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!

Summer Spark: One Week Left + My Summer Dress

Hello, all, we're in the homestretch for the Summer Spark Sew-Along! 

With my returning health (slowly, slowly), I managed to finish my garment, Jalie 3024, in a striped bodice and black skirt. The bodice is a 100% bamboo knit -- so drapey! -- and a double knit for the skirt.

Like all homesewn things, I could gripe about it. I got a little overzealous with the full belly adjustment, I hadn't foreseen the drape of the bamboo and, in hindsight, I should've held out for the perfect stripe. Though it's hard to photograph because the stripes are so thin, it's still lovely in person.

Adventure: Saturday brunch and a quick marina walk with an old friend. 

But when it comes to a throw-on-and-go dress for my various summer adventures, I couldn't be more pleased. I feel stylish and comfortable. And with the cool that sometimes moves in with Bay Area summers, the double-knit gives the dress some weight and the lightweight bamboo makes it easy to layer.

This morning, with a bit of cool in the air, I wore it with a gray cardigan and coral, floral scarf.

So I'm not sure I'm sold on the kimono sleeve, but I LOVE THIS PATTERN. I feel so, so curvy in this dress, too. Rrrrrrroar.

:)

You know, I really liked the pace of putting this garment together. It was an easy garment, yes, but I liked having a single month to think of a single garment rather than rushing through projects because my sewing queue is endless. I think I might try to organize my sewing this way even after the Summer Spark Sew-Along.

But how are your lovely garments going? How's the pace suiting you?

Post your final garments in the Flickr group by July 4 to win one of three fabulous prizes!!!