Season 32 went by so fast! We can hardly believe it is time for the final round! Our top three designers are competing for final placement this week and the scores are determined by 1/3 public voting, 1/3 scores from a panel of past designers, and 1/3 Celebrity Guest Judge scores.
Panel of Judges
We have our three most recent winners comprising the panel of judges this season! Click on their names to visit their Instagram pages or click on the season to see their winning looks!
Candice of @sewing4wildflowers
Season 29
Shyra of @__aka.yuri__
Season 31
Celebrity Guest Judge
We are so excited to welcome our Week 4 Celebrity Guest Judge! Her experience and expertise will be such a help as we determine our final placements!
Caroline of Threads by Caroline
Threads by Caroline is a Swedish sewing pattern brand founded by Caroline Mannegren and based in Sweden. The company specializes in modern, easy-to-follow sewing patterns accompanied by detailed step-by-step tutorials designed to help both beginners and experienced sewists create well-fitting garments. With a focus on making sewing enjoyable and accessible, Threads by Caroline empowers customers to build their skills and feel proud of the clothes they make.
Theme
As always, our final theme is…
Signature Style:
Design a look that best represents your own unique style, taste, and sewing skills.
Designs
Broadway Bound – Angie of @andsewshesings
Oh my goodness, Week 4!! Trying to define a Signature Style for myself was a challenge, so I focused on a few things that always hold true for me: sew with purpose, be inspired by things in my family’s life, and most importantly, create pieces my tweenage daughter loves and feels confident and comfortable in. Before I was invited to participate in Project Run and Play, we’d booked a spring break trip to NYC, our kids’ first visit to Broadway. I had plans to sew for 3 shows, but when PR&P came along, I cut that down to just 1, CHESS (chosen because it starred Lea Michele and because its Playbill, which provided our 3-tone color scheme, was the only one to include the color pink!). So not only was our Week 4 look inspired by a musical, it was inspired by a musical we got to see last week on Broadway!!
I love making full tulle dresses for special occasions, but since we were flying with only carry-ons for luggage, I had to think more compact – a mini dress! The bodice began with Leilani from Vintage Little Lady. I raised the neckline a bit and split the sides of the bodice, creating seams to accommodate a self-drafted, draped bow (inspired by Lea Michele’s wedding dress). Using Ivy from Wild Seeds Patterns as a baseline, I created the skirt to have front darts for a tailored look, and to be gathered slightly in back to attach comfortably to the back bodice elastic. I added a colorful zipper for ease of dressing, and a nice pop of pink…a detail that is consistent throughout our look, breaking up the solid black and white taffeta.
Next, I constructed a removable overskirt to add a little drama. Garance from Wild Seeds Patterns acted as a guide for me to draft a cascading, high-low skirt to elevate the mini dress. I made this flowy skirt to have an elastic back with snap placket for easy on/off, as well as hidden sew-on snaps to securely attach the waistband to the dress (because taffeta is so slick!), and finally, pink inseam pockets. While the wind was not our friend, we did manage a few photos that nicely show how the skirt falls into an elegant black and white design.
I’d promised a bag each week during the competition, and for finals we chose Daisy from Vintage Little Lady. Such a chic little bag! I changed up the bow, adding a seam allowance around it when I cut it out, and then folding and sewing rather than doing a rolled or narrow hem. This made for a quick, clean finish and an adorable bow. I used a matching pink zipper and my daughter strung some more beads, giving a nod to one of her favorite songs from the show. With some fabric leftover, I brainstormed about other accessories and ultimately drafted a color-blocked bow wrap, which we love paired with the mini dress.
Designing and sewing this outfit for my Broadway Bound girl was the perfect finale to our musical-inspired weeks here in Season 32!!
Cherry Pop – Shelby of @noworries.sewhappy
Wow, week 4 of Project Run and Play is here and I’m still slightly in disbelief that I am here! This week’s theme “Signature Style” was by far the most challenging theme for me. I spent way too long contemplating what my “signature style” was. When I think about sewing for my kiddos, I try to stick to pieces that they will wear to school or the park or wherever we are headed for the day. My kids are rooted firmly in the “it must be comfortable if I’m going to wear it” phase, so that always plays a part in what I sew. I would describe my style as “Elevated Casual.” I also love playing with prints and pattern mixing.
