Have you heard? This year, May is Sewing Indie Month!
It's no secret that I love indie patterns - they're by far the closest a home sewist can get to RTW fashion without self-drafting, and it's fantastic to see so many new patterns popping up all over the world, whether it's downloadable PDFs from fellow sewing bloggers like Sew Caroline and Dixie DIY or gorgeous packaged goods from the likes of By Hand London. Many of them are also available in plus sizes, which earns them a *high five* from the Curvy Sewing Collective (and to those who aren't yet... we're waiting!). Sewing Indie Month brings together a wide range of independent pattern designers ranging from Tilly and Buttons to Thread Theory, Garmenter to Kate & Rose, Fehr Trade to Dixie DIY - see the end of this post for the full list.
Anyhow, Mari Miller of Seamster Patterns asked me if I'd like to host one of the Sewing Indie Month sewalong contests, and I jumped at the chance!
The Cashmerette theme for the month is... everyday casual. Yep, that's secret pyjamas, folks. In the frosting ---> cake continuum I'm firmly a cake lady - I mostly sew what I like to wear on a daily basis, which means lots (and lots) of knits, "throw it on with a pair of boots/flats" dresses, and simple tops paired with colourful jeans. I firmly believe that you don't have to look schlumpy when you're comfortable (what is it with all the college sweatpants, Boston ladies?!), and I hope this month I can help you continue to build a stylish, but dreamily comfortable capsule wardrobe for wearing every day.
I'm one of four hosts, and we each have a different theme, so check them all out!
Jenny at Cashmerette: Everyday Casual
Wanett at Sown Brooklyn: An Indie Love Afair
Laura at Lilacs and Lace: Dressed to the Nines
Rhonda of Rhonda's Creative Life: Pattern Hacking
Here's how it's going to work:
CONTEST RULES
PRIZES!
The winner of the Everyday Casual sewalong category will win these cool prizes:
1 year subscription to Sew News Magazine
Sew Smarter, Better and Faster book from Threads Magazine
$30 gift certificate from Girl Charlee
$25 gift certificate from The Smuggler's Daughter
Comox Trunks Supplies Kit from Sewing Indie Month designer Thread Theory
And last but by no means least....Sewing Indie Month Everyday Casual designer prize pack: PDF pattern of your choice from Maria Denmark, Sew Caroline; PDF Duathlon Shorts by Fehr Trade; paper pattern of your choice from Sewn Square One!
AND... BONUS PRIZE!
A Bonus Winner randomly drawn from all the sewalong participants will win the following prizes:
Sewing Indie Month designer prize pack: PDF pattern of your choice from Waffle Patterns; PDF Wardrobe Builder Pack by Thready Theory; paper pattern of your choice from Kate & Rose, Sew Chic
1 year subscription to Sew News Magazine
$75 gift certificate from Britex Fabrics
1 year Friends of PR membership from Pattern Review
Love at First Stitch signed book by Sewing Indie Month designer Tilly and the Buttons
Phew! That's a lot of prizes! During the month, I'll be posting inspiration, tips and tutorials to help you along, and I can't wait to see all your entries.
HOW TO APPLY
Use the InLinz widget below to link to your blog post, Pattern Review or Kollabora post.
Remember, you need to make something (at least one bit of your outfit) from one of the participating companies - it could be a pattern or tutorial! Click on the "add your link" button and follow the instructions!
***UPDATE (June 4) Please note that any submissions for patterns that are not from the list of participating designers aren't eligible for the competition, and will be removed before voting
***UPDATE (June 5). Hold tight for voting! Mari, our fearless organizer, has arranged two rounds. The first will be a round of voting by the pattern companies and blog hosts to create a shortlist. Then, the shortlist will be voted on by everyone on my blog! Questions on the process? Email howdy@seamsterpatterns.com
An InLinkz Link-up
You can also grab button below for your blog, and don't forget to head over to the other Sewing Indie Month hosts.
Here are all the independent pattern companies participating in Sewing Indie Month:
By Hand London
Christine Haynes
Closet Case Files
Dixie DIY
Fehr Trade
Garmenter
Kate & Rose
Lolita Patterns
Maria Denmark
Seamster Sewing Patterns
Sew Caroline
Sew Chic Patterns
Sewn Square One
Sinbad & Sailor
Skinny Bitch Curvy Chick Patterns
SomaPatterns by Sylvie P
Stepalica Patterns
Pauline Alice
Thread Theory Designs
Tilly & the Buttons
Waffle Patterns