The field has been narrowed to our top 4 designers. We’re excited to be back with their Week 3 looks. After this round, one more designer will have to go home, so be sure to give your support to your favorite look! The theme for week 3 is:
Rise to the Occasion: Recitals, spring holidays, weddings, and more…dress it up for a special occasion!
Along with the public vote, and a panel of judges, 1/3 of the score will come from a Celebrity Judge. This week, fashion designer Wayne Hwang is stepping into that role. We love following Wayne for his fun take on fashion for himself, his wife, and his kids. Let’s meet him!
Wayne started his career as a professional fashion designer, showcasing collections in NY, LA and Miami Fashion Weeks. Now, he enjoys sewing costumes for his wife and kids, including tailored suits, evening gowns and even ball gowns for toddlers. Wayne’s known for translating various inspirations into children’s designs, including fairytale characters, pop culture icons and historical figures.
If you’re inspired after seeing these looks, we have a Sew-Along every season, and you can sew to win an amazing prize from Brightside Fabric Co! Sew for this week’s theme, or any other theme from this season, and join in on the fun. You don’t want to skip this one. Also, our Outer Space Ties and Sunshine Scrunchies & (Rain)Bows patterns are on a flash sale this week. Perfect for dressing up any outfit. Just $3 each, no code needed!
Now we’re excited to share all the designers looks! Voting will be open until Thursday evening at 8pm EST, so please be sure to chime in with your vote at the bottom of this post!
E Lan – A Roma Holiday
The other week, I had a dream that I came up with the perfect Project Run and Play outfit. It was somewhat lucid because the details were clear and at the time, made complete sense. When I awoke, I was sorely disappointed to recall the dream’s “winning outfit.” I had sewn up a red dress with a tomato theme, appliques and all. Needless to say, I didn’t sew it up; however, while frantically shopping for this week’s challenge, I stumbled upon a piece of tomato fabric and as I held it in my hands, I couldn’t resist the possibilities of incorporating it into this week’s outfit and making my dreams come true.
This week’s theme is Rise to the occasion, and even though I wanted to create an outfit that was sleek and formal; I also wanted it to be very comfortable and cool. My desire was for her to be able to freely enjoy a holiday without being confined or constricted by the frills of princess dresses, but very much being sophisticated as one could be. In fact, the outfit made me think of the movie Roman Holiday; a movie about a princess escaping her royal duties to enjoy a full day in Rome.
The roma-ntic shirt was created mashing three different patterns together. I used Gus and Steel’s simple Tee shirt as the base, Peony Pattern’s Apple Berry Tee’s sleeves, and the bow from Jilly Atlanta’s Penny shirt. The pants and jacket were sewn using a ponte-like fabric. I used Petite Stichery’s Kirby Blazer; I decided to shorten the blazer’s length to give it a more cropped look. As for the pants, I used the Big Kids Wide Lounger Pants from Brindille and Twig, which I modified slightly to add length. Lastly, a holiday wouldn’t be a holiday without shopping, so I made her a tote bag using Chalk and Notch’s Sun Tote pattern.
Marie – Spring elegance : A Little Girl’s Timeless Style
What a surprise and a pleasure to still be here for week 3!
This week I decided to not let the weather challenge me and go for outside photos. Well… Weather still won. With 42° I have to thank my little princess/warrior for being so brave.
Juniper from Sofiona Designs was my first choice but I decided to make some modifications : I added a piping on the neckline to make it look like a Peter pan collar. I love the back with it’s 2 big bows. The first is in white to be the continuation of the collar. The 2nd is pastel pink as the main fabric.
I added scalloped hem to give it a classic look and I embroidered and added beads to the waistband.
Embroidery is one of my other hobbies, and it was a pleasure to do it without previous planification.
I completed the look with a cozy ivory wool cape lined with a cute cotton woven printed with bunnies. The nice drape give a vintage-inspired touch.
This ensemble is a perfect balance between classic elegance and youthful innocence.
Week 3 is also the presentation of my 3rd kid and I really hope that you will give me the chance to sew for my 4th one and only son.
Amber – Dapper Little Gent
Last week, I shared my passion for crafting sophisticated and classic special occasion dresses. However, for this challenge, I wanted to break free from my usual creative confines and truly “Rise to the Occasion.” This time, I chose to design a stylish look for my youngest son! He was so excited to model his mommy made look! As we began to put it on, he repeatedly asked, “Mommy, you made this for ME!” He even asked if I made his socks! Spoiler alert: I didn’t.
To bring my vision to life, I used a combination of multiple patterns from Little Lizard King. For the white button-up shirt, I utilized the Bayfield pattern and a classic white cotton oxford shirting from Core Fabrics. Although I didn’t modify the pattern pieces themselves, I revised the construction method to ensure all seams were fully enclosed. To achieve this, I employed various techniques, including welted and flat-felled seams.
Next, I turned my attention to this stunning blue wool and viscose blend, also from Core Fabrics, to create the pants, vest, and hat. For the pants, I utilized the Anderson pants pattern. In addition to revising the construction, I redesigned the pockets and added a fashionable cuffed hem for an extra touch of flair. For the finishing element, I selected the Benton vest pattern. Here, I made substantial modifications to the vest front, including alterations to the neckline and waistline, and introduced a chic double-breasted design. To complete the ensemble, I crafted a matching bowtie from my own design and topped it off with the chic Beccar Hat.
Now, my Dapper Little Gent is perfectly attired for the Easter holiday, poised to be the best-dressed guest at any upcoming weddings!
Laura – Magic at the Yule Ball
I thought long and hard about what occasion was special enough to me to create a gown for. I didn’t want it to be anything ordinary, and then it clicked—a dress inspired by one of the most enchanting moments in the wizarding world: Hermione Granger’s Yule Ball gown. This dress, with its ethereal charm and magical essence, has always made a significant impact on me, as it is one of the most iconic scenes from my all-time favorite movie, and I wanted to capture that same spirit in a design of my own.
My dress features a satin base and three layers of chiffon that move as if touched by magic, reminiscent of the graceful world of wizards and witches. Each layer flows with an effortless grace, capturing the essence of a magical evening. Adding to this enchantment are the delicate flowers I carefully placed and hand-sewed onto the gown. These floral accents bring a touch of nature’s magic, enhancing the gown’s whimsical allure and adding a layer of intricate beauty.
The bodice of the dress is where the magic truly comes to life. Hand-beaded with meticulous care, it represents a spell bursting forth from my daughter’s beautiful heart. Every bead is a testament to the love and creativity that went into crafting this gown, symbolizing the magic that lies within us all. The bodice was crafted using a modified version of the Venice pattern from Little Lizard King, which provided the perfect foundation as it does not contain side seams, and the corset back adds an element of interest that provides the perfect touch of grace, ensuring a fit that is both elegant and enchanting. To achieve the perfect silhouette, I combined a self-drafted skirt (well worth the hours spent gathering, pinning and sewing!) The skirt flows seamlessly from the bodice, creating a harmonious balance that is both elegant and whimsical. The self-drafted sleeves add a touch of sophistication, completing the look with a nod to the classic wizarding fashion.
Creating this dress was not just about fashion; it was about capturing a feeling, a moment, and a memory. It’s a reminder that we all have the power to rise to any occasion, to embrace the magic within us, and to create something truly extraordinary. This gown is more than just fabric and beads—it’s a celebration of imagination, love, the timeless allure of the wizarding world, and the readiness to twirl all night long!
Didn’t they all do an amazing job? Try your best to pick a favorite from the poll below. It will close at 8:00pm EST on Thursday, 3/27/25.