Apr 1st - Apr 31st
Vintage Sewing Pattern Contest:
This contest is a chance to try out vintage patterns, learn the differences between those and current patterns, and possibly try some traditional but new-to-you techniques. The rules for this contest:
Make a garment using a vintage pattern. For the purposes of this contest a pattern is considered Vintage if it was issued between 1920 and 1976. Earlier than this becomes antique patterns and historical costume instead of vintage and wearable garments.
Patterns must be original vintage prints, or exact re-prints of the vintage pattern (for example, reprints such as those that are available at Vintage Fashion Library and Vintage Pattern Lending Library). Re-issues, vintage inspired, retro, and self-drafted patterns are not included in this contest. Reissues are those that are reissued by the Pattern companies and sold in the Vintage and Retro sections of the catalogues.
Minor design changes are allowed. If major changes are required to make a wearable item, please pick a different pattern for this contest.
Fabrics and techniques do not need to be vintage. However, it is encouraged for you to follow the vintage guidesheet if it is available, to reap the benefit of some older techniques. This is not a requirement, but a suggestion.
Contest is restricted to clothing. Clothing for children and men are included. Crafts and home dec items are not included. Accessories as part of a clothing item can be included.
The garment must be started on or after April 1st, and completed and reviewed by April 30th. This includes cutting out the items. The pattern can be one used before, and muslins and fitting can be done in advance. Fabric pre-washing may also be done in advance.
More than one item can be entered in the contest.
Winner determination: Decided by member votes. Voting will begin on May 2nd and end on May 11th.
Prizes: $100 and $50 gift certificates from oldpatterns.com
Guidelines for voting on Contests
Because of the high quality of the garments we're seeing entered in PR Contests, we're setting forth some guidelines that may help you choose when voting.
You may choose to assign a point value to each of the following criteria in order to narrow down your choices.
1. How well does the garment/collection/ensemble/item fit the criteria stated in the contest rules? How well does it fit the spirit of the rules?
2. Are the construction methods, including but not limited to seam finishes, lining techniques, etc, well suited to the design? To the fabric?
3. Is the fabric choice well suited to the design? Are the lining and interfacing choices appropriate?
4. Is the review complete and well written?
5. Taking into account the stated ability level of the entrant, how well does the garment fit?
6. Creative points. You may choose to give credit here for extras including embellishment, creative interpretation of patterns, creativity in creating a pattern, or even for having the restraint to leave something strikingly simple.
7. Complexity of the project. Relate this to the skill level of the participant. If a participant is a beginner then a princess seam may get the same complexity level as an underarm gusset gets for an advanced sewer. This is purely subjective, but a complex garment might garner more points than a simple one if a tie-breaker is needed.
Additional voting guideline suggestions for the Vintage Pattern Contest: Remember, these are just suggestions.
1. Use of vintage techniques either from the guidesheet or a book source. Traditional seam finishes as opposed to serged seams would be an example.
2. On a scale of one to ten, how well does the entrant adapt this vintage design to make it wearable in todays world? IOW, does the resulting garment look like a costume from another era or something that is Vintage inspired but eminently wearable today?