Here is a reminder that 31st of May 2015 is the last day for entrance into the simplicity’s bloggers sewing pattern competition.
With the nation gripped by sewing fever following the success of a run of crafty programmes, we are challenging the bloggers at the heart of Britain’s creative talent to sew up a storm, in the quest to be crowned a Simplicity Star Sewist!
THE CATEGORIES
Ensuring that all sewing bloggers can get involved, the challenge covers niche areas with broad appeal, with three categories available for bloggers to enter in order to be crowned a Simplicity Star Sewist.
Best dressmaking project
The pattern in question for this category is the NewLook shift dress 6145, showcased in the Simplicity catalogue in chic check print.
This simple interpretation offers bloggers the opportunity to let their imaginations run wild, through their choice of fabric, trimmings or styling, with the dress able to be adapted to various sleeve lengths and necklines.
Best Vintage Make
Allowing you to add a modern touch to a retro sewing pattern or fully embrace a vintage classic, Simplicity’s chosen project is the gorgeous 1364 sewing pattern.
This 1960s inspired top offers a variety of finishes, from an effortlessly stylish sleeveless top to an elegant below elbow length top, allowing you to choose the pattern that suits your signature style best.
Best Newcomer
Choosing a sewing pattern that is simple to complete, Simplicity’s It’s So Easy 2286 sewing pattern, is a perfect choice for any novice who has been sewing and blogging for less than a year and is looking to showcase their skills.
This basic skirt should only take an intermediate sew-er a couple of hours to complete, leaving plenty of scope for hours’ worth of embellishments to turn this stunning staple into a sensational, stand out statement piece.
THE CHALLENGE
Your challenge is to use the above patterns as a basis for your own bespoke creation. The only rule is that there are no rules!
Using the pattern as your foundation, go wild with fabric, colour, nips here, tucks there and feel free to accessorise to the hilt! Whether fabric is your forte or your signature style is more haute couture, simply show us what you’re made of and stamp your very own style on these patterns.
THE JUDGES
Lauren Guthrie, finalist on the first series of the popular Great British Sewing Bee, owner of haberdashery and sewing school Guthrie & Ghani and author of ‘Learn to Sew with Lauren’, is set to offer her years of sewing experience as a member of the Simplicity judging panel. Casting a trusted eye over all the creative projects, to ensure that the chosen winner has the sewing credentials needed to be awarded the prestigious prize.
Also set to join the judging panel is Thrifty Stitcher Claire-Louise Hardie, author of “The Great British Sewing Bee- Fashion with Fabric” and experienced Theatrical Costumier. As a producer on the Great British Sewing Bee, Claire-Louise knows what it takes to sew fabulous makes under pressure – making her a great choice for choosing Simplicity’s Star Sewist.
Lauren and Claire-Louise will be joined by Vintage Life Magazine editor, Rachel Egglestone – Evans who, as an experienced historian, will be using her knowledge on all things vintage to find the most inspired sewing project, spotting bloggers that have embraced the era and created a one off piece.
Completing the judging quartet is Simplicity’s resident sewing expert, Wendy Gardiner, whose experience spans over 20 years as editor of various sewing magazines, guest presenter on Create and Craft TV, presenter of 9 DVDs on sewing, author of 14 books and the host and lead tutor of a series of sell-out residential weekend sewing courses.
Passionate and knowledgeable about all things sewing, Simplicity’s judging panel said: ‘We’re hoping to see the very best of bloggers’ creativity in their interpretation of these patterns and are excited about the prospect of all these gorgeous projects coming our way. Britain’s sewing bloggers are a talented bunch and we want to celebrate their range of skills, from vintage lovers, to dressmakers and those new to the sewing circuit.”
THE PRIZE
As well as being crowned a Simplicity Star Sewist and seeing their creation live on www.simplicitynewlook and the centre of a social media campaign, the three winners will receive a year’s worth of sewing patterns and be invited as a guest blogger on the Simplicity UK site.
TO ENTER
Simply email Simplicity at bloggers@Simplicitynewlook.com, requesting a copy of the pattern you’d like to complete and your address and size details. We’ll send out your pattern free of charge so you can get cracking and let your creative juices flow.
To enter, post a picture of your completed Simplicity project on your blog, including a hyperlink to the pattern as it appears on the Simplicity website – as well as letting your readers know that you’re taking part in the challenge by displaying the Simplicity blogger badge, available via the link below – minus the <xmp> at the start and </xmp> at the end:
<xmp><a href=”http://www.simplicitynewlook.com/“><img src=”http://www.simplicitynewlook.com/blog-img/Blogger.png” width=”416″ height=”240″ border=”0″ alt=“Simplicity Blogger Circle” /></a></xmp>
Then simply email the link to the Simplicity email address bloggers@Simplicitynewlook.com or tweet @SewSimplicity with the hashtag #Simplicitybloggerchallenge, by the competition closing date: 31st May 2015. Our judges will decide the three winners by 1st July 2015.
Culled from www.simplicitynewlook.com