Birdsong Bows: July 2012

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Challenge 10 Judge: Cecilia Jorcin of Lily Bird Studio


Welcome to Cecilia Jorcin, owner/designer of Lily Bird Studio!. Cecilia will be our judge for the Birdsong Accessories Challenge #10, "Let's Hit the Books!" Cecilia started her PDF children's pattern design business in 2010 as a part-time venture. In 2011 she left her full-time job to focus on the pattern business and to take care of her little girl.
From Uruguay and a native Spanish speaker, Cecilia has lived in different parts of the world and enjoys practicing her (now excellent!) English skills. Her mother used to sew clothes for her, but aside from designing some party dresses for her mom to sew during her teen years, Cecilia didn't re-discover sewing until her daughter, Sophia, was born while she and her husband lived in Malaysia.
"Since the day I got my first sewing machine, sewing...became a passion, a therapy and an obsession," she says. "I need to sew something everyday or my day won't be complete."
Cecilia said she's a perfectionist and tries again and again until she gets her projects just right! She's looking forward to judging the entries for the latest accessories challenge.
Please visit her shop, Lily Bird Studio" on Etsy, and stop by her Facebook page as well. She also writes a blog, So Tei Tei, with tutorials, giveaways, and sneak peeks of her latest patterns!

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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Accessories Challenge: Let's hit the books!



Photo from ModGenesDesigns on Etsy

The theme for our 10th challenge is, "Let's Hit the Books!" Yes, (sadly) it's time to start thinking about back-to-school time again. You may make a boutique bow or bow set, a headband, a bowband, a funky loopy bow, a fascinator, a hair flower, or basket/tote-- basically, anything you've fashioned using a Birdsong pattern or tutorial -- following the theme of "back to school." The design must be made from a Birdsong tutorial or pattern. You can focus on making your accessory to match an apple theme, ABCs, numbers, rulers, school colors, crayons, books...anything that reminds you that it's time to hit the books!

There will be two prizes again. The first will be chosen by a judge to be revealed soon (not me)! The winner of this award will receive a $15 gift certificate generously donated by The Ribbon Retreat!
The second way to win a prize is through "Voter's Choice." I'll put all the submissions on the blog and will host a poll in the sidebar. Invite your friends and relatives to vote for your photo! The winner of the Voter's Choice Award will receive a FREE e-book from Birdsong Bows and Patterns.

To enter, E-mail your best photograph of your finished product (either on a model or not) to me at deanna [at] birdsongbows.com by 2:59 a.m Pacific time (11:59 p.m.  Eastern) on Monday, Aug. 6 (so, basically before you go to bed Tuesday night). Please keep your photos around 600 pixels wide, so that they're neither too big nor too small. And remember: They must be recognizably made using at least one Birdsong tutorial or pattern. No more than one entry/photo per contestant, please. If you're on Flickr, feel free to post a photo to the Birdsong Flickr Photo Group as well, for all to see!
Good luck! I can't wait to see your entries! All entries will be posted on the blog by Wednesday, August 8 for voting.:)

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Monday, July 2, 2012

4-H Sewing: Competition, and success!

After nearly three months - and a "push" before we took a family vacation to Disney - Anna finished her structured blouse! She loved sewing the buttonholes and adding the buttons, and was very proud of her finished product. But the test of her sewing would be the two competitions just days after we returned from vacation - the 4-H Fashion Revue, and the garment construction/sewing judging.

To our amazement, Anna won the Fashion Revue in her division. She was so excited. The original judging was held on a Monday before the fair started, and on Friday evening the sewists had their public show at the fairgrounds grandstand.


The day after the fashion revue judging, the sewists were judged on their construction techniques in an open judging, where they were told what they did well and what they could improve upon. The judge said Anna did an excellent job, but suggested she sew the buttons on differently by creating a thread shank. To create a thread shank, Anna will need to place a toothpick under the button to give space, sew the button several times, then remove the toothpick and wrap the thread around the thread under the button. The judge said this would make the buttons easier to use, and they wouldn't come off as easily.

But in the end, Anna won the garment construction portion of the contest as well, receiving a champion ribbon AND a state fair entry! "I'm glad I worked hard," she said, and is looking forward to seeing her blouse displayed at the Indiana State Fair in August!

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