Season 32 has been so much fun already! We have a talented pool of ten designers with a wide range of sewing aesthetics. While they all deserve to continue, it is the nature of the competition to narrow the field as we progress. After voting closes at 8pm EST on Thursday, we are going to add up the public votes from the first two weeks – the top six will advance to Week 3 and the bottom four will be eliminated. So make sure to cast your vote in the poll at the end to help decide who will sew next week!
Theme
Major Details:
Make your look all about a special detail: quilting, pintucks, pleats, or something else that makes it stand out!
This week’s theme focuses a little more on specific sewing techniques so we expect a wide variety again as the designers choose elements that best suit their sewing skills.
Designs
Bows and Blooms – Jackie of @countryseams
I come from a long line of quilters, both of my grandmas, mom, several aunts. I even made my first quilt when I was nine years old so it was only natural that I chose quilting as my major detail. Despite having sewn a handful of quilts, I have never worked with quilted fabric before let alone made my own quilted fabric. To add another layer of difficulty, I used a combination of knit and woven to create the quilted fabric.
I started my quilted jacket by creating the “winter flower” quilt block using a tutorial I found on A Bee in My Bonnet’s blog. I then made my quilted fabric with lavender French terry and a floral cotton woven. I used Peekaboo Patterns Yosemite jacket as a base for this project. This pattern was almost exactly what I envisioned so my modifications including the flower quilt block and a gently curved back hem may appear minimal. However, the biggest change was making the jacket reversible without lining it. To do this, I used flat felled seams on the floral side to enclose any raw edges which included hand stitching the sleeve seams. I also hand stitched pockets on the floral side to cover the stitching from attaching the purple pockets. My little girl loves that she can choose which side she wants facing out and has “secret pockets” either way!
I had spring in mind when I designed this outfit and created my color palette, pulling colors from the floral fabric. For the pants, I used Bebekins Patterns Jayden, a fun design with side slits and cute bows. I used narrower elastic and added a paper bag waist. The top is Peony Patterns Apple Berry Tee. I wanted to continue with the bow theme, so I split the sleeve cuffs, made them slightly wider, and added ties. The butterfly label from Shine Bright Label Co. adds a touch of spring as well. Now if only spring would come! Despite all my spring inspiration, it can’t seem to quit snowing.
Springtime Heirloom – Cassandra Pierce
I was so excited and inspired by the theme this week. I love all the small details that pull a garment together and make it unique. I’m often very inspired by heirloom sewing and techniques.
For my look this week, I created a bodice with a slightly modified Lily pattern from Sunflower seams in a stunning pink lawn from Farmhouse Fabrics. I altered the fit slightly to allow more fullness in the blouse. My daughter was particularly excited about the color and stated that it was her favorite color! I incorporated tiny pintucks on the sleeves and front of the bodice and added some lace to the sleeves and neckline.
The skirt was self drafted in a lovely white linen from Knitfabric.com. My favorite feature I added was the honeycomb smocking on the front of the waistband. The skirt also features a double tiered skirt and more pintucks on the top tier. The skirt is extra poofy, making it the perfect skirt to twirl through the spring!
Two if by Sea – Angie of @andsewshesings
For Week 2, I tried to think beyond my typical go-to details, and to incorporate the musical my daughter is in this week…Finding Nemo Kids. My Nemo didn’t want a bright orange dress (too Halloween), so we thought of other water-related shows, landing on Anything Goes with its two-stripe sailor vibes. I wanted a clean, minimalistic look that would be recognizable and make the stripes shine!
We saw an A-line sailor dress that Vintage Little Lady’s Dulcie was the perfect base for. I added princess seams, squared off and removed the flounce from the collar so it would lay flat, and added VLL Sienna sleeves. I drafted gathered side panels for the skirt and made a button tab to cinch in the back for the cutest silhouette. I carefully measured, used my trusty glue stick, and slowly stitched two parallel stripes of navy ribbon around the collar and hem.
