A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by one of the Sewing Instructors at Fabricland in North Plainfield, NJ. Every year they host a "Project Fabricland" contest for their students ages 12-18. This is the 8th year of the program and they wanted to know if I was interested in being a judge for the competition.
Was I?! I think I jumped up and down and screamed a little before saying yes! *LOL* You know how much I love encouraging people to enjoy this obsession of mine. The fact that I would be encouraging the future of our art form was an added bonus to me!
So hear are the deets...
First can I say that It.Was.Amazing! I know that even though I loved to sew at that age, I wouldn't have had the confidence to enter a contest like this one. Most of the girls were a little shy but some were so confident, perky and amazing. The garments they made were so well thought out and quite a few of them awesomely constructed.
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There were three judges, Tom - who is a costume designer who has designed and sewn for Broadway shows, as well local high school productions. Jeanie - who runs her own sewing business doing anything from alterations to bridal and prom dresses and me.
We judged on the following criteria:
The scoring was from 0 - 10 with 10 being the highest point you could give.
Each girl came out and discussed her garment, it's inspiration and the construction technique. Some were very eloquent...some needed the assistance of their teacher. All had been sewing at least 2 years, most more than that!
The garments ran the gamut from casual to prom like. Most were made from patterns...but there was a self-drafted skirt...and a gown where the young lady had painted the fabric.
Inspiration boards were diverse also...one with a hand painted background, ribbons added, raffia, loads of wonderful details. Most were as well thought out as the garments.
It was the perfect way to spend an evening. It was also a glimpse into the future of sewing! It reassured me that sewing is going to live on and as an sewist who loves this art form, it makes my heart skip a beat with joy!
I took loads of pics ~
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Erika - her blog is: Erika Made It Nancy and Chris the sewing instructors
along with one of the contestants
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Finally, there is a fashion show where all of the girls get to show their designs/creations to their friends and family. It's tomorrow at 2pm at North Plainfield High School at 34 Wilson Avenue in North Plainfield. The cost of the fashion show is $12 at the door and the fee is being donated to the Plainfield Area Humane Society. All of the information regarding the fashion show can be found here.
I hope if you live in the area and have an opportunity to come by that you will. I plan on being there and hope to see you there too!
Finally ~ here are my three favorite pieces of the 21 that were presented. If you come tomorrow, please tell me what your three favorite pieces are...
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...as always more later!
Was I?! I think I jumped up and down and screamed a little before saying yes! *LOL* You know how much I love encouraging people to enjoy this obsession of mine. The fact that I would be encouraging the future of our art form was an added bonus to me!
So hear are the deets...
- The students take either a 12 or 20 week course at Fabricland.
- They work on this garment during that time.
- They are given an inspiration idea - this year it was an animal.
- The garment made had to symbolize the inspirational animal.
- A mood/inspiration board had to be prepared to show the idea for the garment and include the cost of the garment as well as the patterns used.
- For some this was their first year participating. For others they had been involved from the beginning and others were on there second or third time.
- There were 21 students involved.
- The judging was Wednesday, the fashion show is Sunday at 2pm at North Plainfield High.
First can I say that It.Was.Amazing! I know that even though I loved to sew at that age, I wouldn't have had the confidence to enter a contest like this one. Most of the girls were a little shy but some were so confident, perky and amazing. The garments they made were so well thought out and quite a few of them awesomely constructed.
There were three judges, Tom - who is a costume designer who has designed and sewn for Broadway shows, as well local high school productions. Jeanie - who runs her own sewing business doing anything from alterations to bridal and prom dresses and me.
We judged on the following criteria:
- Fit
- How well did the garment fit the inspiration
- How successful was the Mood Board
- How well the garment was sewn/constructed
- The design idea
The scoring was from 0 - 10 with 10 being the highest point you could give.
Each girl came out and discussed her garment, it's inspiration and the construction technique. Some were very eloquent...some needed the assistance of their teacher. All had been sewing at least 2 years, most more than that!
The garments ran the gamut from casual to prom like. Most were made from patterns...but there was a self-drafted skirt...and a gown where the young lady had painted the fabric.
Inspiration boards were diverse also...one with a hand painted background, ribbons added, raffia, loads of wonderful details. Most were as well thought out as the garments.
It was the perfect way to spend an evening. It was also a glimpse into the future of sewing! It reassured me that sewing is going to live on and as an sewist who loves this art form, it makes my heart skip a beat with joy!
I took loads of pics ~
along with one of the contestants
Judging area
Pictures of previous contestants in "Project Fabricland"
and students work...
Finally, there is a fashion show where all of the girls get to show their designs/creations to their friends and family. It's tomorrow at 2pm at North Plainfield High School at 34 Wilson Avenue in North Plainfield. The cost of the fashion show is $12 at the door and the fee is being donated to the Plainfield Area Humane Society. All of the information regarding the fashion show can be found here.
I hope if you live in the area and have an opportunity to come by that you will. I plan on being there and hope to see you there too!
Finally ~ here are my three favorite pieces of the 21 that were presented. If you come tomorrow, please tell me what your three favorite pieces are...
Her inspiration was a butterfly!
Her inspiration was a lion!
Her inspiration was a salmon!
...as always more later!