100 Acts Of Sewing July 2020 - Week 1 sponsored by Sonya Philip

Well, here we are, all ready to go!  

I think we may have a lot of new people joining us for this one, so hello and welcome to 100 Acts of July 2020!

I can't wait to see what you make with your patterns!

WEEK 1  JULY 6 - 12 (all weeks run from Monday 9am GMT)

THEME IS 'FAVOURITES', sponsored by 100 Acts of Sewing

I'm delighted that Sonya Philip, the creator of 100 Acts of Sewing, will be offering a bundle of 3 patterns as a prize, plus you'll also get a little surprise goody bag from me with an exclusive wooden magnetic needle minder.

I had a little chat with Sonya during lockdown and caught up with plans for 2020

You've been working on your new book for a while now!  It's very exciting and we can't wait to see it next spring. How have you found the experience and was it what you expected?

Yes, this book really took over my life! I knew it would be a lot of work and this time last year, I had quite the writing regimen, complete with a target word count each week. Looking back, it seems like that was the easy part. Nothing prepared me for the marathon of editing, both for content and technical directions. I also drew all the diagrams, of which there were many and that added to the workload.

I'm sure it will be worth all the hard work!  You've had some more exciting news recently as you have taken on new premises for the business - can you tell us a bit more about it?

Yes! I now have a shop or studio, don't quite know what to call it yet. A lot of times it makes more sense to order materials and supplies in bulk but those boxes start to take up a lot of space and I was outgrowing having my business at home. It's a small space that used to be a laundromat and dry cleaner and it's walking distance from my house. My original idea was to have it double as a teaching space, but obviously that's on hold for the foreseeable future.

Yes this spring has given some of us a chance to reflect and review how we operate our businesses - a chance to consider the wider picture.  
I know that sustainability and inclusivity have always been part of what you do: have any other plans or new directions emerged that you hope to focus on in the future?

For me, I think it's trying to find out how can I do better, how can I do more. While at the same time, really examining the role I have selling a commodity. The satisfaction of making something for yourself, whether it's an item of clothing or a loaf of bread, that's the thing I want to foster. How I go about doing more of that still needs some thought.

A massive thank you Sonya for the prize and all your hard work - we cannot wait to see the book next year!

First of all you'll need at least one sewing pattern from the 100 Acts of Sewing collection.

Make a version of it that ties in with the weekly theme -  this week the theme is FAVOURITES!

Then take a photo of your garment (preferably of you wearing it!)

Post your finished 100 Acts of Sewing garment on Instagram FROM 6 -12 JULY  Use the hashtags

#100actsofsewingjuly20

#100actsofsewingjuly

plus the garment hashtag, e.g. #shirtno1

Follow me and our sponsors on Instagram

and tag Beyond Measure and 100 Acts of Sewing to be in with a chance of winning the prize! 

Pattern hacks and adaptations are welcome but your garment must have initially come from a 100 Acts of Sewing pattern and should link to the weekly theme. Please only post garments that haven't been entered in previous years, let's keep it fresh!  

One winner will be chosen at random each week from Instagram and they will get the sponsor’s prize.

Competition is open worldwide.

You can also win prizes in our private Facebook group - please answer the questions to gain membership and get sewing!

Grace x