We are always talking about connecting with sewing friends and trusted teachers whether in person or online. This week we want to encourage you to participate in a challenge initiated by Tomkat Stitchery, The Precious Fabric Challenge. The gals who keep Tomkat Stitchery going, a very informative online sewing community, are so fun! We first met the fearless leader, Whitney Luckenbill, through ASDP, the group Rae talked about a few weeks ago in this blog.
Whitney and her team have the challenge so organized, you’ll want to read through their information and posts for inspiration and start planning to participate. Then read on to see Rae’s entry!
Tomkat’s Vision for the Challenge
“At TomKat Stitchery, we are celebrating National Sewing Month with the Precious Fabric Challenge. This is the second year we are challenging all sewists to dig into your stash of fabric and find that piece that is precious to you. Precious doesn’t mean expensive. It could be a fabric that you were gifted, picked up on travels, or something that you fell in love with while shopping, or bought on an impulse without a plan.
September is National Sewing Month. I don’t need a special month to sew, but it sure is fun to have a reason to celebrate! National Sewing month has an interesting history I highly suggest you read.” Whitney Luckenbill
How to Participate
From Tomkat Stitchery, here are the basic rules:
- Take 30 minutes to get into your fabric stash and uncover your favorite fabrics that have been folded and hidden away for too long.
- Sort through your favorite patterns to see if any of these fabrics would work with a pattern you have (new or an old favorite). If you want to browse some of my favorite pattern companies, check out my RESOURCES page. Follow @TomKat.Stitchery on Instagram.
- Share your thoughts, plans, and final garment on Instagram using #PreciousFabric25 by September 30.
- Winners will be selected at random to win one of several DIGITAL PATTERN PRIZE PACKAGES. This challenge is open to everyone worldwide and since the prizes are digital, no pesky shipping or tariff concerns.
Rae’s Precious Fabric Challenge Entry
Rae here with the story of my 2025 Precious Fabric entry. On an early visit to the Satalin fabric store in Revel, France (I think it was 2018) my daughter Anna picked out a piece of rayon that was the end of the bolt, probably one meter in length which is about 38”. She likes rayon, but she also loved the drape of the crepe weave, the orange color, and the interesting birds flying across the yardage.
This piece of fabric has been carried across the ocean so many times as Rae encouraged Anna to choose a design. We had always discussed a little top with ¾-length sleeves, perfect for the fall weather in Toulouse where she lives and works. But she was always hesitant to have me cut into this favorite piece of fabric.
This year, as summer was coming to a close, she gave me permission to stitch it up for her. Her Carpe Diem pattern was with me in France and I knew it fit well having recently made a little double gauze version. But Anna always puts her personal spin on her garments, so she brought me a top she likes that had a little front yoke and button front opening. Working with the available fabric, I stitched up this lovely little top which she will enjoy for many years to come. The simple design really allows the migrating birds to soar! As you might imagine, there are very few scraps!
Now it’s Your Turn
We encourage you to take the precious fabric challenge to celebrate National Sewing Month and would love for you to use one of your beloved TNT Fit for Art patterns. Please include the name of the pattern and #fitforartpatterns when you post your entry. It’s not about winning, but you just might! It is about the love of sewing and celebrating sewing during National Sewing Month.
