Subject: RTW & Designer Knock-off Contest July 1-31 2009- Contest Discussion Date: 6/20/09 11:25 PM

And we are off! Read the Rules and feel free to ask any questions you come up with. I will be sewing along, but not entering so as to try to keep up with all of you!

My role as the Manager of this contest is to find out all the answers to any questions, and to make sure you all play nicely. At least, as a first time manager, that is how I interpret my role!


RTW & Designer Knock-off Contest Rules:

This is a challenge to copy or create a garment inspired by RTW (ready- to wear) or a designer collection, that can be worn by either a child or adult.

Entries need to include a picture or link of the "inspiration" piece, and a listing of what you changed from the inspiration.

Garments can be made starting with a commercial pattern, or can be self-drafted.

This contest will be decided by votes. Voting should take into consideration:

- was the original goal achieved

- methods of construction

- how well it is documented

- how well it is photographed

- choice of fabrics/trims, etc.

Timeframe: This contest will run from July 1, 2009 to July 31, 2009. Contest ends at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, as shown on the Pattern Review website. All reviews must be submitted by that time in order to be eligible for the contest.

Qualifying Entrants: Participation open to all members (free or paying) who joined Pattern Review prior to April 1, 2009 (90 days prior to the start of the contest).


I am adding some inspiration sites for your enjoyment as well.
Style.com
Fashioned
Net-a-porter
Yoox Bridgette suggests to search by "highest price" first
Anthropologie
Modcloth
Nordstroms
-- Edited on 7/4/09 9:21 AM --

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Connie Bontje
The website - www.couturesmith.com

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Date: 6/21/09 10:17 PM

No questions yet -- maybe this one is self-explanatory, eh?

This isn't a question, but...

I've actually been thinking about this one on and off since the last RTW/designer knock-off contest. My inspiration items from this past year are of course no longer posted on line (new collections now), so I'm starting my search again.

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Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly. ~Proverb (unknown source)
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Woman Sewing, Caroline Augusta Lord, c. late 1890's, oil on canvas; University of Cincinnati Fine Arts Collection

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Date: 6/22/09 4:14 AM

I found my knock-off dress online tonight! This should be fun :)

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Leah

My blog:
http://www.journeytocouture.com

My idea of housework is to sweep the room with a glance.

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Date: 6/25/09 9:58 AM

I may sew along for this one. I got a really cute knit top at the thrift store recently that I wanted to copy - it fits but needs some adjusting and I've been planning to do it anyway. Maybe following along with you all will motivate me to work on this project before it sinks to the bottom of the pile.

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Karen

There's always room for one more cat, one more book or one more yard of fabric.

http://sewingbytheseatofmypants.blogspot.com/

PR Weekend is coming to Philadelphia!

http://prweekendphilly.blogspot.com

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Date: 6/26/09 2:59 AM

Does taking a RTW garment I own, pin-tracing it and using it as a pattern also count? Or is that considered cheating in this case? I am not sure. I have a knit dress that I love, but it is petite and too short in the torso. I would like to copy it, but I would use the actual dress as a pattern starting point. Let me know.

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Natalija from Serbia

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Reply to TalyQ
Date: 6/26/09 8:42 AM

I think that as long as we have a photo of the original, copying a dress that you already own is okay.
You are going to be a busy woman in July if you enter this contest, the New Techniques contest and the Advanced Beginner Contest as well! Good luck!

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Connie Bontje
The website - www.couturesmith.com

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Reply to ConnieBJ
Date: 6/26/09 11:27 AM

Oh, I don't think I can enter more than one, just trying to get informed to see what is doable =) and then I will decide what to work on first.

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Natalija from Serbia

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Reply to TalyQ
Date: 6/26/09 11:56 AM

I found my "inspiration" last weekend. I was at work (the 2nd job) looking through the Vogue magazine with Michelle Obama on the cover...whoever owned the magazine is missing a page now. I hope I can find a picture of the dress online, otherwise I'll have to take a picture of the page or find a scanner.

Edited to add - found a picture! If you go to the Dillard's website you can do a closeup on the dress and see the fantastic pleating detail and the raw silk fabric, drool drool.


-- Edited on 6/26/09 12:03 PM --

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Sewing is my therapy!

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Date: 6/28/09 12:24 PM

I do have a question. Can we use a Vogue designer pattern? They are inspired/knock offs of the designers' original garment. Also, as far as I know, all the patterns on Patrones magazine are designer knock offs (even if the designer isn't of Carolina Herrera fame), are those OK?

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http://sewjune.blogspot.com

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Date: 6/28/09 5:01 PM

I picked up a copy of Vogue Collections last week - it's expensive, but wonderful ($50). There's lots of inspiration there. Afterwards checked out Style.com. I've found two good possibilities for the contest, this Armani sweater and this jacket Dries by Dries Van Noten. I'm really taken with the colours used by DVNoten this season. I thought I could use this Jacket Pattern with some modifications to the collar. I've made it a couple of times, and have been pleased with the results. It looks like it's recently been designated as OOP.

What do you think about the sweater? Would you include the top non- functioning buttonhole? Do you think the fabric is a woven or a knit? I'd only put the breast pocket on, those hip pockets are pretty big.

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Sewinglizzie

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