Dreaming About Making
Illustration, Sewing, and Knitting for Winter Hibernation
This has been a very busy year! Maybe one of the busiest, or at least the most intense of my life (and it’s not over yet!). I’ve had to be very business-oriented this year, putting a lot of time and energy into pattern making because of the expensive endeavor of We Make a Home. While I wouldn’t change a single thing, and I’m so grateful that my patterns have become so beloved by all of you, I am holding on to the promise of winter hibernation for a much needed break.
As I’m sure many other makers can relate to, a break often looks like doing a bunch of projects (😂). But they are personal projects done for true, selfish enjoyment. Another way of saying that is that I’m going to be taking a break from making art by making art.
I don’t normally share plans for projects before they happen, but there’s a particular kind of pleasure in the dreaming phase that I’d like to share with you all today. That said, the projects presented here come in no particular order, and you may not see them made as they appear.
Illustration
Nature Guide
I started a little naturalist diary this past summer as a way to strengthen my plant, insect, and fungi education, bring more sketch-booking into my life, and value the species I was seeing around me. Then, I didn’t really have time to spend drawing in it!
It’s a 2026 priority for me to spend a lot of time identifying the plants found on our new land, especially the trees, so making this book a little bulkier and robust over the winter will make it a great field guide in the spring. I love how quick these drawings are (muji pen & colored pencil)!
Strawberry Moon
I made the difficult decision over the summer to put this picture book dummy on pause instead of trying to squeeze it in between a rock and a hard place. I can’t wait to give it some time in my new studio this winter.
Sewing
Sewing in my personal practice is a lot less all-consuming than working on shop updates or patterns. I usually can sew a garment every 1-2 weeks, and boy do I have a backlog waiting for me. I should note that when I’m sewing completely for fun, I definitely prefer to follow a pattern than to draft something up!
Hurry Home x Rue Coat
This actually is the next project I’ll be working on through November. I’m participating in a sew-a-long to make a quilt coat covered in little house blocks.
This is probably a bigger project than I should take on before the end of the year, but the synergy between building a new house and a couple other secret things in the works was too strong to ignore.
My version is inspired by the warm and cozy feeling of staying home under the deep night sky.
To achieve this feeling, all the windows glow yellow (instead of matching the background as written in the pattern), and I focused a lot on value so that the windows would give the look of a glow.
When you stand outside and look at a glowing house from a distance, the dark exterior of the home is often indistinguishable from the night, which is part of what makes the windows really glow. While of course I still want my houses to stand out, I think that playing with value contrast (low between houses + bg, high between windows and everything else) produces that cozy effect. I also reflected half the houses horizontally so the layout feels more balanced. I won’t be finishing this on schedule with the sewalong, but it’ll be done soon!
The Button-Up Quest
I have been subconsciously on a quest to sew the perfect button-up shirt for my wardrobe almost totally on vibes. I’ve loved a button-up since the beginning! One of my first more complicated projects was the Patina Blouse.
Late this year, I started to evaluate what I’m actually looking for in this kind of garment. I have a couple of thrifted button-ups that I wear constantly, and they held some answers. While I love the Genra Shirt (and have at least another in mind to sew one day), I’m looking for a pattern without a camp collar. The Jenna Shirt has a great collar stand, but the silhouette isn’t right for my vision. I also need good arm mobility, cuffs with a placket, and length that looks intentional.
I evaluated a whole slew of options, and while there are some top contenders I may still try later (Olya, Butano, Cameron) I’ve landed on the Cynthia Blouse by VikiSews. While not from one of the designers I most often lean toward, it has the perfect silhouette! There are so many gorgeous versions of this shirt, and I’m excited to try it. I have a lot of suitable fabric in my stash, but I’m thinking of starting with a 100% cotton embroidered fabric from Fableism. The newly released Rose Raglan also compels me.
The Special Button Quest
This summer I bought some absolutely amazing ceramic buttons.
I immediately bought fabric to match because I don’t want these special beauties to linger in my stash! I think I’ve also narrowed down my pattern picks.
I’ve sewn the Cornell shirt before, though for Emilio, so I’ll be making a different size. The light blue is an (obvious) reference to water for the fish buttons, and I think the pattern will be a great fit.
For the bird buttons, I’m torn between doing something more casual and something a little frillier. If the Cynthia button-up is a win, I may pivot to that, but the Nepheline blouse has been on my list for a while, so it’s a great option too!
Pants & Pants & Pants
There is never a bad time or a bad reason to sew pants. I have more pants patterns on my wishlist than any other type of garment!
Arthur Pants
Arthur Pants are a staple in the sewing community, and I’ve been excited about them for a while. They look super comfortable, but they’re also stylish! Combined with some cozy fabrics, I don’t think I can go wrong.
Coe Trousers
Daughter Judy pants are legendary. My best-fitting pair of pants are Adam Pants, and while I definitely want to make another pair of those, I’m excited to check out the Coe Trouser hype. I have a lot of canvas and bull denim in my stash!
Helios Trousers
I am not kidding when I say I want to sew every pants pattern from Indigo Indigo. Their pants are all great crossovers between casual and workwear, and I love the bold silhouette of the Helios that I’ve seen lots of people sewing!
Knits
Undies
I’m due for another round of underwear! I make elastic-free cotton briefs that are so comfy & high-quality. They’re self drafted with a method I developed in 2023. Some of the less-than-perfect pairs I made while experimenting are ready to be rotated out with some new pairs.
Honey Girl Dress & Top
I honestly wasn’t compelled by the Honeygirl hype in the beginning, and then I just woke up a couple weeks ago and my mind was completely changed. I can’t wait to make a comfy knit dress + the tops will be great base layers to rotate with my turtlenecks.
Ava Top
I love a wrap top, and a knit wrap top is a great layer (and a quick sew). I’m super excited to make one of these!
Knitting
Lakes Pullover
I am primarily knitting a Lakes Pullover this winter! I bought the yarn at Sheep & Wool fest, and have been making quick progress. I’ll be knitting this at least through the winter!
Fuzzy The Hoody Bonnet
…..But, I felt quite tempted to toss a couple small projects into the rotation.
I picked up a skein of Young & Trendy wool yarn to knit a bonnet for the winter (I don’t wear beanies and love something I can wrap around all my hair!).
Bonus: A friend & I have also decided that we’d like to knit and felt a pair of Sailor Slippers together sometime in the new year. This pattern is so cute!
Think I’ll stay busy? Let me know what projects you’re dreaming of making! I’d love to hear.
Wow I just found you trough insta. Love all of your colourful world. I can barely close a hole in my socks so much admiration for all of your skills. I want to be more creative in 2026 too!
Excited to see all the completed projects/dreams when completed! Happy hibernating 🐻