Ali's Giveaway Prize for the Summer Spark Sew-Along!

My co-hosts and I are each offering a prize for the entries in the Summer Spark Sew-Along Flickr pool. My prize: An indie pattern of your choice.

My random number generator selected Sewing Princess' Sabrina Tunic!

 

Isn't that a lovely summer top? What a great way to use two different prints/fabrics and the cut—the bateau neckline and the bodice wrap—is so chic! Check out her final tunic and muslin at her blog, Sewing Princess. Congrats!

Stay tuned to Alessa and Sarah's blogs for their giveaway winners! :)

Off to another conference! See y'all when I get back. xo

Summer Spark Sew-Along: The Final List!

Thank you all for an amazing and inspiring sew-along! Check out all the entries and loveliness in the Flickr group.

As promised, here's the final list of all the entries—I hope some of these spark your summer sewing. Woven dresses were definitely popular, but I was so impressed with the range of patterns—Big 4, Indie and Self-Drafted—and style.

My co-hosts and I, Alessa of Farbenfreude, and Sarah of Rhinestones and Telephones, are putting our heads together to pick winners!

Dresses, Knit

Knottygnome in McCalls 6659. Look at the print! I'm thinking I might not be able to resist maxi dresses much longer.

McCall 6659 (maxi dress) by knottygnome

McCall 5974 by Sarah

Dresses, Woven

Thanks to shelshel for reminding us that New Look patterns (which I often overlook) can look so good!

Simplicity 1803 by Shanni Loves

Sewaholic Renfrew by SunnyB64

Butterick 443 (modified) by Guineveresmom

Butterick 5028 by barevels

New Look 6048 by shelshel

McCall 6349 by simplybeu 

Simplicity 2246 by Minnado

Self-drafted by ayenforcraft 

Self-drafted (with hand-dyed fabric!) by Tasha Miller Griffith

Sewaholic Lonsdale by KristenMakes 

Self-drafted by Ana5059

Simplicity 6402 by SewWell 

Colette (Book) Licorice by MarrieB

Vogue 1190 by BTStars 

McCall 4440 by msjennyhomemaker

Jacket

How classy and pretty is this Chanel-esque jacket?

Vogue 7995 by starryfish52

Skirts

A versatile summer skirt by Lucia Pixelada!

Burda 05-12-113 by Merche
Vogue 2043 by Lucia Pixelada

Tops

A self-drafted shout-out to Yvette, who made two of these!

 

Lutterloh 101 by Karamiel

Burda 06-2011-124 by Maider 

Serendipity Studios, Sabrina Tunic by sewing princess

Self-drafted by Yvette 

Simplicity 3596 by foster2023

Scout Woven Tee by FutureNakano and Gingermakes 

Vogue 1282 by Merche

Trouser/Shorts

jillwithlove, inspired by J. Crew shorts, makes these shorts that are handpainted!

Lutterloh 236 (60s) by Karamiel

Burda 03-12-114B by Maider

New Look 6100 (modified with handpainted polka dots!)

jill with love

Some of you sewed for others or used the opportunity to refashion old makes. Others had projects that just didn't work out (I feel you, ladies—this month's chambray skirt is a dud, too). Personally, I really liked the focus it brought me in an otherwise busy month and I've been wearing my knit dress at least once a week!

But I'd love to hear how the sew-along was for you. Did you like focusing on a single garment? Have you been finding it a useful addition to your wardrobe? What might you/we do differently?

Happy sewing all!

July Intention: Casual Separates

Hello all! The Summer Spark Sew-Along Flickr group is heating up! You have until the end of July 4 to upload a photo of your garment to win one of three fabulous prizes: An indie pattern of your choice, seersucker fabric from Sarah or a breezy blue and white fabric from Alessa.

As I said in my last post, I really liked the pace of the sew-along. It helped me focus on what I really wanted to make and also not fall into the glorious, consuming, deep well that is sewing obsession. From now on, I'm going to try and express one monthly intention for my sewing.

Now this has definitely been The Year of the Dress. And though I really want to sew dresses, I really want to wear more separates.

So for my July Intention: I want to sew casual separates. I'd say 1-2 separates, depending on my time. Casual, heat-friendly, muy versatile, and that can be made in a single sitting.

Here's what I'm kicking around:

A Full Chambray Skirt

Inspiration:

I noticed the skirt I've worn most in June has been a swishy knit skirt in black. I'd like to try a woven equivalent with some chambray I've on hand. I'm worried it'll look too stiff so I thought I could play with bias with this stiffer woven. I have this great 70s pattern for a bias skirt with just two pattern pieces.

Black Tank Top

One of the me-made garments I've worn most this year is a plain white tank, a combination between Jalie 3024 and my favorite RTW tank. It's so boring I haven't blogged about it, but I've been wanting a version in black.

To speed things up + stretch my skills, I'll finish the armholes and neckline with fold-over elastic using a double needle (which'll be a first!).

I think this'll be a great combo: Black tank + chambray skirt with the bevy of colorful cardigans and scarves I have. But they'll also match nearly all other separates in my closet.

Sewing & Life as Process

Sewing aside, changes are afoot. I just returned from one inspiring conference that has re-prioritized my time and am headed to another on Saturday. As I work on a big project (which could take years) it'll slow down my sewing and blogging. But know this is where I come to unwind, to take a breather from the rest of my life, to be inspired by working with my hands and see others in their own creative journeys. So I'll still be around! :)

But also: Sewing has taught me the importance of learning and process and thoughtfulness and recklessness and community. To grow: 10 stitches forward, 5 stitches ripped back. It's been humbling and exhilarating. I'm finally starting to apply these lessons to the rest of my life.

So thank you all, for your inspiring garments in June. And here's to July!