Super Online Sewing Match End of the Road…

Hello dear friends.  It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the news that I have been eliminated from the Super Online Sewing Match.  It was an utter disappointment {insert crocodile tears here} to learn I won’t be moving on to the final challenge.  I was so close to that much coveted Janome sewing machine, but alas, it is not to be.
 
Okay, enough of the pity party.  I like my little blog to be a happy place, and there is much to be happy about.  Throughout the competition I remained true to my individual style and I am so proud of everything I made, and all on a sewing machine that is over thirty years old!  I think I’m proof that you do not need the latest in technology to create beauty and quality in a garment.  The past several weeks have been so very rewarding, and I am endlessly grateful to Beth and Kristin for seeing in me the potential to be a positive contributor to The Super Online Sewing Match!  The logistics of putting this contest together and keeping everything running like clockwork, from coast to coast, and over two countries, is a bit mind boggling for me.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart ladies!   Kudos to the judges that week after week, are burdened with the task of determining who makes the cut, and for whom the journey has ended.  Thank you for letting me ride along for much of the contest.  And, congratulations to the final three.  You all turned out fabulous shirts, and I wish you the very best of luck in the final challenge!  
 
My deepest, most heartfelt thanks to all of you, my dearest readers!  Your comments have been a delight to read, and it was with your encouragement that I was able to get this far. Sending you much love and gratitude!
 
Did that all read like I was on the podium accepting an Oscar?  Gak, I’m such a dork!  
 
Here are a few things I learned from my time in the contest:
 
I absolutely love choosing my own patterns!  It’s going to be a relief to dip into my pattern stash and pick my muse of the day.  
 
On the flip side, being presented with a pattern generates an extra ooomph in creative spark…opening my email and learning what I was to sew that week pushed me out of my comfort zone, and had a positive influence on my creativity!   
 
A big surprise for me…I am capable of making a fairly quick decision in a fabric store.  Okay, not 30 minutes at Mood, Project Runway quick…but still, much faster than I ever dreamed I could.
 
The very nature of the competition was stress inducing, yet while sewing, I was calm, cool and rather collected.  The next time we change abodes, I will begin sewing an intricate tailored garment and pack my sewing machine at the 11th hour.  
 
I can sew and sew so well!  
 
 
***
 
With each round we entered, we received gift certificates to online fabric stores.  Let me share with you what I chose.
 

 

Spot on Small Dot in Pink
Sweet on NY Mini Dot in Blue

 

Alexander Henry, Folklorico, Lupe Natural

 

I was pleased with how these fabrics coordinate.  I have never ordered fabric online before, and I am really happy with how closely the fabric matches what I saw on my computer monitor.
 
 
The Fabric Fairy has amazing collection of lycra fabric.  I used to sew workout wear and bathing suits, and am excited to sew some bathing suits out of these yummy prints!
 
Sand Dollar Teardrop Swimsuit
Asian Inspired Swimsuit, Pink Colourway
White Pindots on Lime Swimsuit
 
All righty, that’s all for now.  I hope to get back to my regular bloggy rambles soon, but first I need to visit the fair and get me a bag of mini donuts.  Feel free to give me a nudge, and get me out of my funk!  
Bwaa-aah-aahhh!

33 Comments

  • Reply Shirl August 21, 2013 at 11:07 am

    Well, Sue you sure did come pretty close. But as I said to John, you do such an amazing job on the machine that you use, that you have so(sew) much to be extremely proud of, whether you win or not. Good on you for being up for the challenges that were presented. Your talent never ceases to amaze me… (Hey we, your followers went on the ride as well). It is all good…….Hope you enjoyed the Fair!

    Love
    Shirl

  • Reply Nicole August 21, 2013 at 11:15 am

    I'm not even out of my own funk yet, but then again I hadn't tried a bag of mini-donuts, so… 🙂 You CAN sew so well (much better than 'well', more like 'perfectly'!), so don't let a contest elimination cause you to think otherwise. I look forward to seeing more of your beautiful work!