Some navy twill in my stash became a coat with inverted colors to complement the dress. Modifying the Thistle coat from Southern Magnolia, I cut back the front overlap, deepened the armscyes for extra room, and added welt pockets to break up the solid navy. I brought the neckline up and lengthened the coat to ensure the dress wouldn’t peek out. I paired the navy twill with a nautical cotton print, and created facings to elevate the finish inside the coat and sleeves. For the closure, I found a single gold button with an anchor in a jar of buttons I’d been given. My girl loved it (so aesthetic) but doesn’t love messing with buttons, so I hid sew-in snaps behind it. The two ribbon stripes continue here in off-white, circling the sleeves and bottom hem.
I wanted a dainty little tote I could add rope handles to to fit our nautical feel, so I sized down Vintage Little Lady’s Armani. I moved the pocket to the back and sewed up 4 extra bow middles to create loops to thread the rope through. Both pocket and bow received the two-stripe treatment. For the hat, I started with the Marguerite Beret from Wild Seeds Patterns, modified it for a more narrow look, and added a hat band so it would sit a bit higher. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to match the dress or the coat, so I made the hat reversible to match both, trimming each side with ribbon to top off our dual stripe sailor look!
Color Pop! – Julie-Michèle from 5Flos
The theme for Week 2 is “Major Details”! Since color is often very present in my projects, this time I wanted to give it an even bigger spotlight.
So here is my project: Color Pop!
I have five children and they all want to take part in the contest to cheer me on and help me! I’m not exactly sure why, but this theme inspired me to create an outfit for one of my boys. Creating a big WOW effect with boys’ clothing can sometimes be a real challenge… so if I’m going to enter a contest, I might as well add an extra challenge!
For this project, I used patterns from Jalie and Sofiona Designs, proud sponsors of the contest. For fabrics, Minifra and Petie Pelure helped bring my idea to life, and the 5Flos label adds the little touch that makes all the difference.
The highlight of this project is the colorful patchwork on the sleeves and inside the hood. I assembled several pieces of fabric in different shapes, sizes, and textures to create a dynamic and funky composition.
French terry is the main fabric, but quilted fabric and fleece were also used to add richness and texture to the design.
I also made sure to respect the colors chosen by my son… his little modeling contract had to be honored!
To enhance the texture, I sewed the pieces together using the flatlock technique on my serger, which makes the seam lines stand out and adds an interesting graphic effect.
The base of the hoodie comes from the Jalie Laurent #4131 pattern. I added a black zipper to the front to create contrast with the white body and modified the hood shape. I also lowered the sleeve cap slightly to create a more relaxed, dropped-shoulder look.
To complete the outfit, the pants are based on the Sofiona Designs Railway Joggers pattern. Instead of using the traditional moto patch at the front of the pants, I chose to incorporate this detail into the entire side panel.
I used a black denim knit, which was perfect for this technique and pairs beautifully with the rainbow colors of the sleeves. The pleats add a subtle but technical detail without stealing the spotlight from the hoodie.
Color Pop is an outfit that celebrates creativity, color, and movement. Every detail – sleeve, hood, pleats – was designed to bring fun, energy, and comfort, while highlighting the unique style of a child.
And between us… seeing my little model smile while wearing this colorful outfit is simply priceless!
Blush Cloudfall – BJ Benson
For the Major Details challenge, I wanted to focus on creating a design where the detail itself became the entire visual statement. Instead of using traditional elements, I chose to explore volume and texture through an abundance of soft, cascading layers.
The high-low skirt was self-drafted. I designed it to have movement and dimension through layer upon layer of airy fabric, arranged to spill down the back in a soft cascade. As the layers gather and fall, they create a cloud-like effect that gives the garment both depth and motion.
