The Great Gatsby Sewing Challenge

76 comments

A week or so ago I asked if there was an interest in a 1920s sewing challenge. The response was amazing and today I am so happy to officially announce The Great Gatsby Sewing Challenge!

WHO
Anyone that sews or crafts is welcome to join. Whether you are an expert or just an admirer when it comes to the time period, everyone is invited to participate. It's not necessarily important to make perfect historically accurate clothing (although you certainly can), the point is to have fun!

WHAT
If you're as excited about the movie release of The Great Gatsby as I am, then join the challenge. The goal is to make an item, or items, inspired by the era. Haven't read the book or maybe Gatsby's not your thing? What about making an outfit like one of the ladies on Downton Abbey or Boardwalk Empire? Or maybe try to incorporate beading or another new technique into your make. Make a dress, a blouse, a headband, a hat, anything with a 1920s feel.

WHERE
Bloggers and people without blogs are encouraged to join and add photos to the Flickr group. Post your progress, ask for fitting help, get opinions, and meet new people. At the end of the sew along I will do a round up of projects from the Flickr group. Weekly I will share some inspiration posts, here, on my blog.

WHEN
The movie is being released on May 10th, but the deadline for us will be at the end of May. That way you will have time to make an outfit and wear it to the movies if you'd like :)

WHY
Sewing challenges are a great way to get inspired and more importantly, meet new people. Some of my favorite blogging buddies were made when I joined Sew Colette. And if you've been waiting for the excuse to whip up a 1920s dress then here it is.

If you'd like to add a button to your blog to show your participation, please do so. And if you're on Instagram then hash tag your progress with #thegreatgatsbysewingchallenge so we can all take a peek.





Who's in? 

76 comments :

  1. I will be excitedly watching from the sidelines, cheering you guys on! :D

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  2. How fun! Gonna try my hardest to make this happen!

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  3. Yay! I got fabric on Saturday and ideas in my head. I'm hoping to manipulate the Laurel pattern. Did you get back to your muslin yet?

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  4. I wish! Alas, I have a quilt to finish. Maybe next time :)

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  5. Disappointed not to be able to take part but I'll be watching with interest.

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  6. Yay! I've been waiting for this post :) I'm in! Can't wait for this movie

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  7. This will definitely push me outside my comfort zone. I'm in. I'm not sure what the heck I'll make, but I'm in.

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  8. Hmm... Possibly. While I'm not majorly into the 1920s, I love art deco and if the right pattern comes along... Well, we'll see...

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  9. Oh! I love it... I am not so sure I will join but for sure I will watching....I will try to many something from 20's - I love this era...- anyway.

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  10. This is my kind of thing. I need to make sure I can do it but it's so exciting!

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  11. Count me in! Though 20s styles don't suit my figure type, I can't turn down a sewing challenge.

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  12. I'm in! Never had the time to join a sewing challenge before, I'm very excited. Plus my partner starts nights that month so ill have a lot of free time on my hands. No idea what I would sew though... like alot of people the 1920s doesn't necessarily suit my body type. But I'm convinced I'll find something.

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  13. Wow!! I just finished the second series of Boardwalk and was totally drooling over the wardrobe. I'm in, but I have no idea what I will make. Let the research begin!! Thanks for organising.

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  14. I'm so totally pumped for this movie release! Love how your badge totally fits the aesthetic :) Sadly I won't be able to join in - although I'd love too! Traveling for work kinda blows :(

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  15. Oh this sounds like fun! I think I may give it a go. Probably something 1920s inspired... I want to actually be able to wear it in real life!

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  16. Me! I blogged about it here: http://missalliemass.blogspot.com/2013/04/great-gastby-challenge.html. So excited!

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  17. am in! those dresses in Boardwalk empire were so divine, would love to make my own version! another excuse to look at vintage patterns too yeeeaaah.

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  18. I'll be in the States when it's released! YAY!

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  19. Yes, I'm so excited! And... I have no clue what I want to make. Clearly I need to start researching!

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  20. I'm in! New blogger and new sewist, so this should be interesting. Already have an inspiration post up here: http://tosewortonosew.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-great-gatsby-sewing-challenge.html

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  21. We should all have a virtual speakeasy party at the end to celebrate in our new duds!!

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  22. Me, me, me!! I'm in! I'm in!! Whoo hoo! I have been on pins and needles waiting for your 'official' announcement for the sew-along! Woot! I'm looking to The Cat's Meow and Boardwalk Empire for inspiration. Cannot wait for Gatsby to come out!

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  23. Although I'm not participating in this challenge, I just want to say that I am SO excited for this movie!

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  24. I think this is the most excited I have ever been for a movie!

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  25. I love The Cat's Meow!!

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  26. I agree!!!

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  27. Awesome, Amber! I love the dress options in your post!

