As I said in my sewing story, I came for the sewing but I stayed for the sewing challenges.

The first Instagram challenge I joined was #owop19 — One Week One Pattern 2019.  I kind of got the concept: Post pictures of one pattern, sewn or styled in different ways, everyday for a week.  Oh, and use the hashtag. Oh, and tag the sponsors. It was a really wonderful experience. I (virtually) met so many people and learned about so many popular patterns. It was lucky I had made six versions of the Cielo top for my Closet Case Learn to Sew class.

#owop19

Since then, I’ve kept my ear to the ground about new Instagram challenges. Whitney, who runs one of my favorite YouTube channels, TomKat Stitchery, announced a new challenge in January called The Great Module Sewalong #thegreatmodulesewalong. It runs until March 24. Carla from Stay Stitching is also an organizer.

The sewalong challenges participants to create a module (a smaller version of a “capsule”) that contains 3 tops, 2 bottoms and 1 topper (a layering piece).  The bottoms go with all the tops and the topper and vice-versa.

Thankfully, it’s not a requirement to sew all six garments. Whitney and Carla said it was perfectly OK to slip in something you didn’t make or a refashion. The idea is you’re flexing your module muscles.

I found picking coordinating fabrics and pieces is a lot harder than it sounds! My first focal piece was my knit Aurora top.  I also wanted to include the Winslow culottes I had just finished.

Are you seeing what I’m seeing? I do have a bold streak, but even I just can’t justify putting these two together.

I was definitely going to use some army green cotton slub I bought in Seattle last year at Dry Goods Design as a Sabalito Top from Itch To Stitch. (Read about my Sabalito top here.) But this also would not work with the yellow top. So I pulled out the yellow and subbed in dusty rose.

The black denim I’m planning to make into an Itch To Stitch Danube Skirt. That will surely go with everything. I pulled out one of my Cielo tops. Now I just needed two more tops. Time to wander around Joann?

With a swatch of my green slub in-hand, I slid it across every bolt of garment fabric (and some quilting fabrics). My swatch stopped on its own in front of a rose-colored velvet. I exclaimed, “Are you kidding me? Why does this look so good? I can’t sew velvet!!” The velvet came home with me anyway.  At minimum, I can struggle through a simple t-shirt pattern with it.

A few days later, I looked at this grouping again and didn’t like the culottes with the green slub. Culottes are out. And I added some new fabrics I got in the mail from Califabrics: a rayon stretch tie-dye and some stretch denim.

Now I’m really spoiled for choice!  I guess the truth is: This module will not be done until it’s done.  I’m just going to start with tops and work my way through to pants. I know it’s not true for everyone, but a deadline really motivates me. Let’s hope March 24 doesn’t sneak up on me.   -rp