Date: 3/6/08 11:14 AM

Did you know that PR (PatternReview.com) has lots of fun contests to motivate and inspire you. Whatever your skill level maybe, I guarantee that there is a contest going on at all times, you'd be interested in joining.

Here's a quick tutorial to get you started.

Where do I find the contests?

To find the currently running contests, simply go to the Home Page and look on the right bar.



You can also go to the contest reports from the left navigation bar from any page on the site.



Clicking on the All Contests link from the left navigation bar, brings you to the main contest page. This page has information about the past, present and some of the future contests as well.



If you'd like to find out more about upcoming contests and new contest discussions, go to the Message boards and click on the Contest Discussions Forum



Now, that you've found the contest, what's next?

To participate in a contest, you'll need to register in the contest first. Contests are free to join and all PR members who have been on the site for more than 3 months ( 90 days) before the contest start date can join any contest at any given time.

Example: If the contest begins on August 1st, you should have been a member of PR on or before May 2nd.

To join a contest, click on the Join link from the Main contest page.



Choose the contest you'd like to register for and don't forget to read the contest rules before you enter.



Now, simply sew based on the contest rules and take part in the active contest discussion with the contest manager. You'll find all contest related links on the Contest Report.



Click on Post a New Message button on the contest discussion thread to participate in the discussion.



Entering an item to the Contest Report

When you are ready to enter your item to the contest report, write a pattern review first. If you're using a TNT (Tried and Tested) pattern and you've reviewed it before, simply edit your review and change the finished garment photo.

To write a new pattern review, go to the home page and click on Add Review link from under the new pattern reviews list.



Now, go to the Contest Entry Form, choose the contest you want to enter a project in and it'll load the project entry form for you. Choose the pattern company and it'll load up all the reviews you've written. Choose your review and add it to the contest report.



Your entry will appear in the contest report as well as the contest gallery. If you need to make changes to your entry, please get in touch with your contest manager either on the contest discussions on the boards, or by sending them a private message.

How are winners chosen?

In most contests, winners are chosen based on votes by PatternReview members. Please read the contest rules to find out more about the winning criteria for each contest. Voting typically begins the day after the contest ends and goes on for 10 days. Only one vote per reader is allowed. Readers must be logged in to their PatternReview account and must be verified PR members for at least 3 months ( 90 days) before they are eligible to vote.

All voting is done on the Contest Gallery.

A few things about the Contest Gallery.

1. Only if you posted a photo to your review which is entered as your contest entry will your entry appear on this page.
2. If the contest has ended, everyone is able to see the top 3 votes on the Contest Gallery.
3. The entries on the Contest Gallery are displayed in a random order.


4. If you are looking at the Contest Gallery, your entry will appear in a different color to distinguish from all the other entries. Also, you'll be able to see your own votes after voting has ended.


5. Contest Managers can see votes for everyone.

Ok, what are you waiting for now? Check out all the fun and fabulous contests and enter one.
-- Edited on 7/22/08 11:12 AM --

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- Deepika
Founder, PatternReview.com
Vote for the 2010 Contests
http://sewing.patternreview.com/poll/38

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Date: 3/6/08 3:12 PM

Thanks for posting this helpful info, Deepika!

-Terry

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Date: 3/8/08 3:45 AM

yes, great idea. If the contest owners post a link to that on the front page of each contest thread it could really cut down on the same old questions being asked over and over by different people.

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Sewing in Cheshire, England
http://ruthieksews1.blogspot.com/

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Date: 3/8/08 3:49 AM

This is great! Thanks for posting this guide.

ETA: Great idea, Ruthie! I'll add a link in the Wardrobe Contest thread.
-- Edited on 3/8/08 3:50 AM --

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Tez

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Date: 3/8/08 8:14 AM

Wow Deepika, nice post! :)

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When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt. --Henry J. Kaiser

http://jemimabean.blogspot.com/

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Date: 3/10/08 10:06 PM

This would have been nice to know when I first started the Wardrobe Contest.

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Fabric $15, Thread $1.99, Pattern $1.99, Enjoyment I get from sewing it....priceless!!!!

47 projects finished this year....
142 projects finished in 2008....
SOOOO many in progress I can't even count!!!!

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Date: 3/10/08 10:55 PM

This is very helpful thank you, I'm planning on entering the mini wardrobe contest as my first contest. I had no idea I needed to register officially so thats saved me some trouble! Now I need to go and practice storyboards and composite photos.

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http://allisoncsewinggallery.blogspot.com/

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Reply to Deepika
Date: 3/23/08 11:32 AM

Quote:

Your entry will appear in the contest report as well as the contest gallery. If you need to make changes to your entry, please get in touch with your contest manager either on the contest discussions on the boards, or by sending them a private message.

Deepika, First thanks for the great tutorial.

I have a question ... does the above mean that if I need to edit the review I've entered for the contest that I can't??

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"I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn't itch.” ~ Gilda Radner
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http://stitchesandseams.blogspot.com

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Reply to Debbie Cook
Date: 3/23/08 11:37 AM

You can edit the review but you can't edit the entry in the contest gallery.

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- Deepika
Founder, PatternReview.com
Vote for the 2010 Contests
http://sewing.patternreview.com/poll/38

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Reply to Debbie Cook
Date: 3/23/08 11:44 AM

Quote: Debbie Cook

... does the above mean that if I need to edit the review I've entered for the contest that I can't??

Debbie - I think Deepika is refering to the actual entries into the contest, not the reviews linked to the entries. You aren't able to adjust those once they have been entered so the contest manager can do it for you.


Great info, Deepika!


Edit: oops, posting at the same time!

-- Edited on 3/23/08 11:45 AM --

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With a great wardrobe that's still in the flat-fabric stage.
Fabric = clothing (some assembly required) (from Re Becca's DH)

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