#SewingDares – It’s back!

Posted on by gilliancrafts

#SewingDares

**Sewing Dares are now closed.**

Are you ready for #sewingdares? It’s easy and anyone can join in!

Here’s how it works: 

  • Ask for a dare in the comments or on Instagram (I’m @gilliancrafts)
  • Include a link to your blog or sewing-related social media
  • You can give some parameters or leave it wide open
  • I, or someone else, will dig through your blog/social media to get to know you and your sewing style, and think up a sewing dare tailored just for you! Something to take you slightly out of your comfort zone or to help build your wardrobe, but nothing way out in left field.
  • You decide if you want to take on the dare! Blog it or post it, and come back and leave me a link to the finished project so I can include it in a #sewingdares wrap-up post!

And here are the rules: 

  1. Have fun. Stop if it is not fun.
  2. There is no rush – Do your dare whenever you want!
  3. Did I mention to have fun?

I’ve run this #sewingdares challenge a few times in the past, starting waaaaay back in 2013! It’s lots of fun, you just might fall in love with a new kind of project – like Kristin, my very first sewing dare, who I dared to try knitting socks, and is still knitting them 3 years later! That said, I’d never want a sewing dare to hang over your head and feel oppressive, so if you accept a dare but then don’t get around to it, don’t worry! We won’t hold you to it. (Unless you tell us too!)

So, do you dare to dare? Leave a comment below with your blog/social media link asking for a dare, and let the games begin! Dare yourself, dare me, dare each other!

235 thoughts on “#SewingDares – It’s back!”

      2. I didn’t even release that I completed this dare this summer! Hahhaa. A year after the fact. When you mentioned the love to sew podcast dare, I suddenly remembered this. Well, I’m glad I completed it, though!

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    1. Ok, something simple to start you off! (Although you are totally prolific and could surely handle and dare!) I dare you to rework something about an older make that isn’t quite right. Fix some trim, adjust the size, move around buttons… make something old even better!

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    1. Looking through your IG, you’ve got a wardrobe full of beautiful classic dresses… so I’m going to dare you to sew a dress that is either shorter or longer then your normal knee-length!

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    1. Excellent! I’m following your blog now – I’m so impressed by people like you who figure out their passion for sewing early! I spent my entire 20’s just sewing terrible pj pants without using a pattern. (Spoiler: the same front and back crotch curve DOES NOT FIT MY BODY!)
      In honour of your MMM reflections, I dare you to: refashion/dye/distress/embellish a no-longer worn me-made or thrifted item. Like, dye some of your bonkers bright summer clothes to a darker neutral, update something dated, or make a hand-me-down fit better! Sound good?

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    1. Helen, lovely Helen, the only person who has ever made me even remotely interested in sewing massively wide legged pants… you just make your pattern looks so good! If you haven’t already, I dare you to make a Closet Case Files bodysuit! Perfect with culottes, and you’ve made pretty much every other CCF pattern… Do it!!!

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      1. Hahaha, I’m just spreading the good word of the culottes, bringing people into the light! That is an excellent dare, I have been eyeing that pattern for a while and I am a little scared to make such a skin tight knit garment. Now that I have a serger I can totally do it though, challenge accepted! Thank you ❤

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    1. Can I dare you to send me some of your delicious-looking baked goods? Yummmmm. I wish I liked baking!
      In honour of that, I dare you to sew something useful in the kitchen! Oven gloves, place mats, napkins, an apron, a casserole-carrier… something pretty AND useful!

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    1. Hmmm… well, looking through your IG, you look smashing in your Nettie dresses… so (assuming you live n a place that is heading into summer!) I dare you to make some kind of body-con sundress! A sleeveless Nettie, a Maria Denmark Signe, something sassy!

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    2. Ohhhh *rubs hands together in glee* what shall I make you make? I think… a jumpsuit! Or playsuit, or overalls.. some kind of pants+top in one!

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    1. Oh my gosh, your wardrobe is SO ADORABLE! I want it all. So I’m going to dare you to do more of the same – Dig in your stash for a piece of fabric you were so excited about when you bought it, that has languished too long in the stash, and sew it up!!

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    1. Easy – I dare you to make something to wear with your new underbust corset you are making in the sewalong! Inner wear, outerwear, kimono robe, whatever!

