After dipping my toe in the water to assess interest, I am happy to announce that I will once again be challenging all SG members to participate in the June Capsule Competition, which as its name implies, runs between the 1st and the 30th of June. Planning may be done beforehand, and muslins, but no actual cutting/marking/sewing of fabric before June 1.
As last year, the goal is to create during the month of June a co-ordinated set of 4 garments and 1 accessory, ideally but not necessarily for a purpose (e.g., "beach wear"; "evening", "summer office wear", "surf championships"). One of the garments must be a top (shirt, jacket, camisole, vest, ie something worn on your top half) and one must be a "bottom" (skirt, shorts, trousers, skort). All tops must co-ordinate with all bottoms and vice versa, and in general things that you could wear together should go together (ie if your entry is a jacket, two shirts, a skirt and a handbag, the jacket should go with the skirt and both the shirts, and you should be able to carry the handbag). You can of course have a dress, which fulfills the role of bottom and top, but if you do a dress, make sure you can wear it with something else in the capsule - a jacket or handbag or something -- otherwise what's the point? So if you do two dresses, they don't strictly have to go together (since you won't be wearing them together), but they should be tied into another item of the capsule -- much as if you had two shirts. Accessories include all kind of non-garment items that you might wear or carry ordinarily: jewellery, handbags, scarves, shoes (come on! you can do it!), hats, gloves, you know what I'm talking about.
This year's twist: ONE of your items must be something languishing in your wardrobe for lack of anything to wear it with. You bought a glen check pantsuit but the trousers wore out and you only have the jacket and nothing will go... An impulse buy of a spruce green wool purse (ahem) has never left the closet ... ah, those sequined shoes, sadly becalmed for lack of an opera coat and satin dress... When you declare your decision to enter, or at least before the 1st of June, you need to post a picture of said Widow or Orphan for the rest of us and explain its sad history.
ALSO, you may include (in addition to your Orphan or Widow) ONE item (garment or accessory) which you have purchased or previously made. This Bonus Item could be the same as your Orphan or Widow (meaning you would have to make 4 items in June) or it could be different (meaning you would only have to make 3 items).
I will be providing a prize to the winner of $50 US in PayPal or bank transfer (if you live in the UK) or gift certificate (if I can buy it from the UK). Anyone else who wishes to sweeten the pot for the other contestants may post to me and I will update the Honey Pot message; however it will be your responsibility to get the prize(s) to the winner(s). Should you be considering donating all your stash or (you wouldn't, would you?) your Widow or Orphan, bear in mind that the winner/winners have the power to refuse your generous offers :-)
Pictures in progress can be shared on the discussion thread. Final "entry" pictures and write up need to be posted to me at a later date, as will the rules for deciding winners. My decision on rules is final. Sponsors will not be able to vote, nor will you be able to vote for yourself this year.
Happy to clarify any other points that need it.
Happy sewing!
