Flip this Pattern: a Reflection
Wow!! Has it really been TWO YEARS since the inception of “Flip this Pattern”?!?!?! Our dream of a series was unveiled on our one year “blogiversary”….selfishly. You see, we needed “HELP”!! The fact of the matter is: we LOVE working from patterns….but needed some guidance in “flipping them” {so to speak} to create a unique design of our own. We were warned that a “year long series” is a HUGE commitment, and that we might want to start small – as in, one month. But, we craved your expertise….so we bit the bullet, and “Flip this Pattern” was born.
Year One was revealed in its entirety – 12 months of “flips”, complete with competitors and a sew-along for all to participate. Sponsors were secured, and we were set to go. As expected, the contributing bloggers didn’t disappoint!! Amazing entries were seen – month in and out. It was such a humbling experience to see sewists pour their heart and soul into a “flipped creation.”
E & E Patterns: Bubble Pocket Shorts
1. do guincho 2. Frances Suzanne 3. Mommy’s Apron Strings
4. An Apprentice Housewife 5. Winter Wonderings
Oliver + S: Roller Skate Dress
1. Nest Full of Eggs 2. Frances Suzanne
3. so-cal sewing mom 4. Sutures & Sandpaper 5. Cath Grace
Straight Grain: Tinny
1. Sewing Like Mad 2. S is for Sewing 3. Mouse House Creations
4. Frances Suzanne 5. Elegance & Elephants 6. Pienkel
Pattern Anthology: Alphabet Collection
1. Little Kids Grow 2. Call Ajaire 3. Art Bella
4. Frances Suzanne 5. Daisy-Chain Creations
Figgy’s Studio: Sunki Dress
1. you & mie 2. Once Upon a Notion
3. iCandy handmade 4. Handmade Martini 5. Frances Suzanne
6. The Powell Clan 7. Frances Suzanne
Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop: Hangout Hoodie
1. Shaffer Sisters 2. If Only They Would Nap
3. Foster Ramblings 4. Designs by Sessa
Shwin Designs: No. 9 Trousers
1. Shaffer Sisters 2. Edith & Eloise
3. Winter Wonderings 4. Daisy-Chain Creations
Clever Charlotte: Chickadee Blouse & Skirt
1. Edith & Eloise 2. greendoodle 3. so-cal sewing mom
4. Shaffer Sisters 5. Siestas & Sewing
Violette Field Threads: Josephine Blouse & Dress
1. Edith & Eloise 2. sewVery
3. Sewing Mama RaeAnna 4. Mama Says Sew
Blank Slate Patterns: Beachy Boatneck
1. lbg studio 2. Friends Stitched Together
3. Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop 4. Shaffer Sisters
Heidi and Finn: Color Block Dress
1. Crafty Cupboard 2. Cheeky D in Heels
3. Once Upon a Sewing Machine 4. Sweeter than Cupcakes
The Cottage Mama: Run Around Romper
1. Mommy’s Apron Strings 2. Frances Suzanne 3. S is for Sewing
4. The Powell Clan 5. Edith and Eloise 6. Mama Says Sew
Then, came YEAR TWO. And, the revamping of the “Flip this Pattern” series. Nothing major…..just mainly scheduling {releasing the competitors within the same week, instead of throughout the month}, and only releasing our plans ONE. SEASON. AT. A. TIME!! We’d like to think it added a little intrigue to the series… Oh, and we had a “kick-off month” to begin each season – one with a little “twist.” The summer season began with a pattern selected by our readers. The fall season was jump started with a “September Showcase” – highlighting 10 indie designers (those with 5 or fewer children’s patterns). And, finally, the spring season began with a month of FREE PATTERNS – in the February “Free for All.”
We secured a brand new line-up of competitors, but included past winners by having them showcase the monthly pattern through an introductory post.
