Monday 2 February 2015

What's Happening in February...

A quick heads up on some sewing related happenings in February..

Sewing for KIDS...

Project Run and Play has changed the format this year. At the beginning of each month one past Project Run & Play Contestant will pick one of their free patterns or tutorials. Each monthly winner will be receiving over $100 prize package. February's challenge is yet to be announced.

Modkid is hosting the Reese Sew-Along, February 9 - 13. Participants will need to purchase the Reese pattern. There's a 30% discount on everything in the Modkid store. There will be an overall participation prize awarded at random to one participant.

kid's clothes weekThe theme for the coming season of KCW is upcycled. Running from February 2  - 9, participants sew 1 hour a day for 7 days. Sign ups are open.

February is all about FREE sewing inspiration over at Frances Suzanne. During Free for All, there will be lots of guest bloggers, all with suggestions for free sewing, as well as a link party where you can add any children's clothes made with free patterns or tutorials.



HANDBAGS...

The Sugar and Spice Sew_Along runs till February 13. Enter photos of your finished bag into the Facebook album for a chance to win pattern prizes. Participants need to purchase the Sugar and Spice handbag pattern.



WOMEN'S CLOTHES...

Wardrobe Architect is all about designing a personal wardrobe throughout 2015. Runs till December. January covered finding your core style and exploring shapes. February is cleaning out your closet and taking inventory.

Sew Your Own Wardrobe for a Year - that's the challenge - no ready to wear purchases from January 1st to December 31st 2015.

Sew a 1930's capelet with Sew Retro Rose. Sew-along starts 1st  February.

Sew the Show - Each month Alida Makes will choose a television show. Alida will sew something inspired by the show and will feature some patterns that could be used. Participants sew their own piece. One entry will be chosen at random to win a prize.

February's project over at The Monthly Stitch, is Solid Colours. Details to be announced.

The Historical Sew Monthly - Every month in 2015 will feature a themed challenge to sew (knit, crochet, tatt,  embroider or otherwise create) an historical garment or accessory that fits the theme.



MONTHLY Challenges...

Celtic Thistle Stitches Fiona is again hosting Ho Ho Ho and On We Sew, a monthly link party to encourage Christmas sewing throughout the year. There will be guest hosts, tutorials and giveaways each month. Add your projects from 18th of each month. I'm determined to join in this year!!! Details yet to be announced for 2015.

New to Me in 2015 is a place to show off anything new you have tackled for the month. Projects don't have to be sewing related. Link ups open on the 25th of each month and stay open till the end of the month.

Le ChallengeEvery 15th of every month, there is a new theme for all crafters to interpret in their choice of crafty weapons. Details for this month's Le Challenge have yet to be announced.

Smalls: pin cushions, needlebooks, book marks, biscornus, ornaments, etc, can be sewn for the 2015 Smalls SAL. The SAL is open to new participants all year. You can join in whenever you’d like.

The Teacher Librarian2015 Sewing Design / Inspiration Challenge! - each month there will be a topic or challenge to stretch creative ideas and step outside the box. There is no winner, no judgement. Just lots of bragging. Challenges apply to both dressmaking or patchwork/quilting projects.



STASH BUSTING...

Join Project:Leasa for Sew My Stash 2015. There will be challenges throughout the year.

The Stash Busting Sew Along 2015 is hosted by Tumbleweeds in the Wind. There is a different theme each month.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge over at So Scrappy - Each month a new colour will be chosen. You just need to dig out some scraps in that colour and make something -- anything. Each Saturday a Scraphappy link up will be posted so that you can see what everyone else is up to and collect some new scrap busting ideas



UFO Challenges...

AllPeopleQuilt is challenging their readers to finish some UFOs (unfinished projects) with the help of 2015 UFO Challenge. Post photos of your finished projects and progress on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using the hashtag#APQResolution.

A Lovely Year of Finishes - Each month pick one project, anything you like (it can even be an entirely new project, so long as you can finish it in the current month) and tell yourself, “I Will Finish It.” Prizes drawn randomly each month.

2015 FAL at On the Windy SideOn the Windy Side is hosting the 2015 Finish-Along, where you'll find the motivation to whip those WIPs, polish off those PHDs and wrap up those UFOs. Lots of prizes.



ONGOING Themed Sewing Link Parties...

Add your refashioning projects to the Clothes Upcycling link party at Creating My Way to Success. Projects can be added at any time. The 500+ projects already added will provide you with lots of ideas and inspiration for your refashioning and repurposing.

