Janet Brooks,
Albuquerque, NM

The Trio Top was altered into a striking golden piece of outerwear with intricate detailing. The edges were hand stitched in contrasting print bias binding with an extra underlayer of black trim to create a layered bias binding effect. Delicate inseam buttonholes were perfectly stitched on the front placket to work flawlessly with the subdued textured buttons. The Trio T-Shirt was also altered to create a matching chiffon shawl in a contemporary print.

Janet Brooks has taught embroidery software and digitizing for 13 years. She uses current technology as an artistic medium, combining computers and embroidery machines to create wearable art.

Mary Collen,
Orting, WA

The Trio T-Shirt pattern was lengthened to create a chic bluegray lined coat with a small stand collar and a stylized back yoke that turns into architectural seaming at the front. Contrasting wool fabric was felted and dyed to create a stunning band of Art Deco inspired flowers around the coat hem.

Mary Collen has been designing since she was a young child. For the last 20 years she has been a Clothing and Textile Advisor in Pierce Country, as well as coordinator for the style shows at the Puyallup Sewing and Stitchery Expo.

How to Enter:

1. Choose a top, pants or skirt pattern of your choice to modify, alter and embellish, creating a one-of-a-kind garment that's uniquely you!
2. Register for the contest at sewnews.com/stylestar. After registering, you'll receive a 50% off coupon code for the Trio T-Shirt, Top or Pants pattern by The Sewing Workshop Pattern Collection to use, if desired, for this contest.
3. Photograph your creation (on a dress form or yourself) and upload it through your sewnews.com/stylestar registration profile, along with the pattern name and number, a description of what you did to make the pattern your own and what qualifies you to become the first ever Sew News Style Star.
4. Encourage others to vote for your entry at sewnews.com/stylestar. The entry with the most votes will win the Grand Prize Package and the winning garment will appear in the Dec/Jan '12 issue of Sew News!

When to Enter:

The Sew News Style Star contest begins at 12 a.m. EST on January 14, 2011 and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on September 9, 2011. The winner will be notified on or before September 14, 2011 via e-mail or phone.

How to Win:

Vote for your favorite garment at sewnews.com/stylestar. Each contest page visitor can cast as many votes as possible within the contest period. After the contest end date, the nominee with the most visitor votes will win the grand prize.

What to Win:

The winning Style Star will receive over 60 fabulous prizes: a Husqvarna Viking H Class 600E sewing and embroidery machine; 10 Amy Butler patterns; four Bendable Bright Lights (US, Canada, European and Australia plug styles); 13 Bertina Studio embroidery designs; a Famore Cutlery Devon Deluxe Magnifier with stand and an assortment of sewing tools; a Franklin Hart sterling silver skeleton key pendant; a Gütermann In Home Thread Cabinet; a JHB International 1 lb. button assortment; a June Tailor 120-spool thread rack; a Kwik Sew catalog and gift certificate for 6 sewing patterns; a Martingale & Company library of sewing books; OESD embroidery notions assortment; an Olfa rotary cutter and mat; a Schmetz needle assortment; a Sulky 24-spool thread assortment and Slimline Storage Box; Westminster Fibers Lifestyle Fabrics Ty Pennington Impressions fabric; 10-pattern assortment, a bottle of Fiber Etch and Silkpaint Resist from Wildly Wonderful Wearables. And the winning garment will be featured in the Dec/Jan '12 issue of Sew News.

Primary Sponsors:

Prize Sponsors:

Amy Butler Design, Gütermann, JHB International, June Tailor, Olfa, Schmetz Needles