Today, as I’m typing this post, I feel so very excited to finally be able to tell you about this challenge I am co-hosting with two lovely ladies, Hattie and Lisa! This has been in the works for a few months now and we tried to keep it a secret, but now it’s time to let you all know!
Below you can find answers to all the questions you have about this challenge, so make sure you read this post.
Ok, first things first.
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What does the hashtag #smyly stand for and what is this challenge all about?
The hashtag #smyly stands for “sewing makes you love yourself”.
The sewing makes you love yourself challenge consists of two tasks:
If you would like to participate, you have to sew a garment that makes you feel beautiful. What kind of garment that is, is totally up to you! On the other hand we would like to invite you to tell your own story on how sewing has changed your life and/or your body image.
- Who is organizing this challenge?
The challenge is organized by me, Athina Kakou (Instagram, You Tube), Hattie van der Krohn (Instagram, YouTube) and Lisa Kisch (Instagram, YouTube)
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When does the #smyly challenge take place?
You can participate from January 1 until February 28th.
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How and where can I participate?
Instagram: If you decide to participate on Instagram, just post a picture of your garment, write down your own sewing story below, using our hashtag #smyly2018 and there you go! Please mention Lisa, Athina and Hattie, in order for us to see what you have made. You can also follow us, but this is not obligatory to be able to participate.
Facebook: We have created a “Sewing makes you love yourself” group for thos of you who want to participate on this platform. Please apply to the group and post your picture and your sewing story there.
YouTube: Want to tell your story on your vlog? No problem, just upload your video and let us know via IG or YouTube as soon as your video is live so we can watch it and share it on our social media.
Blog: You can also write a blog post on your blog, showing the garment you made and sharing your sewing story there. Just let us know with an e-mail at [email protected] so we can see your entry.
Note: You do not have to wear the garment if you are not comfortable posing in front of the camera. It is perfectly fine to take a picture of it on a hanger.
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What are the prizes?
The following companies have kindly offered to support this initiative:
Cashmerette: 1 PDF pattern
Closet Case Patterns: 1 PDF pattern
Cocowawa: 1 Pattern (to be defined)
Cotton Reel Studio: a 30 pounds voucher
Deer and Doe: 1 PDF pattern
Jennifer Lauren Handmade: 1 PDF pattern
Megan Nielsen: 2 PDF patterns of the winners choice (either printed or PDF)
Minerva Crafts: a hamper of gorgeous dressmaking fabric worth 100 pounds
Named Clothing: 1 PDF pattern
Nina Lee London: 1 printed pattern
Pattydoo blog: vouchers for patterns
Schnittchen patterns: 1 printed pattern (new release, the “Sue”) and 3 PDF patterns
Sew Me Sunshine: a 30 pounds voucher
Sew House Seven: 2-5 patterns (printed and PDF)
Sew Over It: an online class of the winner’s choice
Sewalicious: a 30 pounds gift voucher
Stitchy Bee: a 50 pounds gift voucher
Tilly and the Buttons: 1 PDF pattern
Helen’s closet: 1 copy of each of her patterns
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How will the winners be chosen?
Winners will be chosen randomly. We decided to do this, as we are convinced that it would be impossible and wrong to decide that one sewing story is is in any way better than the other. The same applies to the beautiful garments that will be created.
The organizers of the challenge will announce its winners after the closing date which is the February 28th, possibly between March 1st and March 8th via the vhallenge’s Facebook group, as well as on our Instagram accounts and YouTube channels.
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Who are our ambassadors and what is their role? Why and how have we chosen them?
The organizers got in touch with a number of seamstresses to ask them to work as “ambassadors” for this challenge. By sewing a garment and talking about their own sewing story on their social media channels, they will help to get in touch with seamstresses all around the world. We chose our ambassadors because they represent body positivity and the joy of making and creating at its best and they will therefore be an inspiration for potential participants.
We really hope you like this challenge and encourage you to take part! And we are all super excited to hear your stories and see what you’ll make!
In the meantime, make sure you watch our videos:
Athina, Hattie and Lisa
I would love to be part of this challenge. I’m on a ten day silent retreat this month to help with mindfulness and ability to relax. I know that sewing somethin out of the pink jersey I recently purchased will make me happy as I love the colour. Just not sure what to make yet
Yay, what a wonderful idea! I’m adding this to the running list of 2018 challenges over at PetiteFont.com. Thanks for hosting!
Are men excluded from this? I have seen the term seamstress used, the organisers are all female and none of the ambassadors mentioned are male. I appreciate that you are making the effort to include many types of social media in order that a large number of people can participate, which is very thoughtful as not everyone is on Instagram, Facebook etc,
Dear Barbara, I am Hattie one of the three organizers of this challenge, As I have just seen your comment, I thought I would give you a quick reply, which I hope is all right. First of all I would like to thank you for giving this challenge so much thought. Secondly please know that it was not our intention at all to make man feel excluded from this challenge! I do not have any men in my life that sew – but I do know a lot of men that suffer from mental health issues and difficulties accepting themselves and their bodies. The reason to target females was therefore entirely based at the fact, that we don´t know any men within the social media sewing community. And you know what? I totally agree that it would have been nice to have male ambassadors, as well. As I think that it is still not too late to include a men, we would be very, very grateful, if you could name a couple of sewing man, so we can get in touch and ask, whether they would like to join our ambassadors team. I hope that despite this you are still able to enjoy this challenge as much as we do. Lots of love from Germany, xxx Hattie
Just seeing this and looking forward to taking part. When I saw the call for men, Taylor Tailor immediately came to mind. Good luck, everyone!
Well what a wonderful challenge. I will be taking part. Mental Health affects every one & often people just don’t realise it. In the past Mental Health has had such a poor wrap & has been negatively portrayed . I won’t go on, I could talk about the topic quite a bit having been very much affected in my life as I grew up in our family. I will save it for when I have made my make. #SMYLY, what a great hashtag that is. Xx
I would love to be part of this challenge! Sewing has been a very important part of my life.
I am excited to take part in this challenge! I am striving to accept my body for all of the wonderful things that it provides me. Mobility, sight, hearing, feelongs, thoughts, ability to learn and grow. I was in an accident 30 months ago. This has created some new hurdles for me to adapt to, plus some changes in my body, due to losing core strenght.
I have just recently been starting to sew for myself. Iam trying to learn what styles are the most flattering, and functional for me.
Thank you for this opportunity, and the little push to be the best I can be!
Carole
I am so new to this as I haven’t even made anything yet. I sewed a little in my younger years but recently retired to be home with my husband due to his health. I have been watching all you lovely ladies and am so impressed and excited to start sewing. This challenge is just the thing to help me and not be overwhelmed.