Updated December 20, 2020.
Hello and welcome to Sew My Style 2020!
What is Sew My Style?
Sew My Style is an online sewing challenge. Each month we all sew up one of two patterns and then show off our garments together on the last day, as one community.
It’s also one of the longest-running sewing challenges, having started in 2017 and run continuously since then thanks to a number of volunteer vloggers and bloggers.
Originally it was called Project Sew My Style and started by Alex Bartholomew to raise awareness about the slow fashion industry movement and encourage young women to take up sewing.
Since then, the online sewing community has grown tremendously and standards of inclusivity and diversity have evolved.
The challenge is no longer focused on a small segment of the sewing population. Instead, we actively encourage participation from all shapes, sizes, ages, ethnicities, and genders. The make-up of the 2020 leadership team of sewing bloggers and vloggers reflects this evolution.
How does Sew My Style 2020 work?
Participating in Sew My Style is really easy! All you have to do is sign up for the newsletter! Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the sign-up form. (If you’re already subscribed from the 2019 challenge, there’s no need to resubscribe.)
Every month there are two patterns to choose from, each at a small discount (sent in the newsletter). You can sew up one or both, then reveal your finished garment(s) either on Instagram (using the hashtag #sms20) or in our Facebook group.
The LAST DAY of the month is the big reveal day. All posts made before 23:59 in your local time are eligible for that month’s prize. Prize winners are randomly selected from the combined Instagram and Facebook pool of posts. There is one entry per garment (no matter where it’s posted).
Each month one of our leaders will sew up one of the patterns and post blogs to inspire you with styling options, pattern hacks, where to source fabric, or create sew alongs, and much more! We’ll also have guest bloggers who will spark more inspiration.
Don’t want to sew up those patterns that month? That’s okay! You’re free to opt-out for a month or more.
What are the patterns? And what are the prizes?
See the Patterns & Sponsors tab!
What’s new in 2020?
We have a new hashtag! Use #sms20 on Instagram so we can more easily find your posts this year. You can still use #sewmystyle but too many people who don’t actually participate in the challenge use it too. This way, we can find you!
This year we also really focused on pattern companies that have inclusive size ranges. To be featured in SMS20, pattern designers had to offer patterns above size US 22. We’re excited to bring designers on board who were expanding their size ranges for the first time!
We are also offering more men’s and unisex patterns this year. We want to encourage all genders to participate in SMS20. All bodies are beautiful and this challenge is about celebrating that!
Based on feedback from our participants, we also asked that designers and sponsors be more involved in the challenge. Watch out for some interviews with designers, Instagram takeovers, and Facebook Live streams over the next year.
The one BIG change for you is that now reveal day will be the LAST DAY of the month! We heard lots of feedback that doing it on the last Sunday was too confusing. Lots of people preferred the last day of the month, so now that’s the new reveal day. Mark your calendars!
Won’t you join us?
What’s still the same?
If you’ve been following Sew My Style for a while, don’t worry. We’re still the same fun challenge! There are still 2 patterns to choose from every month. You’ll still receive 2 email newsletters each month. They’ll come out on the 1st and 15th with the discount codes for each pattern, plus other fun goodies. And the sewing community that this challenge grew up in will still continue to be as awesome as it has been!
Still have questions? Here are some FAQs.
In the meantime, sign up using the form below! (If you’re already subscribed from the 2019 challenge, there’s no need to resubscribe.)
Want to show your participation? Use this I’m In! image on your blog. Need one for Instagram too? Click here to download it.
Subscribe to Sew My Style 2020
Sew My Style 2020 is no longer accepting subscribers. Thank you to all our participants this year and in past years.
Legal Disclaimer
Photos tagged with #sms20 on Instagram and posted in the appropriate Facebook group album before 23:59 in the location of posting are eligible for entry. Posting with that hashtag confirms you are of legal age to participate in your location. Neither Instagram nor Facebook is affiliated with Sew My Style 2020 in any capacity, and participants release both companies of any responsibility. There are no cash alternatives to these prizes, nor substitutions. Monthly winners are randomly chosen and will be notified via the platform that they used to enter as well as have their winning garment reposted on Instagram, then have 7 days to claim their prize. Winners and are responsible for customs and shipping fees. Private Instagram accounts and accounts used solely for giveaways are ineligible for these prizes. The hosts and sponsors reserve the right to alter prizes, timelines, or other elements of the event at their discretion. Void where prohibited.
