Sewing Challenges – October 2024

Scrapbusting September

Becky @notes_from_the_sewing_room and Karen @sew.little.time are bringing back their popular sustainable sewing challenge! #SewUpcycle24 is the perfect opportunity to transform something unused into a fab garment or bag.

You can use a tablecloth, a curtain, a bedspread, an old unworn piece of clothing to create a garment or bag for yourself or someone else. We want to appreciate the transformation, so make sure you share a before photo as well as the finished make. Reveal your make on 31st October using #sewupcycle24 and tag Becky @notes_from_the_sewing_room and Karen @sew.little.time.

Enjoy inspiration on YouTube by following the vlog tour and get motivated by all the prizes up for grabs!

Janome Sewing In Colour: Burnt Orange

Burnt orange is the epitome of the autumnal colour palette. Think falling leaves, pumpkin spice and cosy evenings.

All you have to do to be in with a chance of winning some fabulous Janome goodies, is sew something with orangey hues and share your completed sewing project to Instagram before the end of Thursday 31st October. Tag @janomeuk in your photo and add #JanomeSewingInColour to your caption.

Time to check if you’ve got any orange fabric in your stash! Why not try using Filters in Stash Hub to see what your options are?

#OTOÑORETORNO

Get ready for the return to autumn with the #OTOÑORETORNO challenge hosted by @tallerlili_espaciocreativo and @carmen.cose and sponsored by @suenaentretelas.

Get involved in this challenge by picking one of these three approaches:

• Sew something related to the return to autumn activities (e.g. Back to school. Back to work, back to the gym)
• Sew something with the typical colours of autumn.
• Return fabric to use by sewing a used fabric, it can be with scraps from a previous project or reusing clothes that you no longer use or household clothes.

You can combine this challenge with other challenges – it could tie in really well with #SewUpcycle24 and the burnt orange theme of #JanomeSewingInColour.

Tunic Sew-Along

Do you need motivation to sew a tunic pattern you’ve bought and haven’t gotten around to yet? Join Janine in the Tunic Sewalong for the perfect motivation to sew a tunic. Tunics are so versatile going from super casual to dressy. Top to dress length. Simple to elaborate. Floaty fabric like chiffon to cosy corduroy. Cool weather to hot weather.

Sew a tunic between October 1 – November 15, 2024. Janine plans to use the patterns from The Tunic Bible (Authors Sarah Gunn & Julie Starr). You could use this book or any other tunic pattern – you could even have a go at drafting a tunic yourself. Inspiration and ideas will be posted on JanineSews.com and JanineSews on YouTube.

Post your make on Instagram before 15th November, tag @janineerm and use #tunicsewalong24 to enter this sewing challenge.

Sewn with Big 5

This monthly challenge celebrates the amazing community of makers sewing with Big 5 patterns. To enter, sew any patterns from the Big 5 brands including Simplicity, McCall’s, Vogue, Know Me, Butterick, New Look and Burda to be in with a chance of winning a pattern voucher to spend on the Sew Direct website. To enter the October prize draw, use #SewnWithBig5Oct and tag @simplicitymccallsuk

Amy @almondrock_sews (who works with Simplicity) joined me on Stash Chats and revealed that all Big 5 patterns use the same block, which means it’s easy to mix-and-match to create your perfect pattern!

This challenge is open to UK and Europe only and you can enter as many times as you like. The winner will be chosen by public vote from a shortlist of three and contacted via the @simplicitymccallsuk Instagram account.

Worktober

Let’s show the sewing community that workwear doesn’t have to be boring! #Worktober is a month long celebration of me-made workwear. This challenge, hosted by @alexandria_arnold, will focus on business casual and more elevated styles. Think dressed up rather than dressed down. Worktober is open to everyone, though, so if you’re a yoga teacher and want to focus on activewear, that’s fine too.

Sew workwear suitable for your job during the month of October. Share your makes to Instagram and tag @alexandria_arnold and #Worktober. Follow challenge host @alexandria_arnold for pattern recommendations, comparisons and style thoughts

MAGAM: Opulent October

Let’s get luxurious with the Make A Garment A Month theme for October – Opulent October! As always, there are lots of different ways you could interpret this challenge brief. Use opulent fabric from your stash or boost the quality of your make with some couture finishes.

You’re welcome to combine this challenge with other challenges, so see which other October 2024 sewing challenges you can bring a little opulence to.

To join in with this sewing challenge, share your finished garment to Instagram during October and tag hosts @suestoney @sewing_in_spain and @sewnotmature and use #MagamOpulentOctober #magamsewalong.

Finish That WIP

Do you need a push to get your crafty works in progress (WIPs) finished? Let’s get them done together with the #FinishThatWIP2024 challenge throughout October!

Take any handcraft project that is currently in progress and finish it during the month of October. Share your completed project on October 30th using #FinishThatWIP and tagging @onelisashow.

There will be a random prize draw for extra motivation and a vlogger tour on YouTube for inspiration.

SewRompJumpPlay

Are you eyeing a jumpsuit or romper pattern that you haven’t had a chance to make yet? This challenge is the perfect motivation to finally sew it up!

To join in, simply sew a romper, jumpsuit, playsuit, boiler suit, or overalls for an adult between September 25 and October 26, 2024. Share your creation on Instagram on reveal day, 26th October. Tag the challenge host, @85thAndWade, in your post and use the hashtag #SewRompJumpPlay2024 in your caption to connect with other makers.

If you’d like to keep everyone updated on your progress, feel free to use the hashtag #SewRompJumpPlayPeek to share your plans and works in progress.

The Bag Making Challenge

Get ready for a week packed with creativity and excitement! You’re invited to the Studio7t7 virtual bag-making party, where you can participate in fun challenges, win prizes, and gather plenty of tips and tricks. Throughout the week, sew a fantastic zipper pouch that’s perfect for beginners. But don’t worry—if you’re more experienced, you’re bound to pick up some new techniques along the way!

This free event runs from 21st to 25th October. To get involved, simply sign up via this link.

You won’t need much fabric or fancy supplies to join in on the fun. Sign up to get all the details about materials sent straight to your inbox soon.