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
Read more here
Article on Wardrobing
inspired by Australian Stitches
And there are many more wardrobe photos here
SWAP inspirations
For those who would like to subscribe to Stitches, the
contact in the
In
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!
Copyright protected, September 2007 by Julie Culshaw
Timmel Fabrics
2635
http://www.timmelfabrics.com
mail@timmelfabrics.com
1-877-825-9048
No comments:
Post a Comment