If you’ve been on Instagram and perhaps follow me too then you’ll know that my sewing friend Helen and I announced a new challenge which we’ve set to run from now until August 31st.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN…
It all started a few month’s ago when the germ of an idea started to percolate around my brain. If you know of The Sewing and Design School of Seattle and follow them on IG then you’ll know that Ryliss started off the hashtag #yearofthesleeve. Unusual style sleeve designs have never been so prevalent as they are this year so I began to wonder if it would be good to get people designing their own wonderful creations within the sewing community on IG.
After mulling on the challenge idea for a while I decided to get the wheels in motion and so I asked my lovely friend Helen if she would co-host the challenge with me and she was more than happy to join me. I’ve known Helen of Valentine and Stitch for several months now and we get along so well. It’s been an absolute pleasure plotting and planning with her and we’ve had many a laugh along the way…more on Helen in my next blog post though…
HOW TO JOIN IN AND OTHER DETAILS…
- The challenge runs from now until August 31st
- To sign up: Firstly you must have a public Instagram account…Then simply re-post the launch day graphic and follow the hosts myself @dreamcutsew and Helen.
- Make a garment…any garment…with a creative sleeve design. Use pattern hacking, embellishments like embroidery or beading. Frills, ruffles, lace, cut-outs, pleating….anything goes. Basically. Just have fun and unleash your creativity!
- Posting guidelines- Post photos of your finished garment using the hashtag #sleevefest2017 and also tag the hosts myself and Helen. If you want to make more than one garment you can. Also feel free to upload some in-progress pictures if you want, so that we can see what you’re working on.
Don’t worry, we will be showing you lot’s of inspiration ideas on Instagram to get those creative juices flowing.
MEET THE SPONSORS…..
5 winners of the challenge will be picked at random by myself and Helen to receive gifts from the following fab sponsors:
Run by Ryliss Bod, the Tacoma based school in Washington State, US, offers all sorts of expert sewing tuition in all aspects of construction, fitting, pattern cutting, alterations, fibre arts and design. Skilled tutors like Ryliss herself, Kenneth D King and Lynda Maynard head up many of the classes. The fabulous gift being offered by Ryliss is a pattern alteration and fitting method by Jan Minott author of the Total Pattern Fit, The Minott Method. The comprehensive text is on a flash drive so can be posted anywhere in the world to our lucky recipient.
Founded by owner Linda Podietz, EmmaOneSock is a treasure trove of a US-based online fabric store. Many of the fabrics are ex-designer having been used for sample runs and the carefully curated selection of fabrics is often a reflection of the latest trends. There are lovely knits, brocades, wovens and faux furs, and evening fabrics and denim. You will be spoiled for choice when you spend the $35 gift voucher being offered as the gift from EmmaOneSock
From East Sussex in the UK, Dragonfly Fabrics is an online fabric store that specialises in many gorgeous natural fibres like linen, boiled wool, Japanese cotton, soft jerseys and cotton voiles. They also stock sewing patterns and an expanding range of haberdashery. The lovely prizes being offered by Dragonfly fabrics are two sewing patterns. The Azaire top and dress, by Gather and the Sew Caroline Primrose peplum top.
Another UK store, this time from Brighton. Ditto Fabrics founded by Gill Thornley stocks many end-of-line treasures from Italy and UK fashion houses. You can find beautiful suitings, natural linens, soft viscose and printed cotton, to name but a few. Ditto is kindly offering a £25 gift voucher to spend with them.
Suzy Magazine
This magazine is a relatively new and independent publication. Aimed at fashion forward sewists who want to stand out from the crowd. Each issue is full of up to date and on trend sewing inspiration and interesting articles. Two issues of this magazine are being offered as a prize.
The final prize going to one lucky recipient actually consists of two gifts…
One is from none other than my fab co-host Helen of Valentine and Stitch and the other from wonderful online superstore Sew Essential who stock everything from machines to sewing thread. I will actually be talking a little bit about the two prizes being offered in an outfit post next week.
STOP PRESS! We have another sponsor!!
Sewalicious is a new online sewing boutique selling fabrics, patterns, accessories, haberdashery etc. All aimed at sewing lovers of all abilities. Run by a dedicated team of four comprised of Nicki, Amy, Cath and Pauline. Be assured that your order is in safe hands with a fab bunch of ladies like that. One lucky winner of Sleevefest will receive 3 metres of a fabric of their choice. How fab!
Stay tuned as there will be more posts to come with a Sleevefest theme. And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram.
See you soon!
****Edit…links to V&S and Helen have been removed as they are no longer trading.
Fabulous, can’t wait to start planning! Monika x
That’s fantastic! Thanks for taking part Monika x
That’s idea! I MUST check it! I am looking forward to seeing these projects.
Author
Ooh, it would be great if you joined in Eli cat! I’m sure you would maje something gorgeous x