Roots Sewing Series - MjiaMae Accessories Bundle Giveaway

It's been a fun start to the Roots Sewing Series, with so much more to come!  Today, our journey around the world takes us to South Africa and the MjiaMae Design Studio.  The MjiaMae, M & T Atelier is a Design Studio based on the Coast of the Eastern Cape in South Africa that was started by a daughter and mother team in October 2013.

MjiaMae has developed into a beautiful fashion line, with a focus on an exclusive limited line producing original,  small collections only.  While the label focuses on little and young girls they have plans to expand to a ladies collection, called Lady Mae. MjiaMae is known for the use of soft, cool cotton voiles for summer, and clean lines with a simplistic, classic design.  They use only the best finishings, for example, a French made method of using binding on certain seams.  Touches of European inspiration with a signature touch of black are often used as detail with colourful trim components.  They even place their printed label at the hemline of the garment to prevent scratchiness at the neckline.  No detail goes unnoticed with this design team!

MjiaMae is really taking the world by storm!  One of their dresses (Lilly Ruffle Tutu dress) is being featured in the February 2014 issue Ideas Magazine and their limited collections quickly sell out.  Soon, they will begin taking online orders, so I can only imagine the huge success that will follow.

It's with great excitement to announce that MjiaMae Design Studio is generously offering one reader an exclusive accessories gift bundle.  Good luck to everyone, and thank you, MjiaMae Design Studio!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Roots Sewing Series - Free Apron Pattern

The free Apron pattern includes:

•  12 page PDF document (1.6MB) with full colour photographs and instructions
• numbered, step-by-step instructions
• prints on both standard 8.5X11" and A4 paper
• includes both imperial and metric measurements
• full-size pattern pages 
• seam allowances included
• no serger needed
• sizes 6 months to 9 years
• fabric recommendations & requirements and notions

Once you are directed to google docs, click on the arrow in the top left hand corner to download the complimentary pattern.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

Roots Sewing Series - Do Guincho

I have admired the talents of Marta from Do Guincho ever since I laid eyes on her beautifully photographed outfits on her pretty, little girls.  Her skills are impeccable, as is her attention to detail.  Here is just a peek at what she's made for the series.  I'm sure you will want to click through to see more of it.  Thank you, Marta, for sharing with us today, and inviting us to see something inspired by your beautiful country, Portugal!

Roots Sewing Series - Elegance & Elephants

Behind the scenes I've been excitedly working on my Roots sewing series outfit, and today I finally get to share it with you!  It has been so rewarding to put this outfit together for my little girl.  

First of all, let's talk about my inspiration.  My heritage is a very unique mixture of two very different cultures: Czech and Trinidadian.  My parents both immigrated to Canada when they were in their twenties, met, married, and here I am!  At first, I was really uncertain about how to combine these two cultures.  Originally I thought I would make two separate outfits, but then, I like a challenge!  In the end, it actually wasn't that big a challenge at all.  I knew I had to create something that was inspired by the Czech national folk costume.  I've always loved the look of them…so beautiful with so many gorgeous details!  As a little girl, I used to play with these little Czech dolls dressed in these stunning dresses, and I always wanted one.  So, I knew I would create a similar, yet simplified, look for my girl.  And as I browsed through examples, I noticed that many of them had the colour palette of red, black, and white.  Well, that was just perfect, since those are the colours of the Trinidadian flag.  What a simple way of combining my two cultures!  

The Czech traditional costumes (called kroje) are very distinctive to each region, and now, are only worn during certain celebrations or festivals.  They are known for vivid colours, intricate embroidery, and elaborate accessories (scarves, ribbons, headdresses, hats, and belts).  One interesting fact I learned, was that in the Plzen region, the women wore 24 underskirts!

Here are some photos I was inspired by:

source

source

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And here is the flag that became my colour palette.

Trinidad & Tobago flag

What I came up with is a versatile, three piece outfit.  Probably my favourite part is the collar of the white underdress.  It's kind of a delicate, flounced, overlapped peter pan collar, that through quite a bit of trial and error, came out just the way I wanted it (don't you just love it when that happens!).  I self-drafted the white dress and added lace to the bottom.  The pinafore is adapted from the pattern in the Five and Ten Designs Volume 1 eBook.  I lowered the front bodice piece, and added some width to the skirt to get more volume.  The little apron is also a self-drafted pattern, and one that I will make available to you in five sizes on Wednesday (and it will be free!)

Tomorrow, we head to Portugal when we are joined by Marta from Do Guincho.  I've seen a sneak peek, so I know you won't want to miss it!

You can join in the Sew-Along and get in on the fun!  

Every submission is entered into a draw to win some AMAZING prize packages!  

Roots Sewing Series Prizes, Sponsors, and Sew Along Link Up

Today is the day it all officially begins!  The Roots Sewing Series is all about celebrating worldwide heritage through sewing for children.  Not only do we have an amazing line-up of guests and a Sew-Along for everyone to get involved, but also an unbelievable group of sponsors who have generously contributed huge prizes!

THE GUESTS

So, let's start with the guests.  If you saw my original post, you may noticed that there has been a change.  Unfortunately, one guest had to cancel, but that slot was quickly filled by another talented sewist: Annika from Näh-connection.  So here they are, the group of ladies from all corners of the world who will share outfits inspired by their cultural backgrounds.  It's going to be amazing!  Oh, and of course, I will have to get in on this, so watch for my outfits which will combine my two very different backgrounds.  Should be interesting…Slavic and Caribbean, all in one outfit!  The guests will begin posting on January 14 and I know it's going to be an incredibly rich cultural experience of stunning sewing.

