Updated 1/9/2012 – Discover all of the rules for this contest here, and check out the amazing prizes here.
Spearheaded by Indygo Junction founder Amy Barickman and sponsored by SINGER® and Coats & Clark, this challenge was created to celebrate the history of sewing by recognizing both SINGER and Coats & Clark, who are both celebrating significant anniversaries this year (160th and 200th, respectively).
This challenge will educate and inspire through the life and work of Mary Brooks Picken, the authority on fashion and dressmaking in the early and mid-1900s. In the coming weeks, Amy Barickman will be posting a series of blog entries that will tell the story of Mary and her illustrious career working with both Coats & Clark and SINGER. Her wonderful story will give life to this super-fun challenge.
This challenge is an opportunity to encourage fashion enthusiasts to use their sewing skills and creativity to make a wearable fashion project. Use one of the following options as your starting point:
Option One: Make a stellar creation with an Indygo Junction pattern.
Option Two: Create something amazing from one of the 12 patterns featured in the award-winning Vintage Notions book.
Option Three: Craft a fantastic garment with one of Indygo Junction’s four free e-patterns.
For further information on these three options, and to watch a video where Amy explains more details, visit Indygo Junction’s Vintage-Inspired Modern Style Design Challenge page.
To enter, submit your design by posting your completed creation as a project on your BurdaStyle profile. You must include the phrase “VintageModern Design Challenge” in your project title. The deadline for submissions is Monday, March 12th at 11:59 pm (EST). The winners will be announced Monday, March 26th [Update (3/28/2012) – Unfortunately, due to unexpected delays, all of the winners will be announced on Friday, March 30th. We apologize for this inconvenience].
Three winners will be selected based on originality, craftsmanship and a strong aesthetic. Approximately $3000 in prizes will be awarded!
Anxious to know exactly what the prizes are? We’ll be announcing them in an upcoming blog post. Stay tuned!
Let’s Celebrate and Sew!
Updated 1/9/2012: P.S. – Check out a fantastic video featuring Indygo Junction founder Amy Barickman discussing the competition:
Jan 16, 2012, 07.43 PMby floreedith
Hello mynameisdavid,
this is also the last question I need to ask in addition to the previous one…(still awaiting)….Is it ok to put the 3 adaptations/interpretations/variations in the 1 project….since multiple entries are not accepted??
Could not decide which to submit as I was inspired to design 3 instead of the one. So please let me know as soon as you can (answer the 2 questions) thanks!!
1 Reply
Jan 17, 2012, 05.08 AMby Julia Morley
Mynameisdavid answered your question on the prizes article – multiple entries are allowed
Jan 13, 2012, 10.38 PMby IndygoJunction
So great to see all the excitement for the challenge! If you’re looking for a starting pattern, don’t miss our pattern sale going on this weekend! It ends Sunday night! http://ow.ly/8sZUf
Jan 13, 2012, 02.04 AMby annmorton
Bought and was enchanted with Vintage Notions! Now, because I love ALL of the magic patterns, am I limited on number of entries?
1 Reply
Jan 23, 2012, 05.39 PMby mynameisdavid
Hi annmorton,
No, you are not limited to a number of entries. We look forward to seeing your submissions!
- David
Jan 10, 2012, 04.18 PMby mixtlii
I am sorry but I don’t really get it, what are the objectives? Only to make one of the patterns? Is there a theme, is it supposed to look vintage? Are we allowed to modify the patterns, or is it only a matter of colours and customizing? It looks so broad, choosing a winner is going to be difficult….
1 Reply
Jan 11, 2012, 07.56 PMby mynameisdavid
Hi Mixtlii,
Thank you for your questions. The theme is meant to be broad, in order for you to be able to incorporate your own unique aesthetic and vision. The only requirement is that you should use one of the patterns mentioned. Your final garment does not necessarily have to be vintage-inspired. It all depends on your interpretation of the pattern you choose.
Yes, you are allowed to modify the patterns. In fact, a significant modification may become an Indygo Junction pattern (see the prizes here).
Good luck, and please let me know if you have any further questions.
- David
Jan 10, 2012, 10.32 AMby debilovessewing
I’m definitely in. I absolutely adore Amy Barickman’s Vintage Notions book! Can we post our project on our own blogs as well or only on our BurdaStyle page?
Jan 9, 2012, 01.14 AMby fashionfreek
Can you add or takeaway from the chosen pattern?? I have not decided yet to take part..yet:-)
1 Reply
Jan 11, 2012, 07.57 PMby mynameisdavid
Hi fashionfreek,
Yes, you can alter the pattern however you’d like. In fact, a design that significantly alters a pattern may become a new Indygo Junction pattern (see the prizes here).
- David
Jan 6, 2012, 05.45 PMby lrscru1412
Excuse me for my ignorance but the rules say “To enter, submit your design by posting your completed creation as a project on your BurdaStyle profile. You must include the phrase “VintageModern Design Challenge” in your project title.” We do not mail the completed project in? How will any of the catagories be judged this way? If so are they returned. (Don’t expect ya’ll to pay the postage) Southern Gal
1 Reply
Jan 9, 2012, 03.17 PMby mynameisdavid
Hi irscru,
No, you do not need to mail your completed project in. We will judge them based on the project you upload onto your BurdaStyle profile.
Jan 5, 2012, 03.17 AMby Jessica Nestor
Oh this is exciting!! Cant wait to create!! : )
Jan 4, 2012, 06.12 PMby oceanpeg
When will the video for the contest info be up and running?
1 Reply
Jan 6, 2012, 05.39 AMby sew4my3
Just click on the link above and the video is ready to be viewed.
Jan 4, 2012, 04.33 PMby sassmama
Oh how I love a challenge!!
Jan 4, 2012, 02.16 PMby sprytehart
Is there an age requirement for the contest? Will more detailed rules be posted? Thanks!
1 Reply
Jan 4, 2012, 03.39 PMby mynameisdavid
Hi Sprytehart,
The age requirement is 13 years of age or older, which is the age requirement for our site. Yes, more detailed rules will be posted.
Jan 4, 2012, 11.28 AMby mlssfshn
If originality is the top judging criteria and the winning garment will be produced as a new pattern, why must we start with a pattern? And where do we find the 4 free patterns I’ve checked both sites and nothing is listed.
2 Replies
Jan 4, 2012, 12.43 PMby raving
They are linked to at the bottom of this page: http://www.indygojunction.com/about/vintage-modern-design-challenge/
They’re all very, very basic. I guess that means a good opportunity to customize and improve.
Jan 8, 2012, 12.11 AMby freakusbzzz
That’s what I was thinking.
Jan 4, 2012, 05.25 AMby marieclaude
So it’s open to international participants, right?
1 Reply
Jan 5, 2012, 06.57 PMby mynameisdavid
Hi MarieClaude,
Yes, this challenge is open to international participants.
Jan 4, 2012, 05.20 AMby darcie
Hmm, I’ve been stashing the IJ Trench Topper pattern for a couple years now. Maybe I need to finally get my act together and decide on fabric for it in the next couple months! This is the year I’m actually going to submit for these kind of things. No, really.
Jan 4, 2012, 03.59 AMby drowan
This will be fun
Jan 4, 2012, 02.40 AMby SewWhatever
I have had my eye in the indygo junction day to night dress (IJ907) this contest may just be the push I need to do it. So here I go…pull up my big girl panties and get to working something fantastic.
Jan 4, 2012, 02.31 AMby sharon-m
This sounds fun!