The votes are in for the 2024 Upcycle Contest. Upcycle means to refashion, reconstruct, recycle or repurpose an original item or items and create a new and different garment. For this contest, our members were asked to take an item/s and create a new and different garment. Items could be anything, but they could only be turned into garments or wearable accessories to qualify as “new” items in this contest. The source item(s) must have had a previous “life” as a completed, existing item. UFOs (unfinished objects) and scraps do not qualify as completed items and cannot be used as the original item (fabric source). More than one source item can be used to create the final product. The “original/recycled” item or items must be changed substantially to create a new garment. The item can be of the same type (dress to dress) or something entirely different (tablecloth to dress). At least half (50%) of the new item must be made from recycled items (notions such as zippers or interfacing do not count in the total). See more detailed Contest Rules here.
40 members participated in this contest. All our members of PatternReview had the opportunity to vote to decide the winner of first and second place. And the winners are....
First Prize Winner: silverdell in her upcycled sweater!
silverdell upcycled two woollen turtlenecks, one woollen cardigan (rib knit)and remnants of cotton terry from another project, to create her amazing geometric colorblocked sweater. What did silverdell have to say about her winning entry? "This was a very interesting sewing project. It could easily end in the rubbish bin but I think I managed to turn the three items into a wearable sweater. Actually, I like it. It’s warm and I know I will wear it a lot this coming winter." Read her review here.
Second Prize Winner: solosmocker in her upcycled peasant blouse.
solosmocker upcycled a chiffon "cocktail" style dress and and pair of jeans and used a free pattern called the Imby Flowy Top. What did solosmocker have to say about upcycling? "It is always exciting to see one's ideas of refurbishing bring new life to a textile and it's so good to re-use a lonely garment. I really look forward to to wearing this a lot this summer." Read her review here.
Congratulations to all that entered the 2024 Upcycle Contest. Check out all our participants dresses in the Photo Gallery. If you would like to follow the participant chat on the message board, check it out here.
Special thanks to our Contest Manager, Raffey1 for managing this contest!
And a BIG "Thank You" to Nature's Fabrics for being our sponsor!
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