  • Reply Erin || Sewbon.com August 21, 2013 at 11:50 am

    Sue! You have been such an inspiration and I have truly enjoyed seeing each and every project you made for the competition! You are such a rock star! I can only hope that one day I can be as awesome as you and sew such beautiful and professional items!

    And now I want a donut! 🙂

  • Reply Mary August 21, 2013 at 12:18 pm

    Sue, it has been a real joy following your splendid work during the contest. I'm so glad to have found your blog. You have inspired me to try some of the challenges myself and to be as meticulous as you have been. Well done, Sue!!

  • Reply Michelle August 21, 2013 at 12:44 pm

    Sue you are an awesome and inspiring sewist!! You did us Canadians proud!!

  • Reply Kristin Buchholz-MacKillop August 21, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    You did AMAZING and I am still in awe of that bag that you showed is weeks ago. You have a lot to be proud of. Think of how you have pushed yourself and what the future holds!

  • Reply pastcaring August 21, 2013 at 1:31 pm

    Oh Suuuuuue! You were robbed, love! Well, I'm sure the finalists are great but so are you, I was convinced that someone with your awesome skills must be the winner…
    But I hope you feel really proud of everything you made, because they are wonderful pieces. Well done!
    I love the fabrics you chose, the bluebird/floral print is beautiful.
    Now, dry your eyes, eat some doughnuts, and on to the next fabulous project! xxxx

  • Reply kates new life August 21, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    Wow I am surprised you were eliminated, your shirt was impeccable down to the very last detail and so sharp and crisp looking. You did a wonderful job no matter the contest!
    Keep on sewing… 🙂

  • Reply dm siverson August 21, 2013 at 2:55 pm

    Sorry to see your elimination, I truly thought you would be moving on… (I studied everyone's photo's) and thought you had impeccable fabrication. Glad to have found your blog. I will definitely keep reading

  • Reply amy mayen August 21, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    Oh Sue. I cannot tell a lie. I'm completely devastated. When I got the email I opened it, scrolled through, and didn't see you…so I reread it to make sure. All the projects were amazing, but I was rooting for you like my hubby roots for Brazil during the World Cup. If they don't win, he's mad for about 4 years.

    All that being said, I'm so proud of you! And I am excited to see what you do next, free of obligation. I think you deserve a few super easy sews while you plot your next masterpiece. I'm still rooting for ya!

  • Reply thequirkypeach August 21, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    Mini donuts help everything! Congrats on making it this far – I have loved reading about all of your sewing projects and am very excited to see what you make now that you are “free” again 🙂 Great job!!!

  • Reply Jo-Anne August 21, 2013 at 10:13 pm

    You're awesome!! You go girl – woot!!

  • Reply fearsome5 August 22, 2013 at 1:24 am

    robbed! yours was my favorite!

  • Reply lattegirl40 August 22, 2013 at 5:57 am

    Not to be little any other contestant, but I think you should still be in the contest, your shirt was amazing!!!

  • Reply Val Sparkle August 22, 2013 at 6:12 am

    Nooooooo! The others must have been sewing with gold and bribery. Your work is exceptional, and I can't wait to see what you show us that you sew just for fun!

  • Reply Flo August 22, 2013 at 6:18 am

    Well darn, I was convinced you were going to win!!!! Kudos though to the great pieces you created for this contest–just the bag you made was worth the whole thing in my opinion 😉 Maybe you should just go ahead and treat yourself to a new sewing machine as a Christmas present? I will say this though–while I like the new machine I bought myself last year, there are still things that my old machine does better. I just wish I had enough space to set them both up. Maybe once I'm done with this whole “purge”.

    Enjoy those donuts!!! You deserve them.

  • Reply Carelia Moran August 22, 2013 at 6:59 am

    Well darn it!!! Well, you are great to me and the most outstanding about you is your passion. Now you off to have even more fun sewing without pressure. I can't wait to see your projects for this Fall.