For this week, I wanted to make pieces that were eye-catching but also very wearable for my seven year old daughter. I started by creating the pants from the Little Lizard King Rowe pattern. I wanted to combine two sizes of red gingham so I added side panels with oversized pockets. I also chose to do a regular elastic waist instead of the paperbag waist. My favorite part of my look is hands down the denim pullover. (Let’s be honest, I want it in my size!!) I decided to use the Peekaboo Patterns Kid’s Anorak pattern for the base. I have been seeing fruit prints everywhere and decided to lean into that! I used a Foundation Paper Piecing pattern to create the cherries and bow on the back. I also added a sweet message with hand embroidery to the front saying “stay sweet.” I thrifted this denim awhile back and love how it pops with the red accents and red top stitching. I also added grommets to my hood for some extra visual interest.
To finish off my look, I sewed up a basic tee in a cherry print. I love the cherry print with the gingham pants and the subtle nod to the cherries on the jacket. I also sewed up a little bag for my daughter. We picked out patches to put on it so it’s perfectly her. She promptly filled it with fruit snacks and spent the photo shoot sneaking them out. Last but not least, a little headband made out of the same material as the shirt pulled the whole look together. Now I’m wishing I was as cool as my kid.
Mini Boss – Julie-Michèle from 5Flos
Since the beginning of the competition, I’ve been able to guide my kids in their choices with each theme.
But when I saw the Week 4 theme: “Your own style”… total blank!
My style? What even is my style?
I searched, I thought about it… nothing.
So I sat down with my youngest (who had just won rock-paper-scissors against her brother to be the final model), and laughing, I asked her:
“What do you think my style is?”
She answered so simply:
“Well mom… easy! We’re going to use LOTS of colors!!!”
We looked at fabrics together… and suddenly, everything became clear.
She kept saying:
“Oh I like that!”
“I want that!”
“That would be so pretty!!”
And that’s when it hit me.
My style… is my children. They are my inspiration, my clients… my mini bosses.
She told me:
“I want pockets!”
“I want purple!”
“And pink!”
“And yellow!”
“PLEEEEASE mommmm!”
So my mind started going in every direction to create an outfit that would live up to her expectations.
I started from the Jalie 3355 pattern for both the top and the pants, but I made significant modifications to create a unique and cohesive design.
For the top:
• added a full-length zipper
• created a full front and back colorblock, designed to feel fluid and dynamic
• modified the hood
• added and adjusted pockets, based on my client’s very clear requests
For the pants:
• reworked the pockets
• added a cargo pocket with a utility strap
• integrated a coordinated colorblock to match the top for a cohesive set
Every seam line was thoughtfully placed to create movement and visually connect all the pieces together.
To complete the outfit, I added a simpler t-shirt to let the set breathe.
A small colorblock detail at the chest… because even white deserves its little pop of color.
And because an outfit is never complete without accessories… it NEEDED a bag!!!
I used a pattern that I customized to echo the colorblock lines of the outfit. I added a matching cargo pocket to push the concept all the way through the smallest details.
And of course… a Mini Boss label from 5Flos.
Because in the end, that’s exactly what it is. They are the ones who decide, who choose, who dream… and I bring their imagination to life in my little “magic room”.
This project took me through all the emotions: doubt, stress (a lot), excitement…
Because this theme seemed simple… but it was actually the most challenging.
Today, I am so proud. Not just of the final result, but of the whole experience.
Of this incredible opportunity. And most of all… of this moment shared with my children through sewing!
Because in the end, my style is them, is their freedom to create, and is color!
Because I love when it pops, I love when it feels alive, I love when it’s joyful…
Because in our home, it’s full of life, always moving, bursting with color…And I try to put a little bit of that magic into everything I create. 💛
Sponsors
Our sponsors have generously contributed to preseason offers and prize package contributions. We can’t wait to share the incredible prize packages all ten designers will be awarded on Friday!
Criteria & Voting
As a reminder, our judging criteria 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.
PLEASE only vote once per person!