We love all of the creativity that our designers put into their sewing for Project Run and Play! Last week was amazing and somehow this week might be even better! The scores are adding up since we only have three designers this season, so we still need YOU to vote! Public voting accounts for 1/3 of the total scores. The voting poll is at the very end of this post.
Sewalong
Have you seen our sewalong inspo? We’ve got three prize packages up for grabs so you’ve got THREE chances to win!!! All of the sewalong details are in our introductory post HERE.
Theme
This week’s theme is geared towards the more technical aspects of sewing and inspired by current fashion trends.
Texture & Trimmings
Piping, lace, fringe, brocade, twill, and more. Take your outfit to the next level by playing with texture!
Do you have the perfect fabric or notions in your sewing room just waiting for the perfect project!? There’s no time like the present! Sew up your take on this theme andenter 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 Lakeisha of Sincerely, Shantelle.
Lakeisha is a pattern designer, sewing instructor, and blogger in the California Bay Area. With a penchant for floral prints and color, she is often designing and creating garments from a variety of fabrics, including upcycled and secondhand textiles, to make clothing fun & wearable for herself and family for many years to come. Her approach to the art of sewing is expanding access; no barriers should prevent someone from learning to sew. Anyone can learn to sew, and she helps to reveal this truth one student at a time.
Panel of Judges
The remaining 1/3 of the scores comes from a panel of judges comprised of past designers who all happen to be recent winners!
Designs
Of course you have probably scrolled down to this part, but don’t forget to read all about each design so that you don’t miss out on all of the hard work put into these looks!
The Other Side – Frédérique Morin
This week, I’m bringing you another little boy look. So, no lace or crinolines on the agenda for me this week! We’re staying true to my world… but with a little twist of my own!
I chose a grey denim that I used on both the right and wrong sides of the fabric. I had so much fun playing with both sides to create contrast! I also played with color blocks and outlined it with yellow piping to add a pop of color and an extra layer of contrast. For the jacket I chose Dressy Talk pattern 1150 and completely reworked it: color blocks, hood, pockets and sleeves. I also made the Buffalo Jeans by Petits Dom, adding color block, piping and elastic details to give them even more character.
To complete the look, I chose the Color Pop by Peek-a-Boo. I added double cuffs and a double waistband, along with cyan piping around the color-blocked sections. And because the little details are what make a look special… I finished the outfit with the Menta Bucket Hat, made to coordinate with the rest of the pieces. I added his name for a little personal touch that I absolutely love!
High Fashion Fabrication – Jennifer
I have a background in fine art and a love for couture and high fashion. When I first heard the theme texture and trimmings, I knew I wanted those to be my inspirations for this week. I enjoy stretching my creativity on occasion to create pieces that are out of the box, something you wouldn’t find just anywhere and feels more like art or high fashion. That was my goal for this look, to create something special for my tween to wear to weddings or the annual awards gala for her competitive gymnastics team.
I started by creating a base dress out of 2 layers of organza and 7 layers of cream and 1 layer of light blue tulle (Yes! 10 layers total!). I used Violette Field Threads’ Maude pattern as my bodice block, but then drafted everything from there starting with a more A-line shape. I ditched the zipper back that Maude offers and turned the back to a single piece with a rectangular opening that ties closed with chiffon ribbons. I stitched the side seams closed only to the waistline to allow the sides of the skirt to open freely, exposing the feathered skirt underneath as she walks. I wanted the layers of tulle to create their own “texture” so I added a detail at the hem where each layer was cut a little shorter on a curve, then added a folded piece of tulle stitched to each of those layers to accentuate the layers. To top it off, I fabricated my own “texture” to what would typically be very smooth fabrics, by hand tacking “trimmings” of silk flowers, beads, crocheted trims and pearls on the top layer of tulle . . . homemade couture.
To finish the look, I sewed up a skirt made of some feathered fabric I bought years ago because I knew it would have an amazing purpose someday, and this was its purpose! Yay! I knew I needed it. Nothing says texture like a gazillion tiny feathers. I drafted an aline skirt with gathered godets added just at the sides to create a little extra flowyness to peek out the side of the open dress. The best part is, the skirt is able to be worn over the dress for a 2nd outfit option! I love that look just as much! I topped everything off with an artistically textured circle bag to pull out the tiny pink floral details from the dress. You can see those details better in some of the close ups. As always, I’ll be posting more details on my instagram @jpressgrove. Thanks for reading!
Little Wanderer – Myriam Fournier
In my opinion, the second theme is truly inspiring. There are so many possibilities when it comes to textures and details, and the choices are endless! This week, I drew inspiration from a look that is both girly and comfortable, just like my daughter. I played with sweatshirt fleece, denim, leather, and lace. Everything comes from @Tissus Minifra, a Quebec-based company I absolutely love.
I took some creative risks with the hoodie. I chose the “Saturday Sweatshirt” pattern from Peekaboo Pattern Shop, a simple pattern at its core that I absolutely love. To turn it into something more complex and girly, I created a fun denim color-blocked section on the front, complete with a faux pocket. I added fun bands to the sleeves and swapped the standard cuffs for elastic ones. I also added lace to the hood, along with a unique leather detail on the front to anchor the drawstrings and label.
For the shorts, I used the “Summer Short” pattern by Gus and Steel. I modified the front pocket to add a second one, trimmed them with lace, and reworked the waistband to feature two colors and an integrated bow.
Finally, the outfit wouldn’t be complete without a matching bag. To my daughter’s great delight, I made one using fabric scraps. It coordinates perfectly with the outfit and is big enough to hold all her little treasures.
This look suits her perfectly: girly, playful, and most importantly, soooo comfortable!
All my labels are from 5flos.creations.
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, 9/17 at 8pm EST and results will be announced on Friday morning.
