Welcome to 2012

Welcome to the 2012 Sew Wat challenge blog! I hope that you all had a delightful Christmas and you’ve eased into 2012 with out too much stress!

Well the holiday’s ended here today with Hubby heading back to work, all of our visitors heading home and reality kicking back in.

 I just thought I write a little note about how the Sew Wat challenge blog came about. In June ’11 I found myself in the $1 section of a 2^nd hand store looking around and admiring all the ‘fabric’ I could see, I purchased a bunch of items and set about upcycling a couple of items for my daughters winter wardrobe. I welcomed anyone else to join me in my challenge, and when a few people said they would I decided to make it an official Facebook challenge with voting and a prize. And sew the 

SEW WAT CHALLENGE BLOG WAS BORN 

Meredith was the winner of the Upcycle challenge with the following entry. 

Thank you to all the entrants!

The Personal Challenge followed the upcycle,  and then was our unforgettable Christmas and Junior Challenges. I'd like to thank all the entrants and especially Sandy and Louise (from Wrapped in fabric and the Oz Material girls) for their generous donations. Here are the winners of the Christmas Challenge: Kylie Weber,  Katherine Knott  and  Melisa McCarthy

New Year always brings new resolutions and in my case new Challenges! Last year I set myself the challenge of sewing 1 element of every child’s gift that I gave and this was a challenge for me as I hadn’t sat a sewing machine in 18 yrs (give or take a year) here are some of the presents i made
   

         

This year I’ve decided that my new challenge will be titled

“I will not sew with any brand new fabric until November” 

sew to brake it down, i will only sew with Recycled fabric, upcycled fabric or fabric from my already extensive stash. I may purchase some 'too good to refuse' bargin fabrics during the year but only if i intend on using these fabrics for christmas presents. 


WHO ELSE IS IN ON THIS CHALLENGE? 
or maybe you have your own version of this challenge? only buying 'necessary' fabric? only buying fabric after using up a piece from your stash? What ever your challenge for 2012, i wish you all the luck in the world and i'd love to hear all about it! 


I also hope to have you all on board for a couple of new Sew Wat challenges this year!! 

Christmas Challenge and Junior Christmas Challenge

For the Christmas and Junior Christmas Challenge there are no restrictions

• Anything christmas related may be entered (even if it doesn't look 'in theme'. eg if you sew/hand make a gift to give at christmas)

• You may enter as many times as you like

The dates for this challenge are from November 1st til December 15th @ 10pm.

Please upload any photo's and explanations directly to the sew wat facebook wall.

There will be 3 prizes awarded.

And the Judges are 

Louise from The Oz Material Girls  

Sandy from Wrapped in Fabric 

and Sew Wat

(this challenge is not open to voting).

For the Junior Challenge

• Anything christmas related may be entered 

1. even if it was made at school
2. even if its not sewn but hand crafted

The dates for this challenge are from November 1st til December 10th @ 3pm. (qld time

All entrants will receive a certificate of participation in the mail ✄

CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE

✄CHRISTMAS CHALLENGE ✄ 

There is no real challenge here,

i can assume that most of us intend on sewing 

(knitting or crocheting) something this christmas 

- outfits, decorations or gifts.....

sew to enter, (and you can enter as many times as you 

like!) Please post pictures and descriptions onto the Sew 

Wat Facebook wall. Dates for this challenge are from 

November 1st to December 15th 

with Voting after that ✄ 

(prize to be advised)

tonights sewing!

these little goodies are part of present! I recently made a reversible apron for the personal challenge and i whipped up this hanging tea towel and cupcake oven mitt tonight to add to the gift.... What do we think?

Holiday Preparation!

My Family is taking a little holiday! and in preparation for this trip i have been busy!! here are the tutorials that i followed to create goodies... 

Many of you will remember my upcycle challenge piece - Vaishali's skirt. Here she is wearing it with the gorgeous little top that i purchased from Alex&Grace Designs - https://www.facebook.com/pages/AlexGrace-Designs/178540368840754

this is a loose translation of the tutorial that i used for this skirt...

http://sewingin-nomansland.blogspot.com/2010/08/taking-notes-skirt-tutorial.html

A travel car mat was a necessity for 'quiet time'!
http://punkinpattern.blogspot.com/2010/07/car-roll-and-mat-with-riley-blake.html

And this is my take on the magnetic fishing game...

http://leafytreetopspot.blogspot.com/2011/03/featured-on-made-fishing-hole-roll.html

Sew... i need a bag, right? The lovely Salome from Retrocentricity (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Retrocentricity/113798922044813)  sent me this awesome fabric and i made this bag and document wallet (no tutorial on document wallet - i winged it!)

http://artsycraftybabe.typepad.com/tutorials/pleated_tote_pattern.pdf

My Hubby is a little vertically challenged, and for years i'd just pin up his jeans, but i came across this tutorial for taking up jeans and thought - too easy! i can do that - and i did!!

http://narioka.blogspot.com/2010/02/tutorial-taking-up-jeans-and-retaining.html

My hubby is also a retired chef and on our Holiday he is taking his knives to be sharpened - hence the knife roll 

 (no tutorial - winged this one too...)

The final (at this time, i still have 5 sleeps till we go...) item i through together for quiet play on our holiday is a travel art buddy
http://www.cookcleancraft.com/2011/09/travel-drawing-kit.html

i'd also love to mention that a couple of these pieces from Wee Tackers  (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wee-Tackers/16465892690760) are also packed to go!

Challenge Ended, Voting Begun

The Sew Wat Personal Challenge has ended now and the winning entry lies in your hands -

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.269431746408008.74277.205824502768733

check out the album and vote for your Fav by commenting on just one entry!

CHALLENGE NUMBER 2!

I just sewed my first ever zipper and i'm sew excited that i was thinking the next challenge - should be just that - a challenge. 


Entrants can choose something (anything!!!) to Sew that is personally challenging


Requirements for this competition will be:-  
* an end photo  
* little story (50 words or less)
* dates to complete will be the 5th of September to the 26th of September (with voting time after)
* there are no restrictions on use of materials and embellishments




who's in? ✄


Sew Wat