Zonen 09: Charlie
1. de wereld van biebie 2. An Apprentice Housewife
3. Frances Suzanne 4. Handmade Frenzy 5. I’m Feelin’ Crafty
6. Handmade Martini 7. Compagnie-M
Oliver + S: Croquet Dress
1. Frances Suzanne 2. While She Was Sleeping
3. Dandelion Drift 4. Sumo’s Sweet Stuff 5. Sweeter Than Cupcakes
6. Daisies and Dresses 7. The Inspired Wren
Sis Boom: Ethan Shirt
1. Falafel & the Bee 2. Make It Handmade 3. 2 Little Hooligans
4. Caila Made 5. Frances Suzanne
6. Skirt Fixation 7. Nest Full of Eggs
Flip this Pattern: September Showcase
1. sewpony Vintage: Cosi Swimsuit 2. Jennuine Design: LOL Swing Top
3. Sew Like My Mom: Busy Lizzy Dress
4. Peaches and Peanuts: Jack & Jill Shirt
5. Shaffer Sisters: Betty Skirt 6. LouBeeClothing: Shandiin Tank & Tunic
7. Titchy Threads: Small Fry Skinny Jeans
8. Rock the Stitch: Fawn Lily Tunic & Dress
9. imagine gnats: Meridian Cardigan
10. Sewlosophy: Serendipity Swing Coat
{and a kickoff to the series with our version of
SewVery’s Sunny Day Dress….}
Brownie Goose: Hattie
1. Stitched by Crystal 2. I Married Superman 3. Stitched Together
4. Glitter and Wit 5. SewVery
6. Kimmie Sew Crazy 7. Frances Suzanne
Dear My Kids: Trendy Unisex Pea Coat
1. Behind the Hedgerow 2. Chelise Patterson 3. Edith and Eloise
4. Winter Wonderings 5. Straight Grain 6. Cheeky D in Heels
Flip this Pattern: February “Free for All”
We joined the fun with a round-up of our own creations, all using FREE patterns!! Then, thirty bloggers shared items sewn using FREE patterns, and a linky party of 100+ free patterns was created.
Peek-a-Boo Pattern Shop: Boardwalk Hoodie & Henley
1. Sew Like My Mom 2. The Crazy Tailor 3. Inspinration
4. Deux Souriceaux 5. From-a-Box 6. Stitched by Crystal
Brooklyn Pattern Co: Franklin Dress
1. Kimmie Sew Crazy 2. Kid Approved
3. Frances Suzanne 4. Dotta 5. Sutures and Sandpaper
6. Edith & Eloise 7. S is for Sewing
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Flip this Pattern: Thanks
While we began “Flip this Pattern” primarily for selfish reasons, it seemed to grow into something much larger – and quite unexpected for us. “Flip this Pattern” was where a plethora of friendships were formed!! Between the participating competitors, sew-along participants, generous sponsors, and pattern companies….our bucket was full! Seriously overflowing….
We saw PHENOMENAL “behind the scenes” support for the series as sign-ups were released, with slots being filled in 5-7 minutes!!! Talk about FUN to sit back and watch everyone sign up, and see the competitor line-up for the months as they were formed!!
We saw pattern companies and sponsors commit to our series in “good faith” {although many had not personally worked with us in the past}.
We saw bloggers connect with one another. We saw a positive community of support growing for participants each and every month.
We saw pattern companies become exposed to some amazing seamstresses they may not have been aware of….
YES! YES! YES! Fist pump….YES!! It was more than we ever imagined!! ALL. BECAUSE. OF. YOU!!!!!
Now, if you are still hanging with us….on this incredibly LONG post {full of the awesomeness showcased through TWO YEARS of “Flip this Pattern”}….WOW, and THANK YOU!!
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Flip this Pattern: Farewell
As for “Year Three”?? Well, after much thought and discussion, we are indefinitely discontinuing the “Flip this Pattern” portion of our blog. It has always been our desire to keep the series fresh and exciting, and feel as if discontinuing it is the best move for us at this time. Yes, series are a LOT of work, and they are not for the “faint of heart.” Yet we can’t imagine our blog without these past two years of “Flip this Pattern” and the quality content showcased by some amazingly talented ladies!! While we aren’t ready to say goodbye to “Flip this Pattern” forever, we are leaving it as an “indefinite suspension” for now.
We still hope and plan to inspire you through our creations….and use the knowledge gleaned from “Flip this Pattern” to share unique creations with you!
That said, we’d LOVE to hear from you as to what you’d like to see here! What kind of posts do you enjoy? Do you have any content requests?? We are currently reflecting on the past two years, as well as planning for the months ahead…..so, “sound off” and we’ll see what we can do!
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