    Mysmallwardrobe.com

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas August 22, 2013 at 7:57 am

    Thank you bunches ladies! All your comments have cheered me immensely. That and the sugar high from yesterday's doughnut indulgence! The real treat at the fair was seeing one of my favourite bands, Great Big Sea…outdoors and under a full moon.

  • Reply josep-maria badia August 22, 2013 at 9:22 am

    I think you're a great seamstress. I really have impressed your clothes, even the shirt from the previous post, would be me, without thinking. I hope you continue delighting us with your proposals.

  • Reply sabine August 22, 2013 at 11:19 am

    Sorry to hear that you are eliminated! But nevertheless you made fantastic clothes and you will go on sewing your own special gorgeous style. That is a gife nobody can elimate. I look forward to seeing what will happen with that wonderful patterned fabrics. You surely have great ideas.
    Sabine xxx

  • Reply ann wood August 22, 2013 at 2:00 pm

    Ah Sue you were robbed! Your items were sewn with expertise and precision from what I can see. The mens shirt is amazing. In my field I am competing constantly, it's just usually one persons opinion and this can vary with the day or mood. So keep going because boy everyone can see you are one fabulous seamstress!

    blue hue wonderland

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas August 22, 2013 at 10:09 pm

    High praise indeed, thank you Josep!

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas August 22, 2013 at 10:12 pm

    You are so right Ann. In the creative arts field, it is very much about what resonates on a personal level. A good reminder for me!

  • Reply Marla Robinson August 23, 2013 at 2:57 am

    So sorry, I really can't believe that. You are so talented. I love everything you create.

  • Reply Jan Graham-McMillen August 23, 2013 at 9:54 am

    Well. They were just wrong.
    You're our brilliant girl … this stuff is so subjective. Of course, what you did had a much broader reach than the contest. Because of you and women like Jean at *Dross Into Gold* I've dusted the cat hair off my machine and am thinking more about what I can do to change up what I have through my own creativity. I'm in awe of all your creative energy and fortitude.
    You rock.

  • Reply Jan Graham-McMillen August 23, 2013 at 9:59 am

    … and just to echo what Sabine said …
    You finished with some completely custom fitted and personally relevant wardrobe pieces that you can show off forever.
    And you're forever better off than before the contest because you know just how good you are … learning all the time!

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas August 23, 2013 at 10:27 am

    “That is a gift nobody can eliminate.” is such a wonderful thing to say. Thank you Sabine! xoxo

  • Reply Cheryl August 23, 2013 at 2:55 pm

    Huh? How'd that happen? I'm so disappointed, I thought you were a shoe-in.
    I'm sorry to learn that you were eliminated, but really, if you can turn out the high quality projects that you did with a 30 year old machine, who needs the shiny, new, fancy-schmancy model?
    I'm sure it was a frantic and intense few weeks for you, so relax and take a breather, then show us something that's totally 'you' with that fabulous new fabric.

  • Reply Lynn Dylan August 23, 2013 at 3:51 pm

    Oh, Sue, you sound like a sweetheart!! I am so bummed! I wanted you to win! You should have won! But I tell you what, you really showed your skills, and to hold your own in this!! Wow! I am so impressed.

    XOXOXOXO
    Lynn Dylan

  • Reply Lynn Marsh August 23, 2013 at 5:15 pm

    Sorry you were eliminated. I think you did well.

  • Reply dan August 25, 2013 at 2:01 am

    What a pity! But a real champion can loose a , and you did gracefully. The wonderful clothes you have shared give you a gold medal!!

  • Reply Emalina August 26, 2013 at 12:31 pm

    Oh Sue what a shame you didn't get to the final round, but what an achievement to have come so far. Each and every piece you made was beautifully cut and sewn. Keep at it, not only is it obviously a very meditative practice for you but you show such talent!

  • Reply Kelli Ward September 5, 2013 at 5:57 am

    you are so graceful and talented. i want you to know that both my husband and I were shocked that you didn't make it to the finals. you are one one talented lady.

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