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    1. OK, something easy! Since you are moving, how about a blogging challenge? Like, blog once a week for a month? (Doesn’t have to be all finished objects, either – could be a look inside your stash, how some old favourites have lasted, etc) Or, if you want a sewing challenge… I see you’ve got lots of Maria Denmark’s wrap dresses… I dare you to sew her newer dress pattern with the gathering at one side, because I think it would look FAB on you!

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    1. Hmmm… there aren’t many trends or projects you haven’t tried… but what about sewing a maxi dress? I can picture you in that Named jersey maxi with the double layer at the top, or an Anna maxi, perhaps… something fabulous for summer drinks in the evening!

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    1. DO A TUTORIAL FOR YOUR AWESOME EMBROIDED LADY! Um, I mean, I’m not yelling in excitement, no, not me! 😉 I love your embroidered sweatshirt, and I’d love to see a tutorial!

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    1. Your dare is definitely to sew leggings and a cardi to go with your cute knit dresses! Or two pairs of leggings, or two cardigans… 😉 Muse has some good cardi options, and I love the Cake Espresso leggings… lots of other good leggings choices out there now too though!

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    1. My lady of dresses, it is time for… PANTS! But any kind of pants counts – pyjamas, something casual like Hudson joggers, culottes, pull-on loose or fitted trousers… make it as hard or easy as you choose?!

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    1. One of two choices come to mind: Sew some lingerie (knickers, cami, bra, whatever) OR film a video! A quick little tour of your sewing space, perhaps? Or showing some patterns and fabric for upcoming projects?

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      1. Well, well, well. Verrrry interesting. Okay…I’ve actually just started sewing bras. And…you’ve never seen them on the blog because I haven’t had the courage to blog about them.

        BUT, if you’re daring me to do it………well {big cheesy grin} then that shall be done. Plus…I’ve been thinking about underwear too, so let’s through that in.

        Thanks Gillian!

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    1. Alright girl, your last posted asked for it: I dare you to sew a bra! Something soft like the Watson or Jalie bra totally counts… but if you are interested in doing a whole me-made outfit next year, might as well get your undergarments sorted now! What do you say?

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    1. Do you do any clubs/sports in college ? If so I dare you to make specialty clothing for it. If not, I dare you to make something inspired by an artist!! Frida Kahlo comes to mind, or Picasso could be interesting.

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    1. I love your knitting! SO I’ll give you a challenge my (knitter) sister once gave me: Sew something to wear with a favourite knitted item!

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    1. Well, as I read your post from May 24th talking about your list of projects to make, I was nodding my head thinking, “yeah, sew that! Oooh, yeah, that too!” So I dare you to make something off your own list – and bonus points if you use the Liberty or Cone Mills that you’ve been hoarding! (FYI, I’ve made 1 pair of Cone Mills jeans, and OMG, that are amazing. The hype is actually true.)

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      1. Thanks Gillian! It will have to be the liberty as the Cone Mill jeans are on my but as I type – just haven’t got around to blogging them yet. Dare accepted. And I completely agree about the denim, it has some sort of magic woven into it!

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    1. Your jacket last time was so good! I was totally impressed with you for taking that on. This time, a challenge for you that is completely opposite! I think you and I are really similar in that we both sew cute, causal everyday clothes. BUT! I dare you to sew something a bit sexy! Anything from a date night dress to an off-the-shoulder top to a maxi with a big ol slit! (And yes, this is a dare for myself as well!) You in?

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      1. Sounds good to me – but I will admit this is a tough one for me. I’m open to pattern suggestions if you have any – and/or hearing what you’re thinking about making. Thanks Gillian – I imagine coming up with all these dares is a ton of work!

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        1. I’m starting slow… I enjoy wearing my maxi with a high slot that I made for oonapalooza last year… So for my birthday this weekend, I made a maxi wrap dress (aka some leg action plus some cleavage). Next I’m picturing a Santa Fe tank in black with the cut-away shoulders… Something to wear with jeans and shiny necklace for drinks? Baby steps to a sexier wardrobe! 😉 Maybe go for shoulders or cleavage or leg, one at a time – or hell, crop top and high waisted maxi?

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    1. You, too shy? I find that hard to believe!
      Now what on earth have you not sewn? Um… I”m really tempted to tell you to sew a bikini. Have you? Would you?
      (Back up plan: Make some sort of really f*cking awesome apron to wear when you are cooking! <- inspired by your cooking IG account!)

