It’s time for another exciting season of Project Run and Play!!! Since we only have three designers competing, there will be no eliminations, but we still need YOU to vote! Public voting accounts for 1/3 of the total scores each week to help us determine the final placements at the end. The voting poll is at the very end of this post.
We are so excited to kick things off but first, a few reminders…
Sewalong
We brought back the sewalong this season! Project Run and Play is supposed to be all about the kids clothes sewing community and we want to welcome even more participation! All of the sewalong details are in our introductory post HERE.
Theme
This week’s theme is a great way to kick things off!
Play Ball!
Be inspired by your favorite sport or athletic activity, and make a look that works off the field!
Does, this theme spark inspiration? If it does, sew it up and enter our sewalong!!!
Celebrity Guest Judge
1/3 of the scores will be determined by our weekly celebrity guest judge. This week’s expertise is provided by Angie of Greenstyle Creations!
Angelyn Bennett is a sewing pattern designer for Greenstyle, where she has been creating patterns for 14 years. A mechanical engineer by training, she brings a precision-minded, technical approach to garment design—translating the structure and problem-solving of engineering into patterns that fit and function beautifully. With 49 years of sewing experience behind her, Angelyn combines a lifetime of hands-on craft with professional design expertise, giving sewists patterns that are both thoughtfully constructed and a pleasure to make.
Panel of Judges
The remaining 1/3 of the scores comes from a panel of judges comprised of past designers. They know the ins and outs of this competition, so they lend unique perspectives.
Shyra – Season 31
Hi everyone! As much as I loved competing in Season 31, I’m so excited to be back; this time as a judge. After my day job, you’ll usually find me behind the machine designing under my brand, aka-yuri. I enjoy blending street style with soft, detailed elements, playing with texture and contrast. I know how much heart goes into this process, and I can’t wait to see your creativity come to life.
Marie – Season 30
Hello everyone, my name is Marie. I am originally from France and have been living in Western Canada for the past 11 years. I am also the mother of four children.
I was introduced to sewing from a very early age, as my mother is a professional seamstress. For many years, however, I set it aside, not fully appreciating it at the time and feeling self-conscious about wearing handmade clothing that stood out from others.
After moving to Canada, I found myself with the time to take on a new challenge and decided to learn how to sew. Since then, I have continued to develop my skills every day, with the goal of creating garments that are not only visually striking, but that also reflect each person’s personality, lifestyle, and preferences—always with a strong emphasis on quality and precision.
I am honoured to serve as a jury member for PRP this year and look forward to discovering the work of this year’s talented participants.
Candice – Season 29
Hello all, my name is Candice Schoffstall and I am a stay at home mom to three amazing kids. Sewing has been my creative outlet for the past eight years and I love experimenting with different textures in my designs. My mom was my biggest inspiration in picking up sewing and I’m proud to continue her legacy through my work. When I’m not stitching up something new, I enjoy capturing my creations through photography. You’ll also often find me hiking or paddle boarding with my family soaking up the great outdoors together. Since competing in Season 29, I have gone on to design for Vintage Little Lady and I am currently continuing my formal drafting education.
Designs
Now it is FINALLY time to reveal this week’s designs! Read the brief description of each one and cast your vote at the end!
Beach Volleyball – Myriam Fournier
As soon as I received the first theme, I knew exactly what to do: a 100% beach volleyball look. Being a huge volleyball fan, I couldn’t have chosen anything else. Luckily, my daughter loves this sport and was really excited about my idea.
I sewed the outfit using athletic knit and boardshort fabrics from Club Tissus, giving the outfit a lightweight and highly breathable feel. I used patterns from Petite Stitchery, except for the visor, which is from Sofiona Designs. My top is based on the Elowyn top, with a fun, colorful colorblock design added to the front. The shorts are based on the Wyatt pattern; I kept the leggings underneath but redesigned the outer panels into rounded, overlapping sections finished with bias binding. The jacket is based on the Murphy vest but has been reimagined with a higher collar, a front zipper, and eyelets added to the pockets for a funky touch. I also added a binding bottom finish as a reminder of the design of the shorts. For the ball (my biggest challenge of the whole outfit!!), I used treated canvas, a durable fairly thick fabric, and drafted my own pattern based on a commercial volleyball ball. Since I used essentially the same colors as the outfit, it coordinates perfectly with the whole look. Finally, I added some labels from 5flos.creations for a unique touch to my project.
