February 10, 2014

thank you

Seriously.
When I was asked to participate in Project Run and Play I was so shocked.
I just wanted to make it past week one....four weeks later and I made it through the finale.
So thank you for your support, your comments, your willingness to go through this journey with me.

The one thing I told myself prior to starting this season was I wanted to challenge myself.
I wanted this to be a learning experience for me. Yes I had some sewing skills coming in but I was making lots of shirts and pants for my boys, because that is what they wear everyday. This was my chance to push myself to do more.
Week one was maybe the biggest challenge of all. Working with a fabric I knew nothing about and taking on a project that was way over my skill. But after multiple hours I learned so many new things from just making this one jacket.

Week two was a whole different story. A look for a girl. Not only did finding a model turn out to be an interesting project, but its just so different to embellish an outfit with girly touches. This is something I rarely do since I have three boys but it turned out to be a lot of fun. Plus I am hoping to copycat a few of these pieces for myself.

Week three was my element- refashioning. To push myself this week I worked with some different techniques. Welt pockets, drafting from measurements, dying a colored fabric, and of course adding a crochet element. There were many points this week where I had to make it work because of the new skills I was working with but apparently it came together because I won this week....wow!

The finale.
This week I worked with some wovens for a challenge. My fabric of choice is definitely knit because of the comfort factor for my boys. But I stepped out on a limb and chose some wovens and dove in. Definitely different than knits- at one point when hemming Case's pants I was wishing I hadn't chosen a woven but I figured it out.

What can I say after finishing it all?
I loved the chance to participate. I loved how my community stepped up and made it apparent that they love and support my work. This wouldn't have happened without a few people. My husband who rallied not only for support but also stepped up to take our boys for hours on end. My good friend Kara who walked with me step by step and was honest when things were not looking good. And each and every one of you who took the time to vote and get me through all four weeks.
So thank you.
I am unsure what direction I will go next. Will for sure keep sewing for my boys and hoping to sew more for myself. (Suggestions on good women's patterns?!)

But should probably clean up the mess that I created the last four weeks....oh...my.

20 comments:

  1. As a boy mom I love that (almost) all your looks were for your boys! It's always fun to see more of that :) You did great!
    Amy

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    1. thanks so much....was such a good (and very much a learning) experience!

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  2. Amazing! You really stepped up and chose difficult projects, so creative, colorful and fun! I'm just downright impressed. Congratulations to the whole family!
    Karen

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    1. thanks karen- wouldn't have made it so far without all the voters!

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  3. Jacqeline-

    I thought your work was brilliant and I shared it with my family. So now I have a proposition for you........my daughter would like you to make her an 8th grade graduation dress. Are you up for the challenge of a teenage girl (13)?

    Melanie

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    1. still thinking on this one...honestly- it terrifies me!

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  4. You did amazing work! It was such an honor sewing along with you!! Scientific Seamstress has a lot of great womens patterns. I also LOVE the skipper top from Sew Much Ado! Can't wait to see what you'll be coming out with!

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  5. Jacq---I know we've told you this but dang...your sewing was intense. Really your jackets are amazing...seriously amazing. I think I looked at your jacket for week one about 22 million times...It is so professional and so well done. It really is just amazing.

    We love you. We love your work. Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us.
    -liZ

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    1. wow- and seriously thank. you.
      still processing this whole thing but one thing i know- i loved the entire experience.

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  6. You have a real talent for outerwear!!! Your sewing technique, style sense, colour combinations and practicality make your pieces so versatile and fun! It was really an honour participating in this season with you!

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  7. I already told you that you were amazing, but I just want to say it again. You really rocked ;) Especially the rain jacket was incredible. I really feel like it was the most incredible thing sewn during all pr&p seasons that I followed...

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  8. This is a such a great post!! We love seeing how you stretched yourself through the competition.....because you had such an awesome skill-set coming into it!! We've enjoyed sewing alongside of you during season 8, and truly feel as if we gained a friend through this season of PR&P. Looking forward to seeing where this experience leads you .....

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    1. thanks you two.
      loved getting to know you...and definitely hoping for a baby boy over there in bam a!!

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  9. You are awesome. All your pieces was great. That week 1 jacket was my favorite. I just couldn't believe that was handmade.

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    1. thanks carin- definitely appreciate your weekly support.

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  10. You did a great job on all of your looks! I'm sure your sewing area looks like a bomb went off…mine gets to be like that, too, when I am sewing a ton LOL! As for women's patterns…it really depends on what you want to sew for yourself. I find I get a few patterns that I can tweak to fit and then just draft off of them. You can always look at www.patternreview.com if you are unsure about a particular pattern, as to how it fits, goes to together, etc.

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    1. will check out that site for reviews- I'm with you though, drafting off things is kind of how i roll.
      thanks for the tip.

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