THE SEW-ALONG

And how about you!?  Ready to do some heritage sewing of your own?  Wouldn't it be awesome to see your little one(s) wearing something you have created that is inspired by the part of the world you come from?  There are countless ways to approach this theme: a traditional or historical outfit, or maybe the colours of your flag.  Perhaps your country is known for a particular style, or has a famous designer you could use as inspiration.  How about fabrics, prints, or designs popular in your culture?  Maybe you've already made something that fits this criteria.  Perfect!  You're ready to join in!  Feel free to submit as many outfits as you like, sewn at any time.  You just need to link to your photographs and submit them by January 31, 2014.    

If you are sewing along, make sure to add this button to your blog to let everyone know you are participating.

<div align="center">
<a href="/" title="Elegance & Elephants"><img src="../albums/gg498/EleganceandElephants/rootsbutton_zps857104e8.jpg" alt="Elegance & Elephants" style="border:none;"/></a></div>

THE PRIZES

To add to all this fun and excitement, a group of top-notch online stores, boutiques, and designers are sponsoring this series and providing you with the opportunity to win exclusive prizes.  Everyone who participates has a chance to win.

There will be three different prize packages awarded to Sew-Along participants, as well as a Giveaway open to anyone.

The Grand Prize will be awarded to one Sew-Along participant as chosen by a group of judges.  Each judge will select their favourite outfit from all the Sew-Along submissions.  The outfit with the most votes will win the Grand Prize.  Feel free to use patterns to make your outfits since this is not a design competition.  Just let us know which pattern(s) you used.  And if you alter any patterns to create your outfit, although not necessary, a tutorial would be wonderful.  It's always great to learn new techniques and ways to broaden sewing skills.  Who are the judges???  The lovely guests participating in the series and yours truly (me!).  We cannot wait to see what you make!!  

The criteria will be:

Craftsmanship: How well was the outfit sewn?  Since the construction of your outfit can only be seen on the screen, make sure to include photographs that showcase your outfit well.

Theme: How well does the submission fit with the theme?  Give a description of how the outfit incorporates your cultural background.  We look forward to learning about your heritage!

Wearability: How functional is the outfit?  Since this is also about sewing for children, make something that is comfortable and wearable for a child.

GRAND PRIZE - Judges' Choice

$100 gift card from Gold Star Tools 

$75 gift card from L'Oiseau Fabrics

$30 gift card from Ribbon Retreat

Very Shannon - 3 pdf patterns (winner's choice)

Craftiness Is Not Optional - 3 pdf Patterns (winner's choice)

Blank Slate - 2 pdf patterns (winner's choice)

Go To Patterns - 2 pdf patterns (winner's choice)
Sew Like My Mom - 2 pdf patterns (winner's choice)

ALL Sew-Along participants will automatically be entered to win one of the following incredible prize packages.  The three winners will be selected at random from all the submissions uploaded to the link-up below (the Grand Prize winner will not be eligible for these prizes).

PRODUCTS PRIZE PACK

$75 gift card from Gold Star Tools

Party of Ribbon Bundle from L'Oiseau Fabrics ($23 value)

$30 gift card from Zipit

PATTERNS PRIZE PACK

Very Shannon - 3 pdf patterns (winner's choice)

Blank Slate - 2 pdf patterns (winner's choice)
Sew Like My Mom - 1 pdf pattern (winner's choice)

Beatnik Kids - The Bond Top PDF Pattern 

Peaches and Peanuts Patterns - Jack & Jill Color Block Shirt PDF Pattern 

Sewing Mama RaeAnna - Cupcake Top PDF Pattern

E & E PATTERNS PRIZE PACK
E & E Patterns - 2 pdf patterns from the soon-to-be-released Spring 14 Collection 
(winner's choice)

Winners will be announced on February 3, 2014.

On January 16, there will be a Roots Sewing Series Giveaway open to anyone who would like to enter.

GIVEAWAY

Exclusive Accessory Bundle from MjiaMae Design Studio

It's a pleasure to introduce you to our wonderful sponsors.  These shops and designers provide top quality products in the sewing world and it's an honour to have them be a part of the series.  Please take some time to visit their shops and enjoy their products and exemplary customer service.

THE PRODUCT SPONSORS

America's #1 independent web retailer of fashion and sewing supplies, GoldStarTool will provide you with the highest-quality, lowest-cost sewing supplies and equipment to meet your needs.  Free US shipping.

High quality, imported European fabric, trim, and patterns.  A store inspired by the love of all things crafted.

Quality ribbon.  Quality prices.  Quality Service.

YKK® Zippers for Sale at Wholesale Prices! The Best Selection of YKK® Zippers on Etsy! 

MjiaMae is a proudly South African design studio.  The daughter and mother design team are both fashion designers and share a love for beautiful fashion & decor items.

THE PATTERN SPONSORS

So, let's begin the fun, shall we!?  

Link to your blog or if you don't have one, use a Flickr account with photographs of your outfit.

Refashion Month at House of Estrela

This is Refashion Month at House of Estrela, and today I have the pleasure of guest posting for this awesome series with a round up of my upcycled outfits.  There are always a ton of ideas from all the guests, so head over there to and don't miss out on the fun!