The bodice is an adaptation of the Florentina pattern by Sunflower Seams Pattern Company. I lowered the back bodice v detail design and added a few layers of cascading ruffles to carry the detail through the entire garment. A rhinestone trim was added to the waist as a sparkling accent to highlight the silhouette and bring a touch of glamour to the look. I paired the look with an oversized Sailor Bow (Heather) from Sunflower Seams Pattern Company and styled it with white cowboy boots to add a playful contrast. The finished piece, Blush Cloudfall, celebrates texture, movement, and the beauty of letting a single dramatic detail define the design.
A Dress Fit for a Tween – It’s in the Details – Haley Bolton
This week, with details in the spotlight, I chose to applique my own banana leaf print onto a rayon/linen sundress. I began by drawing out my leaf design and then placing each piece using applique adhesive. I trimmed each leaf along the way with bias tape. It was a tedious but rewarding job! Then, I chose to add quadruple piping to the waistline with coordinating exposed zipper.
For the bodice, I used Violette Field Threads “Kate” as a starting point, dropping the neckline a touch and adding the applique pieces coordinating with the skirt. I drafted my own back bodice piece to create more of a bold look for a tween. I used the same quadruple piping for spaghetti straps and continued them down the back of the bodice, attaching them at the bottom instead of done traditionally at the top. I top stitched them all along the back to achieve the desired effect.
This week’s theme motivated me to create a dress using ideas and techniques I’d never done before. Overall, the back detail was my favorite part of this project, and I plan to use this design for more dresses this year!
Blooming in Style – Angelina
For Week 2 Major Details theme, I designed a fun, sporty-casual outfit. My focal point centered around the most adorable and colorful crocheted flowers. Crochet is another hobby of mine and I thought why not combine with my love of sewing. These flowers added texture, personality, and a unique touch that celebrates creativity and springtime charm.
The outfit features a cropped top paired with wide-leg pants, creating a comfortable yet stylish silhouette perfect for an active little one. Fir the top I used the Little Lizard King Julian as the base. I created a hi-low crop line and added a thicker waist band. I also added fun distressed stripes to mirror the distressed details on the pants. For the pants I used the Lowland Kids Wide leg pants as the base. I altered the back by adding a fun twisted bow-ish detail as well as distressed the pockets. I hand sewed crocheted flowers to both top and bottoms as well as the bag. The cropped top keeps the look modern and light, while the wide-leg pants add movement and ease, making the outfit both fashionable and practical. I self drafted the bag that can be used a a purse or backpack, because what little one doesn’t need a matching bag. The crocheted flowers were also added to complete the look.
I chose a palette of bright, fun spring colors that bring energy and joy to the design. I used pink stretch linen from Kiki Textiles for the pants and the ivory floral terry was from Fabric Fabulouss. The crocheted flowers complement these colors beautifully, while tying the whole outfit together.
Overall, the goal of this look was to combine playful details with a sporty, casual vibe—creating something that feels fresh, youthful, and perfect for spring. My sweet little model brought the outfit to life, showcasing how handmade details can transform a simple silhouette into something truly special.
Dreaming of Daisies – Becky Rigby
The moment I heard the theme for week two, this outfit bloomed fully formed in my mind and refused to leave. When I think of details, I think of the intricate and the delicate—so naturally, the embroidery threads had to come out. Lily had asked for a jumpsuit, but I already had a clear vision of what I wanted to create.
For the bodice, I used Little Lizard King’s Arendelle with the sweet heart cutout, then drafted my own waistband with a ruffle that wraps around to the back. The pants are the Jacaranda trousers from Peony Patterns, chosen for their beautifully wide leg. I added a small placket at the back to make dressing easier and to help the bodice close neatly. Since it’s still rather chilly here in England, I paired it with a Peony Patterns Thistle Tee—the puff sleeves complement the flutter sleeves perfectly.
One of my favourite touches is the embroidered patch pocket. Lily adores it; any spot to stash her secret treasures is always a win. For the embroidery, I used Peony Patterns’ Primrose design, stitching it across the front neckline, back neckline, the pocket, and even the self‑covered buttons.
