The moment we’ve all been waiting for is here! Our six designers have been designing and sewing their best, and have created a look with the theme:
Checks and Gingham: Classic or whimsical, these playful and versatile prints make us think spring!
Along with the public vote, and a panel of judges, 1/3 of the score will come from a Celebrity Judge. This week Diana Rammell of Raspberry Creek Fabrics is stepping into that role. Diana has been a long time supporter of Project Run & Play, and always has plenty of check and gingham options in her shop. Let’s meet her!
Hi! I’m Diana Rammell, the owner of Raspberry Creek Fabrics. I’ve been sewing since I was 6 years old! When teaching me to sew, my Mom did not take it easy on me. My first sewing project was a jean jacket! All that topstitching!
I started Raspberry Creek in 2010 and could never have imagined what our corner of the sewing world would turn into. We have THE BEST fabric and sewing community out there.
Fun facts about me. I grew up an only girl with 4 brothers, 7 if you count my brother-in-laws too. Despite all the manly influence in my life, I turned out a very girly girl who loves pink and dresses. I’m a Wyoming small town girl, who has secretly always loved the city. Breakfast food is my love language. I could eat breakfast food for every single meal of the day and it would never get old.
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 Tip Top Pattern is on a flash sale this week, it’s a perfect base for gingham and checks! 40% off, 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!
Marci – Picnic Play Date
When I first heard checks and gingham, I immediately thought, Picnic! And that’s what helped inspire this design. This outfit ended up being perfect for a spring Picnic Play Date. I started with the skirt, and built the rest of the outfit off of that. All pattern bases I used for this look are from Boo and Lu Patterns. I used Cedar skirt as a loose base, modifying the waistband, and just using the back skirt piece, mixed with their Wildflower, tulip front, skirt. I added ties and left one side disconnected, so it can be a fun half wrap skirt. And since my girl, Ivy, is very active, I added the shorts from Nova skirted leggings. This beautiful yellow gingham is from LBK Printing Co., in bamboo cotton spandex. The cheery label is from Shine Bright Label Co.
Next up is the top. I used Ivy’s favorite top from this past summer, Plumeria. It’s a swing top, so I drastically took the sides in to have much more of a straight fitting top. But, since she loves the looseness of the top, I didn’t make it form fitting. I also added a little bow, to tie in my Picnic Play Date look. The fabric is bamboo spandex from Nature’s Fabric. Since spring time has so many different temperatures, I used Swan wrap. I added the sleeves from Emerald top, I felt it needed more of a bubble type sleeve. I wanted something she could wear open or closed, without ties getting in the way, but I also love the cross over look. So, I added the waistband just the width of the bodice, and added buttons instead! It will be perfect when she’s playing at the park. That was made out of cashmere sweater knit from Knitfabric.com.
Lastly I made a quick little picnic blanket out of softshell from Nature’s Fabric, and the perfect checkered picnic fleece from Joann’s. It will keep us dry, and in style! I hope you like this look, and find some inspiration for your own Picnic Play Date in Checks and Gingham!
Amber – Timeless Spring Reverie
Springtime in the Midwest is undeniably a mixed bag when it comes to weather. One day, we might be hit with a blizzard, and just a few days later, temperatures could soar to over 70°F (a true story from this past week! 🙂). With such unpredictable weather, layering is essential for any spring look around here!
Gingham fabric, with its timeless charm, makes the perfect canvas for showcasing the beauty of hand embroidery. For this embroidery design, I drew inspiration from several digital art images and combined them to create the exact look I had in mind. A sweet little bunny and a spring floral wreath were just what I needed for this self-drafted pinafore. Without any button closures, the pinafore simply slips over the head and ties at the waist. The decorative scalloped stitch along the flutters and the pintucks on the skirt add a touch of charm and timeless detail. Beneath the pinafore, the dress combines elements from the Kensington and Melbourne patterns by Little Lizard King for the bodice and cuffed sleeves. For a bit of extra volume and puff, I added a double skirt with a ruffled hem.As for the coat, I found this stunning plaid tweed in the softest shade of blue and paired it with a coral red gingham for the lining. However, this week’s theme is “Checks and Gingham,” not “Plaid and Gingham,” so I got a little creative and used the reverse side of the fabric as the right side to achieve the look I wanted. Please, don’t report me to the sewing police! 😉 I modified the Noelle pattern from Violette Field Threads by omitting the princess seams and adding a detachable bow to the back. I absolutely adore the details—the welt pockets, sleeve tabs, and pleated skirt all come together to make it truly special. To bring the entire look together, I drafted a large hair bow and it was the perfect icing on the cake to complete this Timeless Spring Reverie. For more details and pictures, be sure to follow me on Instagram!
E Lan – Urban Picnic
This collection includes an outfit and accessories perfect for exploring the urban setting and enjoying a spontaneous picnic whilst in the city. Even though spring is around the corner, there is still a slight winter chill in the air, so layers are essential. The core of the outfit includes the Lowland Kids Dolman shirt modified with longer short sleeves and an elasticized bottom band. I applied heat transfer vinyl cut outs of ants because what is a picnic without ants? The cardigan is also from Lowland Kids. I really wanted the cardigan to provide a more draped look, so I reduced the gathered appearance by lengthening the neckband and bottom band as well as hemming the sleeves instead of adding cuffs. Additionally, I added patch pockets with woven bias tape.
The gingham pants from this outfit are from the Style Arc Bob pants. Although Style Arc does have a kid pattern called the Bobby pants, I like the barrel legged style of the Bob pants more. So, using a projector, I was able to resize the Bob pants, adjusting its size to a printed out pair of Bobby pants. The projector allowed me to create a mini version of the Bob pants wonderfully.
