroleBernier-v9f]

Bonjour Sarah, j’adore écouter tes vidéos. J’avais hâte de revoir ton tissus fleuri acheté à Nappori de de savoir quel serait ton projet de couture. C’est d’ailleurs ce vidéo qui m’a fait te connaître. Je serai au Japon 2 semaines en mai 2024 et j’irais faire des achats à Nappori assurément. Merci de nous partager tes expériences couture, tu m’inspires beaucoup. Bonne Année à toi.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Merci et j'en suis ravie ! Passe un très bon séjour au Japon et j'espères que tu trouveras des trésors lors de ta visite à Nippori !

[@robinhatton5602]

I love watching you with your fabric! Its a love only fabric obsessed people can understand! 😆 All of the mini skirt fabrics would look fabulous, but the white will be stunning! you could use like a "Scotch guard" spray on it to help prevent staining or make cleaning easier..?? And I vote Dark green for the coat! You've made me want to go browse through "Bella Loves Patterns"! And I am on the same goal path to sew *mostly* from the stash this year!! we can do this! 😅

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Oh, I've never heard of "Scotch guard", I'll check it out, thanks! I'm so glad we share a love of appreciating different fabrics! I may have just placed an order for more... but they're all aligned with my second resolution to sew more basics!! 😂

[@jennistevenson796]

The By Hand London Sandeep dress might have the kind of structure you want for your dress for the ballet. I love Opera Garnier, it is soooo beautiful.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Oooh, that is indeed a very beautiful dress pattern. Thank you for the recommendation!

[@LisaFaiss]

You might be able to get some good knitting ideas from “And Sew On”. She has been featuring some very nice knits with high end materials. She also is interested in haute couture sewing. I love the Japanese embroidery. I have materials for it but have only dabbled with it on swatches.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Yes, I love Lisa, I've been a big fan for years! Thank you for the recommendation 😊

[@cynthiatennant9896]

Hi Sarah, great plans for 2024. I would use the grey for the skirt. I don’t think it would be too dressy for daily wear and I think it would be a good stable in your wardrobe that would work for years to come. I find that white is not good for skirts or pants for me personally, it’s to hard to keep up. I would use the white cotton for a causal style jacket. That being said I hope whatever you decide it works good for you 😊

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you for your advice! Yes, I think that the grey wool fabric would make a great skirt and I do have reservations about making it in the white cotton. Thanks for watching and happy 2024!

[@anitacollingwood4224]

One of my sewing goals this year is to find a colour palette that works for me. I love lots of colours and prints but I bring new fabrics home and realise very few go together, so whatever I sew won’t be cohesive in my wardrobe.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Yes! It's so hard to differentiate collecting beautiful fabrics for their colors and prints versus actually putting them to use and making them work. The struggle is real!

[@paulamattsson8583]

Hi Sarah, I just got The Roman Holiday with Audrey Hepburn vibes when you showed that beautiful fabric you are planning to sew for the ballet, I think you would look absolutely fabulous in something 50s style dress or a skirt,you have such a petite frame so you can basically wear pretty much everything. I can also see you in something more Chanel style jacket instead of boxy blazers ,you are very classic ,(with that I mean clean lines) ❤all fabrics are beautiful

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you for the recommendation! I love Audrey Hepburn's style and a 50's style dress or skirt is a good idea for the floral silk twill fabric. I think you're right, I think a Chanel-style jacket would be more flattering than a blazer on me too 😊

[@hannahauden8521]

So many great ambitious projects! I love it! Gosh, talking about swimsuits reminds me that I promised I'd make a supportive & functional one for a friend this year. She's very petite around her rib cage but has a slightly fuller bust for her frame so really struggles in this area. I'm excited to try but definitely feel like I have my work cut out for me!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

That's such a kind gift! Like undergarments, having a bathing suit that fits well is such a good feeling. She's very lucky to have you!

[@hannahauden8521]

@@Sarah_Naomi aww thanks so much! I've heard stories of how difficult it can be trying to find RTW bathing suits that fit snug around the band but also support a larger bust so it kind of became my "challenge accepted" moment haha.

[@TayaSews]

Apologies for this giant comment, I've just watched all of your videos this week Sarah - we have so much in common and your work has inspired me a lot! I so enjoy your videos and I know this channel will grow, if you decide to set that as a goal for yourself. I am also 2 sizes bigger in the hip than waist, I practice ballet in my spare time, and I sewed my own wedding dress inspired by the tutus from Giselle :) do you ever take class when you travel overseas? I've found that to be extremely fun despite feeling a bit awkward. Have you sewn any attire for class? I think that beautiful blue/green fabric which you love is an organza jacquard, that might help in your searching. On colour - I'm a colour analysis nerd and I strongly suspect that we have the same undertone. You mentioned in a prior video that pink sometimes works on you and sometimes doesn't - if you search google for True Summer palettes you'll see the range of pinks which is likely to work best. Some of the palettes available online are a bit odd but I think the one from ElementalColour is accurate and really is your palette :) Everything within that palette will look good with other colours from the palette - light pinks which are blue based, raspberry reds, sage greens, lavender/lilac purple and of course blue and white. (I see that your fabric stash is pretty much already in this palette!) One request, could you always let us know what pattern you're wearing in these videos? Good luck editing the final wedding dress video!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you so much for your kind words and it does sound like we have a lot in common! No, I've never tried a ballet class while traveling, how brave you are! I am extremely shy in class and even just going to my regular, familiar studio is an exercise in self-confidence 😂 I did sew a ballet wrap skirt once and it serves me pretty well, but I also made a pair of stretchy shorts in a double-knit fabric and I wear them all the time to class to keep my sensitive hips nice and warm. I made both of these by copying rtw garments I had, so I don't have any patterns to recommend, but maybe I'll mention them in a future video! Thank you for the fabric type and color palette recommendations, that's such a big help! Yes, I'd be happy to mention what patterns I'm wearing in these videos! In this one, I'm wearing the Sew Over It Estelle dress in a stretch velvet fabric. I'll be showing this one in more detail in a future round-up of my winter makes 😊

