Yay! The Summer Essentials Sew Along returns for the second year in a row!! I am absolutely delighted to be co-hosting this with two very talented ladies: Ali and Alessa. I participated in the sew-along last year and was incredibly productive. My poolside wrap dress was even a finalist in the Vintage Pattern Wiki Vintage Sewing Giveaway!
Below is taken from Ali's introductory post (with a little tweaking by me):
Summer is all about relaxation and enjoying the moment. In an effort to stay true to that mantra, this year's sew-along asks participants to sew five (or so) warm-weather friendly pieces by August (or thereabouts) because wouldn’t you rather spend August looking fabulous in your handmade threads?
The goal: Stock your closet with quality handmade summer basics.
The benefit: A group of sewers who will encourage and inspire you, not to mention talk you off the ledge when you need it (and don't we all need that at one time or another?).
There are six categories of essential summer wear. Feel free to add to this, but this is just to start us thinking of what you need/want.
Poolside Pretties: Anything that cools or dries you off when there’s lots of sun and water around. One and two-piece swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, surf shorts, sun hats, oh my! One versatile swimsuit cover-up I find lovely is a terry cloth dress. Double-duty, that’s what I’m talking about.
Clam Diggers & Co.: Bifurcated bottoms of every style and length, from flowing linen pants to short-shorts and all the inbetweens—clam diggers, pedal pushers, Bermuda shorts, etc.
Sweet & Sassy Skirts: Prints and solids, short and long, low-slung and high-waisted. But most of all: Airy, flirty, flattering.
The Sundress: Need I say more? To me, the perfect sun dress strikes that cord between casual and elegant—arms and collarbones, looking good barefoot or high-heeled. It’s something you can wear to both a barbecue and a summer wedding. A summer staple I’ve never owned until now.
Lime sundress with exposed zip, self-draftedTees, Tunics & Blouses: Yes, please! I’m finally understanding the worth of blouses as they also strike that balance between casual/formal, totally versatile. I’m also thinking mini-dresses that do triple duty as tunics, dresses and cover-ups.
Those Summer Nights: Pullovers, cardis and hoodies may be the last thing you’re thinking of with the mercury rising, but there’s those cool summer nights, not to mention every last establishment with the air con blasting. Or: for those of you where thunderstorms are a daily summer experience, a lightweight trench?
Accessorize Me!: Many thanks to Stephanie for the suggestion to add this category! Big floppy hats, beach totes, embellished flip flops, handmade jewellery, or other pretty things that snazzy up your accessories are a great fit.
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Click here to join the project Flickr group.
#sesa is the official Twitter hashtag for the sew-along.
To see my sewing plan, click here.
Click here to follow my progress.
Click on 'SESA Participants' in my menu bar to see who is sewing along with us!
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Click here to join the project Flickr group.
#sesa is the official Twitter hashtag for the sew-along.
To see my sewing plan, click here.
Click here to follow my progress.
Click on 'SESA Participants' in my menu bar to see who is sewing along with us!
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JOIN US!
Sew yourself a stylish summer with us! Last year's sew-along was terrific and we're looking forward to welcoming back old friends and meeting new ones. This year's sew-along kicks off on June 1, 2011!
Copy the code below and post it on your blog. Be sure to leave a comment, as I'd love to follow your progress, too!
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Don't forget to enter my Shabby Apple giveaway!
One lucky person will win their very own Lighthouse dress!
Contest closes Saturday, May 28th at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Don't forget to enter my Shabby Apple giveaway!
One lucky person will win their very own Lighthouse dress!
Contest closes Saturday, May 28th at 11:59 p.m. EST.
27 comments:
As if I needed another sewing project! I think I'll be throwing in my closing the gaps stuff too. ;) Anyways, consider me signed up! Can't wait to see what other people make! I'm in for a super sew-tastic summer!
Well, I'm in! Failing miserably at sew-alongs and other sorts of challenge won't keep me from trying...
And I need every single item on this list, dammit.
Me again! Tremulous thoughts on this sew-along: http://star-spangledheart.blogspot.com/2011/05/2nd-annual-summer-essentials-sew-along.html
Can we do a hat/accessory category? Not sure if anyone else is interested in that but I'm making hats!