Hand embroidery is such a labour of love—it took hours upon hours to complete. But it gives a garment that heirloom quality I treasure. I can never bring myself to part with anything I’ve embroidered; the time and care stitched into each piece make them feel too precious. I don’t often take the time to embroider anymore, which makes this outfit especially meaningful. It’s something for Lily to enjoy now, and one day, I hope, for her own children to wear.
💚QUIET ARCHITECTURE 💚– Sophie Magico
This look explores clean structure, fluid movement, and subtle asymmetry through a minimalist silhouette. Working with a soft viscose–linen blend allowed the garments to maintain light structure while still moving naturally with the body. The muted sage tone reinforces the understated design, allowing the shaping, pleating, and layered details to become the visual focus.
The top began with the Laramie pattern from Little Lizard King and was modified to create a more architectural silhouette. The straps were widened for improved balance and proportion, and a center front pleat was added to introduce controlled volume through the bodice. The hem was redesigned with asymmetrical layered ruffles to create movement and visual interest, contrasting with the otherwise clean, structured lines of the garment.
The trousers are self-drafted and feature front pleats, back darts, and a straight-leg silhouette designed to complement the drape and movement of the top. Careful shaping through the waist and hips provides structure while allowing the viscose–linen fabric to fall naturally through the leg. Together, the pieces focus on proportion, controlled volume, and thoughtful pattern modification to create a look that is modern, balanced, and refined.
Patchwork Sweetheart – Shelby of @noworries.sewhappy
As soon as I saw the week 2 theme, I knew I wanted to incorporate quilting somehow. Then I came across denim jackets that combined quilted sleeves, and I was immediately inspired. I wanted to build the rest of the outfit around the jacket, and show that even basic pieces can have special details.
For the jacket, I used the Peekaboo Patterns Kid’s Denim Jacket pattern. I loved the lines and classic cut of the pattern. I used foundation paper piecing to construct all the sleeve blocks. It was my first time constructing multiple quilt blocks and boy was it a lot of work. On the back panel, I used the same block as the sleeves but in a larger size. When I was sewing up the jacket, I realized how important of a detail the top stitching was. I spent a fair amount of time with my seam ripper until I was immensely proud of my top stitching. Gold snaps finished off this one of a kind jacket. I can’t help but feel giddy when my daughter puts it on.
Even though my jacket is the detail packed star of the show, I wanted to pair it with pieces that were elevated basics themselves. For the pants, I started with Little Lizard King Tulum. I adjusted the pockets to be slightly over sized and added a sweet pocket ruffle. I also finished them off with a ruffle at the hem and added grommets to make the drawstring functional. For the t-shirt, I used Sunflower Seams Dogwood, but of course, it needed to have a special detail of its own. I gathered some fabric that matched the collar and shaped it into a heart. It’s the sweetest detail on an otherwise plain tee. To finish the look, I used scraps from my quilt blocks to make a handy little cross body bag for my daughter.
Sponsors
We want to take this opportunity to thank our Season 32 sponsors! Each of these generous businesses contributed to preseason discounts and/or prize packages that will be awarded at the end of the season. Please consider supporting them when you are looking to purchase patterns and supplies.
Criteria + Voting
As a reminder, our judging criteria (to be scored by a panel and celebrity judge in the final two weeks) are as follows:
Overall Look
*Is it a cohesive look? Do the pieces go together?
*Does it have a good overall design aesthetic?
*Styling (accessories, photo shoot, etc)
Creativity
*Did they think outside the box within the confines of the theme?
*Creative use of materials:color combos, different fabrics, techniques, notions, etc
Craftsmanship
*Attention to detail: seams match, no puckers, drag lines, buttons evenly spaced, etc.
*Degree of difficulty in sewing
Wear-ability
*How’s the fit? Any issues—too big, too small, too loose, too tight
*Is it age appropriate for the intended activity?
*Can the child wear it without being uncomfortable?
Keeping these criteria in mind, choose the one that you think did the best job in the poll below.