[@a.guerra2139]

Bonne année, Sarah. You are such a lovely young woman. You redeem your generation!!! You actually have an hourglass figure, be very happy about that. You probably want to try out high waisted skirts and slacks... not the kind that tuck up to your bustline, but a little higher than you may be used to, to accentuate your small waist, and great shoulder/hip proportions. I'm curious about your schedule. I don't know how you get everything done. I am a tailor and a knitter, and I don't get half as much done as you. You've inspired me to delve into French. I can read it as well as English, but I don't understand when I hear it. Something to work on. Keep up the great work ... as long as you're enjoying yourself.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Bonne année to you too and thank you for your kind comment! For my schedule, I think I'm very fortunate to live in France where the 35-hour work week allows for a better work/life balance. But I'm sure it looks like I'm much more creatively productive than I am! If you're looking for something sewing-related to listen to for practice understanding French, I highly recommend Monty's podcast at Ose Toujours ! of Ose Patterns. It's a calm and slower-paced podcast and the topics are really interesting 😊

[@a.guerra2139]

@@Sarah_NaomiOh, my gosh, I love Ose Toujours! I have to play the video at 75% speed, but I understood about 75-80%. I am thrilled!!! Thank you, so much, for the recommendation. I'm so pleased!!!!! Anne

[@Sarah_Naomi]

@@a.guerra2139 I'm so glad! 😊

[@gli3247]

Hi Sarah! I think you would love the Tea of Heaven pattern by Joanna Ang /joangknits on Ravelry. It's a subtle v-neck raglan pullover with a lovely lace detail

[@Sarah_Naomi]

That pattern is so lovely indeed! I didn't know this pattern designer, thank you for the recommendation!

[@mariamurray7675]

Regarding your skirt, I think one of the lighter fabrics would be a nice option. Both are beautiful but I think I'd go for the tweed if you can stabilize it. Pairing the skirt with a Chanel-style jacket would be lovely. Could you share the name of the sweater pattern and designer? I'd like to see if I can find it on Ravelry. Good luck with your creative plans for 2024. It sounds as though you have some lovely plans to look forward to. You're enthusiasm has inspired me to get organized with my plans.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

I'm glad you like the tweed! I'll have to look for ways to stabilize it - I'll need those techniques no matter what I make with it. The sweater pattern is Diskan by Solenn Couix-Loarer

[@mariamurray7675]

@@Sarah_Naomi I’ll look forward to seeing the results. Thanks for the pattern information 🙏 😊

[@mariamurray7675]

Ha! It’s already in my Ravelry favourites. Like you, I love the texture and the neckline looks lovely. Sometimes the actual sweater doesn’t turn out the way it looks in the pattern photos. But the finished versions I can see on Ravelry for this pattern all look great. Good luck with it!

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Haha, thank you!

[@lillaslojdboden5217]

Such an inspiring video! So many projects and so little spare time, I feel you... Have you checked out Sari Nordlunds knitting patterns on ravelry? She has lots of lace and texture.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Yes, I've just started following Sari Nordlund and her patterns look really beautiful, I'll have to try one soon!

[@kekeight]

❤

[@tleanvasner6866]

imo, the best video on color seasons (if you're interested in one) is Confused about SEASONAL COLOURS? Here's all you need to know by StyleMeJenn. she explains everything based on three main color characteristic: value, brightness and temperature, with examples on different celebs and very methodicaly, I'd say I don't think you need any prior knowledge, but if something is difficult to understand - she has more videos on the topics also the good part about her videos is that they are usually rather short - 10-15 minutes, so it won't take a lot of time to learn at least basic topic of color seasons there're in general

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Thank you for the recommendation! I'll go check it out 😊

[@sophiemaetz4798]

Bonjour, pour ce qui est du tricot en dentelle il existe un tuto de Rosery Apparel sur un pull vintage (kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2qaoaWnqNOtrrM). Sa première version (rose) est moins boxy que la seconde. Il se tricote à plat en dentelle "Feather & Fan".

[@Sarah_Naomi]

Bonjour et merci ! Je ne connaissais pas encore ce pull et en effet, son style vintage est très intéressant 😊

[@shan-gn3ey]

Why not make a peplum style blazer, I think that would really suit you

[@sandrarekker585]

@sarah Chanel inspired jacket (it's on my list too) Vouge V7975; tailoring video kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJ2WiWatn7mNZ7c there's another youtube video that I can't find from a few years ago, on how to alter the sleeve of V7975 for more of a Chanel look.

[@Sarah_Naomi]

That Vogue pattern looks really interesting - there are so many styles to choose from! Thank you!