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      1. Incredibly shy! In very weird and specific ways. 😛 I haven’t made a bikini although I do have all the materials somewhere in deep stash… The main reason I haven’t is because I almost never go swimming, so the same swimsuits I’ve had since I was 25 are still pretty much mint condition. But I would definitely sew one for a dare. I might get more use out of an apron, though… I’ve kinda wanted one ever since I started wearing ridiculous dresses on a daily basis… 😂

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        1. I”m the same with swimsuits! Don’t wear them, so they never wear out! Make a fabulous apron then, and bonus points is you sew a swim suit for someone in the family this summer!

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          1. This must be a Canadian girl thing! I’ve got 4 bathing suits in mint condition (if sort of dated and perhaps, ill-fitting) and they’re the only ones I’ve owned in my adult life!

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    1. This is like watching Santa handing out gifts! Except the giftees are all nervous about what they’ll get. What a great idea, Gillian. Such fun. 🙂

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  25. Taking one if your dares was the best sewing thing I’ve done. I frankenpatterned a dress which I’ve made six times since. It’s in a folder at home titled: My Favourite Dress.
    I’m not sure what’s left for me to sew!

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    1. When was the last time you actually sewed something from a Japanese pattern book? I know you’ve reviewed a few lately, but I don’t see any projects for a while… so my dare is to look through some books and get inspired! Bonus points if you choose something slightly crazy and off-the-wall, because I feel like that’s what Japanese patterns do the best!

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      1. I’m actually just finishing a hooded coat to wear to hockey on Saturday mornings. It’s nothing startling. HOWEVER I did buy the latest Drape Drape book… and I may have traced a few patterns…

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    1. You mentioned needing more Gingers, Hudsons and Netties after MMM… so I’m going to dare you to sew a head-to-toe Closet Case Files outfit!

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    1. HI! Ok, it’s a long walk to why I’ve chosen this dare for you, so stick with me…
      1. Your blog tells me you live in Kingston.
      2. I went to teacher’s college there.
      3. My favourite memories of the city are being by the water, therefore…
      I dare you to dig deep in your stash and make something somehow nautical inspired, and take some photos by the waterfront!

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      1. Ooh, good dare! Becky, if you are on a tight budget that doesn’t extend to a new pattern, I dare you to (and watch out this is nerdy!) make/gather assemble an everyday outfit that is somehow secret coplay for a LOTR character! Like, a dress that is secretly elf-inspired, or pants and a shirt in the colours of Frodo’s outfit… and this outfit can be either for yourself or the Hobbit!

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        1. Ooh, I love secret costumes!! I have a stashed piece of fabric that just might fit this perfectly. Though I strongly suspect that the hardest part might be narrowing it down…

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    1. Hi! Have you graduated now CONGRATULATIONS! If you haven’t sewn up the Colette Crepe yet, then I dare you to make a version! If buying all that yardage (it is a pig) is tough right now, a second hand bedsheet might see you through!

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      1. Thanks! I accept the dare 🙂 I actually have some charcoal charmeuse and lining that I found about six months ago and have been waiting to use them, so no purchase necessary. Can’t wait to start.

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  32. I’d love a dare! What a great way to change the channel. I haven’t posted many makes lately but when I do they’re on IG @pickle_corner

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    1. Hi Gillian, you’re being so generous with your time and ideas, and my IG feed is full of many things besides sewing – I thought to provide Cliff Notes. I’ve been sewing almost 2 years and seem to concentrate mostly on knits. I’ve got half a dozen Cocos now, a couple of skirts and a couple of dresses. I’ve made a silk voile Salme top, a Laurel top and a vintage vogue gypsy top out of baseball themed silk chiffon. That last is my triumph. 😊

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    2. Awww, what cute kids you have! I love the orange and white (orange and blue) Moneta you made – did you ever go back and make more? If not, i dare you to sew another Moneta, or somehow hack the pattern to make something new!

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      1. Thank you! I haven’t gone back to make more but I’ve been thinking about it – this will get me going. And I’m going to try to take more pictures of the things I’ve been making (a sort of self dare).

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  33. G – this is SO fun! I love your dares and everyone’s adventuresomeness! I wish I had more energy and I was feeling feisty enough to take the plunge. Next time I’m all over this! PS to anyone on the fence: Gillian-dares are seriously fun.

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      1. You know I am incapable of turning down a dare. I think it is highly likely this is feasible. But check out my Concord experience. I’m hoping that figuring out how Jenny designs for torsos will assist me in making a version of that wrap that will work for me. I really do love it.

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  34. I’ll try this. I’m still figuring out sewing so I don’t have a blog but I could add you to my Facebook and you could see my sewing album.