Lastly, the Urban Picnic collection contains two accessories: a Docker Beanie from Merchant and Mills and a bag from McCalls.. I used a scrap piece of Pendleton wool from the Wooly Mill store in Portland, Oregon for the Docker Beanie. I have been hoarding this piece that was too small for most projects, but just enough for a warm hat. The finishing accessory is a bag from McCalls 8307 pattern, which I quilted. I had to trim the pattern down a bit in order for it to fit a child more comfortably. Inside the bag, I’ve included a mat, which is simply rectangular pieces of fabric and batting. Although it’s simple, the mat is important for urban picnicking, allowing one to take a break anywhere and anytime.
Laura – Tea for Two in Gingham
Tea party for two please! This week I knew I wanted to draw from the whimsical side of gingham, taking a piece of both fashion and imagination. I envisioned not just an outfit, but an experience that would transport us to a Renaissance-inspired springtime garden. Thus, a tea party in gingham was born! Blending classic patterns with the freshness of blooming greenery. As a base, I started with the Siena pattern from Little Lizard King for the bodice and their Morgan pattern for the sleeves. I added my own charm to this fitted bodice which gracefully transitions into a self-drafted, double-gathered circle skirt adorned with ruffles and tiny floral details, capturing the very essence of a blossoming spring garden. To add a pop of color to the subtle gingham print, I designed a darling apron with delicate floral embroidery, ensuring every detail, including the bow, was perfect.
Now, no tea party is complete without a companion, which led me to the challenge of recreating this look in an 18” doll version. I aimed for accuracy, down to resizing my embroidery pattern for the apron to fit the tiny scale. Creating this tiny version was as rewarding as it was intricate, allowing me to bring the same level of detail and craftsmanship to a smaller canvas. As fun as this whole look was to create, the best part was knowing how much joy it would bring to my daughter, Remi. Knowing her excitement and that she truly loved the whole idea made the process even more fulfilling!
Let me tell you, I was SO thrilled to get the call to join this season of Project Run and Play! Walking this creative path with five other super talented ladies is such an honor. I’m really hoping that my passion for sewing and storytelling through photos strikes a chord with others. This project isn’t just about the dress—it’s about sparking creativity and sharing the joy of making something truly special. As I keep stitching and evolving, I can’t wait to see how this experience shapes my future projects and the awesome connections I’ll make in this vibrant community!
Marie – Échec et mat (Checkmate)
When I’ve first read the challenge I got scared. Will I be good enough to make something that both stick to the theme and please my teenager ( this is actually the main challenge)?
I knew it will have to be black.
I knew it will have to be sportswear.
I knew it will have to be super cool. And I know I always want to please them so they actually wear what I make them and they come back to ask me for more outfits.
I decided to go with an outfit that blends sporty and street-style elements with a bold monochrome twist.
The black zip-up hoodie is Miss Rose Hip from Sofiona Designs made out of brushed twill and a cotton woven lining. It features a standout black and white checkerboard pocket on one sleeve, adding a graphic edge.
It is paired with flared black Scuba pants that have matching checkerboard inserts at the hem. I self drafted these pants based on her favorite yoga pants, I only added the inserts to tie the look together seamlessly with the coordinated pattern.
The Gingham sport bra is made out of swim fabric that I lined with Powermesh so she can use it either as a sport bra or swim top. It is the Jalie 3247 that I modified by adding the bottom band for a big more coverage.
The band is perfectly straight. I’m sorry that it doesn’t show. My daughter rolled the band when putting it on and I didn’t notice it.
The crossbody bag (Jalie #2024), in the same checkerboard print, serves as both practical and statement accessory.
This look is a perfect mix of comfort and style, ideal for making a statement while staying effortlessly cool.
I’m happy to represent the Canadian savoir-faire with both Canadian patterns brand and my favorite Canadian fabric shop: Fabric + Flow.
Angel – A Sun-Kissed Dream: The Perfect Spring Dress in Sunflower Gingham
Spring has arrived, and with it, the perfect excuse to create something truly magical! I envisioned a dress that captures the season’s warmth and charm—one that feels as light as a breeze and as dreamy as a sunlit meadow. To bring this vision to life, I chose a delightful gingham fabric sprinkled with sunflowers, radiating pure joy. With Cinderella sleeves, a beautifully squared bodice with a shirred back, and a two-layer gathered skirt adorned with delicate trims, every detail was designed to be effortlessly enchanting. From the very first stitch, this dress felt like a love letter to spring!
For the bodice, I turned to my beloved Aurora pattern from Sunshine Pattern Co., knowing it would be the perfect foundation. I reimagined it with a graceful square neckline, removed the princess seams for a softer look, and added the sweetest trims to enhance its charm. The back was transformed to complement the dreamy yoke, and the shirring—done with the help of Sunshine Pattern Co.’s tutorial—was such a joy to sew! I also designed Cinderella sleeves with a delicate yoke, adding just the right touch of fairytale magic, making the dress feel straight out of a storybook.
The final result? A dress that feels like a warm embrace of sunshine and blooms! The layers of the gathered skirt move like petals in the wind, and the sunflower gingham fabric bursts with happiness. Every element came together so beautifully, and I couldn’t be more in love. Seeing it twirl, feeling its lightness, and knowing it was made with so much joy—it’s the kind of creation that makes my heart flutter, and I can’t wait to make even more!
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, 3/13/25.