You rock, Sarah! What a great post. You know, I've been thinking about how well you did last summer: Your June and June project was my first introduction to you and your blog and that Colette Chantilly still makes me wistful. Sigh. What a flattering dress (I've told myself I will not buy all the Colette patterns until I've made the few I have!). Anyway, looking forward to this year, this is gonna be fun!
I just stumbled upon this sewalong and I'm totally in! Less than a week ago I posted my "summer sewing to do list" and while I'll have to make a couple of tweaks to it, this sewalong will be the perfect motivation to get it all done - yippee! It'll be about the blouses and dresses for me.
oh loving this, I have already started on my summer plans so what a great project to join in!
Great post, Sarah, and yay for summer sewing! I think Stephanie has a good point, I could do with a cute tote or something... Should we add accessories to the list?
Wow, I had totally forgotten that I was part of this sew-along last year! I ended up not finishing because my father-in-law died and then I just never got back to my summer projects. :( Can't commit to a sew-along this summer, but I'll be following along!
I'm in! This is the first sew-along I sign up for and I'm really excited! It is perfect to start summer sewing for my new blog: www.sewbasic.org
Totally joining...and going to try to stick to it!
I'm hoping this will help focus my sewing into something other than all dresses, all the time..
I am SO IN!
I've lost some weight (got a new job that keeps me on my feet), and need a new summer wardrobe!
Last year was so productive for me, I'm sure this year will be great!
Garnet
This looks fun. I love all the things you have made. The shorts look so pretty. I need short very badly, but I am not sure about sewing them.
What a fun sew-along! I've been sewing dresses like crazy recently, and desperately need a light jacket for cool Toronto evenings...
Incidentally, as a Canadian resident, I'm kind of surprised you'd use your blog to do a giveaway for a store that excludes Canadian residents? I love Shabby Apple's clothes, but don't love the US-only giveaway rules...
YAY! Count me in!!
@Reethi - Thank you for your comment.
While the giveaway is only open to US residents at this time, I didn't want to exclude my US readers from a chance to win a beautiful dress.
I am confident that as Shabby Apple continues to grow, opportunities for international giveaways will definitely come around.
Hi Sarah, just wanted to let you know SlutWalk is making the news here in Australia - it is on tonight's news - will let you know what they have to say! The news is pretty conservative here, I'm guessing it won't be anything too enlightened.
It's so great to see how many of you have signed up already!! Definitely the more, the merrier! :)
@Rachel - That's amazing!! My friend (and SlutWalk co-founder) told me at the weekend that it's mushroomed worldwide. What an amazing avenue for change in women's rights!! Looking forward to hearing from you :) Kisses to the baby!
Oooh! Just another excuse to go fabric shopping, haha!
But I'd really like to make a tote, some high waisted shorts and a few summer cotton shirts :)
I've signed up - send you a mail and everything ;) Glad I found this and just in time ;)
I'm in...made a skirt today!!! It was easy - panel fabric from Kenya that my niece brought back for me. I'm on a definite skirt kick-it's the 3rd one I've made in the last couple weeks. Have a bunch more I want to make, plus some knit tops to go with them!
I'd love to sign up too! In fact, I thought I had already done it but apparently in my excitement I forgot to join :) Thanks for putting this together.
Please count me in as well! Ever since the Colette Spring challenge, I've been itching for a summer one as well. My blog is What's Up, Cupcake? www.whatsupcupcakeblog.com. I'll start working on my first item tonight!
Hi Sarah,
I have been lazy in keeping up with my blog reading. Plus have been on vaccation.
I missed your post aboout the summer sewalong..
It sounds great.I would love to join in..Am I too late. I know it started on June 1st.[If I am too late, that is fine.I will try to catch you next year]
I love all your fabric choices and patterns. I first found your blog through colette's pallete challenge and loved your palette..
Happy sewing.. and will be watching your finished garments. Judy
Welcome aboard, Judy!! I'm delighted you've joined and I look forward to seeing your creations! :)
I'm a month late, but may I still join the Sew-Along? I've already made three items that fit on your list this summer, so I'm only behind in sharing them with the Flickr group. It would be lovely to meet some more online seamsters and get inspired and motivated by their amazing sewing!
@Amy - It's never too late to join! Welcome aboard! :)
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