Sewing With A Plan

The SWAP rules for 2020 have been published!

Link here

RULES:
Your Perfect Vision - SWAP 2020
11 pieces, in two groups:

9 or 10 that may coordinate (be worn together) to form outfits
1 or 2 that MUST coordinate (be able to be worn with all of the others) (1 if you make 10 other pieces, 2 if you make 9)
no required garments
no required colors
You may include one garment that is knitted, crocheted, or handwoven

SWAP sewing will begin December 26th, and all garments must be finished by April 30th, 2010. Pattern fitting and cutting may be done whenever you're ready.

You may include 1 garment you had already sewn prior to the rules announcement and 1 purchased ready-to-wear garment, or 2 pre-sewn garments made prior to the rules announcement. (I encourage either of these options, as integrating your SWAP sewing with your current wardrobe increases how versatile your self-sewn clothing will be). In addition, you may include one additional garment that is sewn after the rules have been posted and before the official start SWAP sewing date of December 26. If you include these three garments, that gives a total of eight more to be sewn before SWAP ends, for a fairly reasonable 2 per month.

You must choose a theme for your collection to act as a focal point - something that inspires you and will help give your SWAP wardrobe a cohesive "feel"; it could be a verbal phrase, a photo, a location, an artifact, or even an accessory (like a scarf). You must post what you have chosen as your theme.

You must include, as part of making one (or more) garments, a technique that both stretches your skill set and is something you have been wanting to learn. For example: someone who is a beginner might choose zippers, someone who is further along on their sewing journey might choose Hong Kong seam finishing or welt pockets, someone who loves embellishment might try making an Alabama Chanin style reverse applique garment, etc....

For the purposes of this SWAP, a sewn "garment" is one that consists of more than one pattern piece, stitched together. A poncho (one piece with a hole for the neckline), or a wrap (one piece of fabric) are not. Some knitted or crocheted garments are made in one piece, but involve careful shaping, so they count as garments.

SWAP CONTEST 2008

This is the 5th annual SWAP contest. Every year, the contest grows more and more, with participants from countries all around the world. The rules remain basically the same, with just a slight variation from year to year.

For newcomers, SWAP is a contest in which we make 11 garments that mix and match. The contest has a time limit; we begin sewing in January and the contest ends in mid April. This means approximately 12 weeks to sew 11 items. Then I post the photos and we all get to vote on who we think completed the best SWAP.

The contest is not about who is the best sewer or who has the best fabric selection, but it is about which wardrobe do YOU think is the most wearable - in other words, your favourite combination of fabrics and patterns, you should probably choose the one you would could see yourself wearing. All 11 pieces must work together, which means that you sew with a plan = "SWAP" = the best use of your time and your money.

The contest is open to sewers at all levels, from beginner to the most advanced. If you can sew together simple clothes, you can join in. We are not examining your workmanship, but rather we are encouraging you to make the most efficient use of your sewing skills, by planning what you sew and sewing what you plan.

Join us at Artisan's Square to read SWAP posts, you do need to register if you wish to post and to be a participant in SWAP. Registration is free, and it is fun to keep up with the posts.

Artisan's Square - the SWAP topic is under the heading Fashion,Style and Wardrobe

It is lots of fun, plus we get new clothes to wear. And the discussions at Artisan's Square are fun as well, sewing can be such a solitary activity; the online discussions remedy that. Join in, you have nothing to lose except some of your stash!

A little background information

The SWAP contest began from an article in Australian Stitches in which the editor, Lynn Cook, outlined her own plan to sew 11 garments that coordinated and gave her 48 possible combinations. Some of us were so inspired by Lynn's plan, that we decided to try this ourselves and the result was the SWAP contest that you see here now.

And there are many more wardrobe photos here
SWAP inspirations

For those who would like to subscribe to Stitches, the contact in the US is Quilters Resource Inc. Phone number is 800-676-6543, fax is 773-278-1348, or email them at info@quiltersresource.com

In Canada, you can subscribe through Stonehouse Publications - toll free phone is 800-461-1640, fax is 905-428-7554, and email is squiresk@allstream.net

And, as many of you know, you can get individual issues from Erica's at www.ericas.com

And for inspiration, take a look at the finished wardrobes from last year's SWAP participants.
SWAP 2007

Here are the SWAP rules for 2008

1. Fabric/pattern purchase minimum value of $25 Canadian to be made from Timmel Fabrics between Oct. 1, 2007 and March 1, 2008. This fabric or pattern must be featured as one item in the SWAP.