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    1. What have you been sewing so far? I dare you to either make a repeat of a pattern your’ve tried already, but make at least one adjustment to make it fit even better… or, try a new technique like piping or zipper or whatever!

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      1. I’ve only sewn clothes for my 18 month old son. I’ve been thinking about trying a bag and new techniques but it’s intimidating. I’ve also thought about trying to mash patterns as I’ve never tried that before.

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    1. Oooh, the power! What shall I dare you to do?
      I feel like this year there is a wider variety of trouser styles in fashion, and I loved your overalls… so I”m going to dare you to sew up a trouser style that is a little new and different! Maybe culottes, maybe fashion jogging pants, maybe flares, loose rayon trousers?

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    1. PANTS!
      (No, don’t worry, I’m not that mean… though I highly suggest a simple pull-on stretch pant like the Style Arc Elle’s as the gateway drug to pantmaking. So simple to sew!)
      You mentioned in a post sometimes getting stressed out by deadlines, so make sure you take you time on this! I love your mustard skirt, and how it stands out against the neutrals in your wardrobe… so I dare you to make something else bright that can mix and match into your wardrobe!

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    1. K, this is based on that pretty dress you recreated from an old fave for a client – recreate something from your wardrobe past/present that you loved wearing!

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      1. Challenge accepted! My favourite dress from years ago is in the back of my cupboard and will never, ever fit me again in a million years. A shirt dress with cut on sleeves, a midriff banding and pencil skirt.

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    1. No deadline! I love your style, and I feel like either a biker jacket or Chanel-style jacket would fit in perfectly. I dare you to make some kind of jacket!

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    1. Remember you said on IG you couldn’t comment? I see a few tries from you in my wordpress admin page… I have it set so I have to approve people the first time they comment. Any chance you were logged in with a different email or something? So odd…

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    2. Can I dare you to come to Ontario to hang out???
      For realz, I just dug through your posts to see if you’ve ever sewn with silk… and I see some silk shantung, and silk cotton… but girl, I dare you to sew a silk dress! You make such beautiful, elegant dresses, and I feel like silk will suit you to a t.

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    1. This dare come straight out of your MMM reflection post – some some fun, interesting and comfortable at-home clothes! A complete outfit, I think!

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    1. Ooh, I do love a good knit top… but time to shake things up! It’s winter for you right now, I think? So I dare you to make a snuggly long cardigan/jacket/cosy layering item!

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    2. Seems like fit-and-flare dresses are your favourites… so I dare you to make a comfy knit version for summer! Maybe using that Jalie bodice you made a tank out of in Art Gallery knit recently, but with a half-circle skirt added on?

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    1. Ooh, can I dare you to participate in the outfit along ? It’s being hosted on lladybird’s website and they’re sewing the sewaholic Holly burn skirt and knitting a top to go with it. The skirt is easy, and I’m sure the top won’t be a problem for you !!

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    2. I dare you to sew up at least one of the fabrics you bought on your trip to Oregon! (As a self-confessed cat-lady, I’m really hoping you make the cat robe! 😉

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      1. That’s a great idea too. I started laying out the pieces, and I may need to supplement the cat fabric with something else to get all the cats going the right direction. Since it’s a dare, looks like I need to get on it. 😁

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    1. I’m going to give you two choices of dares:
      1. Dust off the blog for a post a month this summer, or
      2. Pull 3 fabrics from your stash, and have your husband/cat choose which one you sew up!

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      1. Okay, I’m accepting both dares! I may even up the blogging dare to once a week. Thanks Gillian–I needed a bit of a push to get back to blogging and I’m excited to see what my cat chooses for me to sew up!

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    1. Hello!! I dare you to get inspired by a RTW dress or top and make your own interpretation! Time t make something pretty to wear over all those pretty bras!

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    1. Something quick then – I dare you to make a sleeveless top to layer with all your lovely knitted items!

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  49. I think I need to jump in on this as well. I haven’t been sewing as much of late (as you can probably tell from my blog) and I need a push. This sounds like the perfect opportunity.

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    1. From one geek to another, I dare you to try doing screenprinting/computer iron-on printing/freezer paper/something to make geek t-shirts. Logos, quotes, whatever… something that is such a deep cut you couldn’t but it in stores!

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    1. Ooh, a fellow bra maker! It’s been months since I made one, so i enjoyed looking at all the pretty things you’ve made lately. So, I dare you to make a new-to-you kind of lingerie – a slip, garter belt, corset, body suit, whatever you choose!

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