I hadn’t planned on sewing so many pieces for this first week, but there is nothing superfluous; every element has its place and contributes to the cohesive whole. I’m quite proud of it.
Sunday Club РFr̩d̩rique Morin
For this first week, my little athlete and I had so many options to choose from. We ultimately decided on a little golfer’s outfit, since he is just starting out in the sport. To start the outfit, I selected the Théo Polo by Petite Stitchery, which I made in a jersey. I added a color block across the chest as well as sleeve cuffs. I also selected the Grady Pant by Sew Little Seam, which I made on canvas. I slightly modified the fit and added a leg cuff detail along with bias tape. I especially loved playing with bias tape stripes (my passion!) and little pops of color throughout the different pieces to create a cohesive visual thread.
I then added a visor and a golf bag, both made from denim. For the visor, I selected a free adult pattern by Tony Allen Bernier and completely modified it to fit the size of my little golfer. I completed the outfit with a small waffle knit jersey towel. As for the bag and the towel, they were truly freestyle: trial and error, with lots of improvisation! I started the base of the bag using Menta’s Bucket Hat pattern, and things quickly spiraled into this creation.
I finished everything off by adding labels and a membership card inspired by SUNDAY CLUB.
The final result is a little retro, colorful, and playful golf world, entirely designed and handmade for my little golfer.
On Track – Jennifer
This week’s theme involved creating an off-the-court look for our favorite sport. Considering both my husband and I and my brothers were all collegiate track and field athletes, all currently coach it and 3 of my own children participate in track, I couldn’t not pick that sport! It would go against who I am, so here we are! I chose to sew for my 13-year-old daughter this round. She loves track! I wanted to create pieces with a track vibe but that she could wear out and about or at school.
I started with a basic wide leg pant pattern by FabrikPatternLine sewn up in deep burgundy linen with lavender floral track stripes for a sophisticated color scheme. The track stripes start mid pocket and curve in a little at the hem for interest. I also added a curved split opening at the hem of the pants that follow the curve of the stripe. I drafted a new waistband to look like the wide band running shorts that are popular these days. The waistband has a little ruffled edge as well. I also drafted some gathered pockets finished with bias binding.
The racerback top is made of nylon taslan fabric used for running shorts and a bit of spandex for coverage and is completely self drafted. It mimics a racerback track uniform top, but I added a double layer of playful flounces along the arm openings and back for a flirty look. The sides have the same curved slit hem line as the pants. The oversized jacket, also made of nylon taslan, is my daughter’s favorite piece! In fact, I may wear it around myself. I loosely started with Violette Field Threads’ Winnie jacket pattern, but really has no resemblance now, as I added a hood lined in a pop of burgundy with track lavender floral track stripes down the middle, lavender floral drawstrings, brought up the neckline, added a zipper that is hidden under another flirty flounce, gathered large pockets, more flounces at the arm seam and some extra subtle track stripes down the arm. To top the look off, I created a little bag inspired by a spike bag that all track athletes tote their racing shoes in to meets. Of course, it needed a little padded bow charm as well. I wanted her to have something to hold all the things a teen girl needs. I’ll be posting more details on my instagram @jpressgrove, so make sure you check it out!
Sponsors
All of the designs are incredible!!! Before we get to the voting, we want to thank our sponsors!
Judging Criteria
As a reminder, here is the criteria we ask our judges to consider when scoring each look…
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?
*Were patterns significantly altered or self drafted?
*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?
Voting
Please vote only once per person. Voting is limited by IP address. The poll closes on Thursday, 9/10 at 8pm EST and results will be announced on Friday morning.