A sewing contest can be fun. Especially when you win… I mean, especially when I win 😉
I’m pretty sure I won this one because I really did visualize myself winning, and I put the effort into my submission. The selected winner may or may not have been randomized out of a hat, but I like to think it was based on my effort alone, so please, let me believe!
Sewing contest details
This was an Instagram sewing contest hosted by Closet Core. The winner would receive ONE YEAR’s Unlimited Membership to their new online sewing community, Closet Core Crew. Each month a new sewing pattern is released and there is an App where each member can share their makes, ask questions, find inspiration, and receive a discount to Closet Core. Amazing. I can’t believe I actually won!
And what did I do to win, you may ask?
Closet Core had each of the contestants fill out a Bingo card they created for their sewing contest. Here’s a compilation of the 5 submissions I used to complete my 5-in-a-row on the Bingo card.
My submission
Top left: Finished a garment – this was the first indie pattern I ever used to make a garment. It’s the Closet Core Cielo. I originally made the dress version but didn’t grade out enough at the hips for it to be comfortable on me. I cut it at the waist and made a much loved T-shirt instead. It’s made in a green linen from Simplififabric.
Top center: Hand sewed something – an early attempt at sashiko stitching. I love this method for mending denim. Trim the frayed edges, slap some denim in behind the hole, stitch around the hole, stitch down the remaining parts of the patch. Voila! Lived-in jeans that will keep getting lived in a little longer.
Top right: Cried mid-project – I’ve got a post about this one somewhere. It’s the Fairfield Button-up. The crying was mostly due to my efforts to pattern-match. I didn’t incorporate the button placket properly and had to recut, but I didn’t have enough to cut the left side out again in one piece. I ended up cutting it out in 2 pieces and adding a “decorative seam” underneath the pocket. I’m still pretty proud of the problem solving on this one. After the tears, that is…
Bottom left: Self-drafted pants – my first pair of real pants. I had followed a Craftsy video on how to self-draft pants. It was an incredible experience that I’m shocked I actually did. I don’t wear them much as I find the fabric (lyocell twill) bags out a bit too much for me and I honestly forget about them much of the time. They have a side zipper, front pockets, none on the back.
Bottom right: Me-made head to toe – Megan Nielson Ash Jeans in the thickest denim I would ever use for a skinny jean: 9 oz. I’m wearing the Closet Core Cielo top, this time with the lantern sleeves in a rayon challis. The vest is my beloved slipover by Juliana Martejevs. I widened it a bit to account for the thick teddy fleece I used from Blackbird fabrics. I love this layering piece.
My reflection
My year of Closet Core Crew Unlimited has since expired. I love the encouragement I found on the App they use. I also really appreciate the help I received from their fit expert. She helped me make the connection between back darts and yokes for pants. While I love almost every pattern Closet Core puts out into the world, I wasn’t always attracted to the patterns in their monthly Crew membership. So far I’ve made the Butterscotch backpack and Alabaster top, but none of the other patterns really “jump the cue” if you know what I mean? I just might not be their target audience, and that’s ok. I’m still thrilled that I got the opportunity to try them out for a while. And I still have a year’s worth of patterns from them 😉
Happy Sewing!