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  28. I'm in the same boat. Since I've never made anything 20s, there are SO many options!

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  29. Can't wait to see you! xo

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  30. PS: http://www.cypress-inn.com/

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  31. I love Boardwalk too!!!

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  32. Thanks, Alexandra!

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  33. I might go 20s inspired too (as opposed to authentic).

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  34. Thank you! Can you bring your sewing machine with you? ahaha :)

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  35. I love that show! Total eye candy with the costumes and my husband loves it too!

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  36. Yay, I'm glad you are joining! I love sewing at night when my husband is out and about. I feel like I get a lot accomplished haha

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  37. I'm so honored that you are joining in! I love everything you make! xo

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  38. You can totally do it! ;)

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  39. Yay! Thanks for joining!

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  40. It's such a fun era and because I have never made anything 20s, this is the perfect excuse.

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  41. Well, I hope you join in! :)

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  42. haahha I'm in the same boat!

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  43. I'm glad you are joining! The more I research the 20s the more I want to see the movie already!

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  44. Aww, well I'm glad you'll be following along!

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  45. I totally understand, quilts can take so long!

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  46. Thanks, friend xo

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  47. I haven't worked on it lately :( I'm finishing up the Elisalex dress this weekend, so hopefully I will be going back to Laurel next week.

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  48. I hope you join! xo

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  49. Thanks, Tasha! xo

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  50. Hi there! I think I am so going to participate in this. I have been excited to see a revival of 20's esque clothing. I have grown a bit tired of the '50's type dressing, although do love it on other people. It does not look good on my figure type. I will grab your "button" for my blog now! Pleased to meet you, by the way, I'm also excited to start following your blog. :)

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  51. Button Placement Success!!! That doesn't always happen.

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  52. This is a great idea! i'm definitely going to participate as I've been excited about this film for far too long! I think i'll go for quite a small project though, been commiting myself to far too many brilliant sew-a-longs and challenges recently!

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  53. Lorie ~ Ferndale LaneApril 18, 2013 at 9:57 AM

    I am excited for this movie to come out and have even convinced my husband to go along! I also LOVE Downton Abbey! I think I might participate in this challenge..... I'm on the fence.... I'm a bit nervous as I've never attempted anything from this era. I guess it's time to start stalking 1920's dress patterns! I'm so glad I found your blog!

    http://ferndalelane.blogspot.com/

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  54. I,d like to have a go, i have,nt done a sew along yet ;)
    Nikie

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  55. I'm so in! I tried one before, but it had some issues and I'd love to get this right. I dance charleston occasionally, so I need a dress :) I just need to find something a bit fitted for the bodice, since the basic flapper dress doesn't flatter me at all...

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  56. I want to do this one!! I have ideas in my mind.... can't wait to see the movie :)

    Btw, I nominated you for The Liebster Award on my blog :) Hopefully you haven't already got it, but if you have then yay :) http://www.thatssewamy.com/general/i-won-an-award/

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  57. I didn't realize this existed! I'm definitely entering.

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  58. Oh! I think I will join in ;) I need to make time to make something for myself!

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  59. I started a Pinterest board for this of course! http://pinterest.com/tiffanyvictoria/1920s-fashion-great-gatsby-sewing-challenge/
    If anyone else has one I would love to have a link!

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  60. Fantastic! I'm in, and have tickets to the local opening, so I have somewhere to wear ... something!!!

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  61. Yay! I'm so happy to hear about this! Now I can finally use some of my 20s patterns! Thank you!!!!!

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  62. Yvonne Boots-FaubertApril 25, 2013 at 11:00 AM

    Yes, yes! a thousand times yes! My son's favorite book, and I am absolutely enthralled with Margaret's wardrobe on boardwalk empire. Thank you!

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  63. Me too please! I love this style and even though I typically don't wear it because I am a very curvy pear shape, I can't wait to create something wonderful for this challenge.

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  64. This is such a cool idea! I would love to join in too, if I may :)

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  65. Of course! Please join!

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  66. Awesome, Tess!

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  67. Sounds fun, I'd love to join! I hope I can get something done by the deadline!

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  68. I hope it's not too late to join! I can't believe I missed this when you first posted!

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  69. This is purrfect! A group of my friends and I are throwing a Gatsby Lawn Party! And I need a dress!

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  70. Just found out about this but I know I won't be able to do May. Sounds like fun though. I'll look out for the next one.

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  71. I think I need to join in on this one! Actually, I just posted some inspiration pics on my blog of an exhibit of flapper dresses at an art museum: http://sewwrong.blogspot.com/2013/05/inspirationflappers.html

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  72. I just love the costumes, so classic, very vintage.

    Read this article:

    7
    Important Tips when Shopping Online for Fabulous Vintage Clothing

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  73. When is our virtual speakeasy?! I now have the dress ;) http://dreamingdashie.blogspot.com.au

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