2. Each SWAP must consist of 11 garments. See below for descriptions.

3. A print, plaid, check, or stripe must be used for one of the garments. This can be used in a top, or bottom, or even jacket, but it must coordinate with the other pieces. And you can make your own print (if you wish) by embellishing your fabric yourself by painting, stenciling, stitching.

4. You are allowed to use one garment that you have purchased (i.e. not sewed). And you can knit, crochet, or weave one garment if you choose.

5. All garments must be made between January 1/08 and April 11/08 with the exception of two garments which can be made previous to the time period. You are also allowed to use one garment that has been purchased.

6. 2008 Twist – Three garments must be made from one "wardrobe" pattern.
You must make three uniquely different garments from that pattern; making one type of garment three times will not qualify.
These patterns are available from all the major pattern companies and they usually include a jacket, dress and/or skirt, pants, blouse or top. For our purposes, any pattern with at least three different garments that work together will be counted as a "wardrobe" pattern.
The patterns labelled "wardrobe patterns" often have 4 or 5 garments in them; but as long as the pattern has three different garments, it will qualify. The purpose of this year's rule is to encourage making the best use of a pattern; in other words, work it for what it is worth. The other 8 garments can come from any other pattern or patterns or be self-drafted.

7. This year is back to one type of SWAP. This consists of 11 garments, 4 bottoms (skirts and/or pants), 6 tops (2 should be more like blouses than just tees), and 1 jacket that will work with all the tops and bottoms. This gives you a total of 48 possible combinations. However, you can substitute a dress or dresses for two of the tops if you wish. Therefore, your SWAP can be 1 jacket, 4 bottoms, 4 tops, 2 dresses or it can be 1 jacket, 4 bottoms, 5 tops and 1 dress. The jacket must work with all combinations.
In the case of a jumper, this would count as a "bottom" item, in that it must work with all the tops and it must also be able to be worn with the jacket. A vest is counted as a jacket since it is usually worn over a top. If it can be worn solo, count it as a top.

A jacket does not have to be a tailored jacket. It can be a lace overshirt that you wear over your other garments, it can be a shrug, or shawl, poncho or cape. It can also be an overcoat if you wish to make that. It could also be a knitted or crocheted sweater. It must work with all the tops and bottoms (and dresses if you make them).

8. Photos can be emailed to mail@timmelfabrics.com or mailed to me at the address below. The contest will close on April 11, 2008 and you have until April 18 to get your pictures to me. Voting will take place the week of April 21 – 26. Everyone who has posted on the topic at Artisan's Square is eligible to vote, even if you did not participate in the SWAP. Everyone will have 3 votes. You will choose three people and place them in the order you liked best. Your first place choice will get 3 points, second place will get 2 points, and third place will get 1 point. Winners will be selected by the number of points received. Sorry, you cannot vote for yourself, since if everyone did this, it would merely cancel out the votes.

New rules regarding photos: in order to put everyone on an equal footing, one photo must be a photo of one garment or one outfit. Composite photos consisting of three photos will be counted as three photos, not as one. Participants are encouraged to submit a minimum of 6 photos and no more than 10. The final SWAP page will show no more than 6 photos per entry.

9. PRIZES: 1st place - $500 gift certificate to Timmel Fabrics for fabrics/patterns.
2nd place - $250 gift certificate to Timmel Fabrics
3rd place - $100 gift certificate to Timmel Fabrics
4th and 5th place - $50 gift certificate

Everyone who finishes a SWAP and submits their pictures will receive a free pattern of their choice from any pattern that I carry.

Good luck and let the sewing begin!

Timmel Fabrics
2635 Dublin Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3L 3J6
http://www.timmelfabrics.com
mail@timmelfabrics.com
1-877-825-9048

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