Britex Bow Tie Contest Hey all you swanky dudes and dudettes! 598 folks have downloaded BurdaStyle’s bow tie PDF since we posted it on November 2010. That is 598 dandies, wearing 598 suave neck-ties….amazing! Show the love, and email M. Du Jour at Britex Fabrics photos of you wearing your self-made bow ties! All bow tie hardware is available on Britex fabrics’ 3rd floor, and is available by in-store or mail (415-392-2910.) This contest runs through New Years Eve, 2012. The grand prize winner will be based upon their creativity, verve, and all-out fabulousness!

Shelley at the wonderful sewing blog, NewVintageLady: Vintage Sewing for the Stout Woman is holding a quick and dirty Make & Mend contest whose prize is this original pattern for a 1940s daytime frock. Make it up in a saucy lime polka-dotted cotton, then pack your hamper for a lazy summertime picnic of lemonade, hard-boiled eggs, pimento cheeses sandwiches, and oatmeal cookies, followed by an afternoon slumber under a weeping willow tree.

Spoonflower, the personal DIY fabric printing company, in conjunction with Michael Miller fabrics have announced a textile design contest, with the winner debuting at the International Quilt Market – Fall 2011. Here is your chance to become a fabric designer for world-renowned Michael Miller Fabrics! This contest ends on March 24th, 2011.

M. Du Jour has finally completed making their rubber spats, and wore them into the office today! They are made from chrome snaps from Britex, up-cycled truck inner tubes, and rivets, with pattern guidance from Minnie at thankyoufornotbeingperky. These spats are très chic, with a touch of la brute, and are ideal for rainy San Francisco winter weather. No more unsightly rubber galoshes; these will keep your calves dry, and your attire en vogue.

At long last, we can announce our international spats contest winner. These exceedingly fabulous and butchly spats (or ‘spaterdashes), were a collaborative effort between Autumn of Dark Garden: Unique Corsetry and Couture Clothing and her beau, Daniel. We are particularly enamored with the combination of back lacing and buckles. They have made another pair in gray wool and deep red patent leather, which M. Du Jour has complete drooling zombie lust for! Now, on to making rubber spats with chrome snaps…….

The Fall 2010 issue of SewStylish, demonstrated jacket tailoring techniques, including tailoring the perfect hem, sewing a professional-looking lapel, and personalized fitting. To enter this contest, upload a photo of a jacket you’ve made to the craftstylish.com contest gallery. First place will receive a $200 gift certificate from Spoonflower (your place to create your own fabrics and find unique pieces designed by other sewers), a copy of Pattern Boutique Version 5 pattern-drafting software from Wild Ginger, and an adjustable dress form from Singer. Be sure and upload your designs before October 18th for a chance to win!

The Spats Contest end date has been extended a month to Monday, August 2nd! Britex Fabrics honors International Spats Month with a spats contest! Whether you call them spats, gaiters or jambieres, Monsieur Du Jour loves them. Spats add a debonair spark to anyone’s attire. Tan suede spats are foppish with summer seersucker pleated pants, and sparkly bubblegum pink patent leather spats are charming for prancing in parades. Here are two directions for making spats; one is an easy pattern from Minnie at thankyoufornotbeingperky, and the other is more complex directions from Threadbanger and Zoh Morrigan.

Contest Details: Send us a photo of your stupendous handmade spats by Monday, August 2nd at high noon. Judges include M. Du Jour and cohorts. The glorious grand prize includes a gift certificate to Britex’ online notions store, plus an additional, extraordinary surprise gift from Britex Fabrics.
Email Britex and Monsieur Du Jour!

Dresses are a girl’s best friend in the summer. In the spirit of all things summer, we want to see your summer dress creations! Show off your sewing stuff in our SewStylish Summer Dress to Impress Contest. To enter, simply upload an image of a summer dress you’ve made. Don’t forget to include up-close shots of the details that make your design unique as well as a shot of the entire garment. Your dress can be made from a pattern you purchased or an original design. Please be sure to include a detailed write-up describing how you made your dress along with any special sewing details you want pointed out.
Entries must be received by July 23rd, 11:59 p.m. to qualify. You could win great prizes including a StyleBasic Dress Form from Manne-King and a $50.00 gift card from us (Britex Notions.) SewStylish will chose their favorite 5 dresses based on originality, technique and quality, and then you’ll vote on the winner!

The lovely Floresita at FeelingStitchy.com is holding a Rainbow of Stitches Contest!
Prizes! Each category pick will get a sweet prize that could include: embroidery floss, pdf patterns, vintage patterns, fat quarters, blank tea towels or pillowcases…..AND….each of the 9 winners will be featured on Feeling Stitchy with a brief interview.
How To Enter: Want to enter? It’s easy! Join the Rainbow of Stitches Contest Group, and add your entries.
The Rules: Entries must be hand-embroidered by you. Can be any size and on anything – handkerchief, pillowcase, clothing, quilt, pillow, atc, etc. Works don’t have to be all one color, but they should have one dominant color or theme. Have fun with it!

• May 1 – 31: Feeling Stitchy accepts submissions
• June 5 – 13: 9 category winners featured on Feeling Stitchy
• June 13 – 15: You vote for Grand Prize Winner
• June 16, 2010: Winner announced!