Threading My Way_Threading Your WayThreading Your Way  - themed ongoing sewing link parties here at Threading My Way. You can add as many projects as you like throughout the year, or just check out the sewing ideas, tutorials, pattern reviews and pictures, made by YOU.



QUILTING...

Sew Fresh QuiltsSew Fresh Quilts is hosting the Elephant Parade Quilt Along. Lorna will be showing a block each week. You can try out as many or as few blocks as you like. Make a quilt or make a mini. Make a cushion. Make whatever your imagination leads you to make!

The Drunkard's Path Quilt-Along is a monthly goal to sew one block and finish a quilt in time for Christmas 2015.

The Snapshots Quilt Along will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Fat Quarter Shop and Moda Fabrics will match up to $10,000 of donations raised.

The English Manor Mystery Quilt Along is themed around the show Downton Abbey but you don't have to watch the show in order to lay along. The mystery quilt along runs over a 12-week period, with a new block pattern released each week.

Is your scrap bin overflowing? Do you want to bust some scraps but just not sure what you want to make? Or are you looking for a fast pattern and to have some fun with others in a Quilt A Long? Join the Scrappy Log Cabin Quilt-A-Long 2015.

The Irish Chain Twist Quilt-A-Long runs till mid April and is hosted by Happy Quilting. There will be lots of size options and easy step-by-step weekly directions. Weekly progress prizes and Grand Prizes at the end.

The Charm Square Sampler Quilt Along runs till early April. Shannon, from Modern Tradition Quilts will post every Saturday with the next week's instructions.

Sew Sweet Simplicity free BOM began last October, but you can still sign up- you will receive all of the previous blocks plus a bonus tote bag pattern. After this Block of the Month event is over next month, the pattern links will be de-activated.

There are 9 patterns in the Zoo Animals Quiet Play Block of the Month. Each month one free pattern becomes available. The patterns range in skill level, with the easiest first. The 10" blocks are foundation paper pieced.

The In Flight Quilt Along uses paper pieced patterns.There are discounts if you buy the patterns early. There will be monthly link parties and prizes.



ONGOING charity projects...

Hopeful ThreadsSew to Share - Kristy, from Hopeful Threads, will be focusing on sewing a variety of items to help others, on-going throughout the year.

Fluff Project (large) The Fluff Project is all about making stuffed toys for children in foster care. What started as a monthly project, co-ordinated by Kristy, from Hopeful Threads, has now turned into an ongoing drive.

Days for Girls International: Feminine Hygiene Program... Every Girl. Everywhere. Period. Veronica, at SewVery, brought this one to my attention. Such easy projects we can sew to help these girls retain their dignity.

Imagine a world where every little girl owned at least one dress. This is the aim of Dress a Girl Around the World. There are chapters around the world and within many states of the U.S. The Australian, Washington and UK branches are very active, as no doubt are many others. These are just the ones I've had contact with.



Miscellaneous...

Sew in Tune, hosted by Melly Sews, is a series where guests that share their inspired by music sewing projects

Definitely no shortage of sewing events, challenges and sew-alongs for February and throughout the year. I'm aiming to spread my Christmas sewing throughout the year and am off to a good start already. This month I'm also hoping to begin another quilt. What are you planning to sew this month?

... Pam

7 comments:

  1. WOW that's a list and a half - I haven't heard of quite a few of those, so I'll be doing some clicking and reading :) I participate in the Ho Ho Ho and the New to Me linky parties - I know the February and October hostesses!! ;) I kept track of my fabric purchases for January and I think I better check out the stash busting links - if my math was correct, I bought 54m in January but used up only 14m(ish) - that appears to be an increase, not a reduction ;)

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  2. My goodness, what a list!! Tempted by KCW but that starts TODAY!!

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  3. What a lot of work pulling that list together! I definitely need some help busting the stash, so I will be checking those scrappy ones out.

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  4. Really? So many happenings?? Great list!

    I'm running another fabric giveaway, and you are welcome to enter!

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  5. What a fantastic line up of things to be involved with. Off to check them out and choose a couple to suit. Thanks Pam x

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  6. I love the idea of theming a wardrobe to specific TV shows, sadly my sewing skills are not quite up to it, but I can dream!

    Thanks for the shout out on Ho, Ho, Ho and New to Me too Pam.

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  7. Add Sewing in Tune by Melly Sews starting next monday I guess! Thanks for putting this together every single month Pam, I always come to check them up.

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