Ricochet and Away!: Vote: Fab Folds Sewing Challenge

September's challenge was to:

Successfully execute pleating, pintucking and/or smocking in a finished piece.

I've featured all the finished entries in this post so be sure to scroll down past the poll and see the projects in greater detail and follow the links to their respective blogs.

SELECT YOUR TOP 3 ENTRIES AND PRESS VOTE.
Anyone can vote once a day throughout October 2012.
The order of the entries is random and changes every time you vote.

Nine participants from literally ALL OVER THE WORLD chose to accept this challenge. Everyone put in a lot of effort and showed loads of heart and skill, and 8 were able to meet the challenge. Just look at what they achieved:

Anshu from Blooms and Bugs made this cute Big Bow Dress.
It features a central pleat with that draws your eye to sweet bow at the top.
Anshu chose a rich, luxurious fabric that contrasts beautifully with a fun print for the lining.
Please visit her blog and check out all her wonderful tutorials.
Anshu's post about this dress can be found HERE.

Bella from Nisabell Necessary made this incredible smocked book cover.

She pulled out all the stops when it came to adding details.

The intricate smocking is decorated with tiny beaded flowers--what dedication!

Please visit her blog and check out her fabulous tutorials.

Bella posted about her book cover HERE and HERE.

Diya from The Hobby Harbor made this Yummy Yellow Skirt.

It features pockets, decorative buttons, and a rows pintucking across the bottom.

Diya chose polka-dotted fabric to contrast with the fun yellow--a genius choice, very effective!

Please visit her blog and check out her many DIY ideas.

Diya blogged about her skirt HERE.

Marisa from Passion et Courture created this striking smocked pilllow.

She started used canadian smocking which is kind of cool since she's from Montreal!

The fabric had a subtle stripe or plaid that created really cool ombre effect when smocked.

Please check out her blog where she shows you how she made tons of great projects.

Marisa blogged about her pillow HERE.

Mira from Sewing the Littleheart Collection made a tunic with leggings.
She managed to successfully include pintucks, pleats, and smocking all in one outfit!
All those techniques were perfectly executed (in knits no less!) and smartly placed--great job!
Please check out Mira's blog packed with lots of handy tutorials.
Mira shows you how to recreate this outfit HERE.

Pam from Threading My Way created this pretty Pintucked Skirt.
According to Pam, those tiny 1/16" pintucks took a lot of patience and "Maths"!
The effect is very subtle, but those details transform a simple garment into something more.
Please check out Pam's blog, her linky parties, and tutorials are just great.
Pam blogged about her skirt HERE.

Patty from Make it Cozee met my challenge twice!
First she made this fun pintucked clutch with all kinds of pockets inside, and then she made this darling pintucked pillowcase dress.
Please check out Patty's many tutorials, recipes, and much more!
She blogged about her clutch HERE and her dress HERE.

Rachel and Donna from Once Upon a Sewing Machine created a Market Place Bag.
This mother/daughter team made a tote featuring an inner pocket with an inverted pleat and an outer pocket with smocking.
Made with pretty floral prints, this bag also has key clip and a band to keep it rolled up when not in use.
Please check out all their great sewing tutorials HERE.
They blogged about their bag HERE.

Even the hostess (me!) managed to meet the challenge.
I made a little gingham pouch with a row of smocking and an even smaller pouch with some wavy pleats.
I blogged about the gingham pouch HERE and the pleated pouch HERE.

I'd like to give BIG HUGS and THANK YOUs to all the participants. This was a really tough challenge and you all met it with style and surprising skill. The best thing, in my opinion, about these challenges is seeing how differently participants approach, design, and solve a problem. I mean, we're all a bunch of lady bloggers who like to sew, who were given the exact same challenge, but look how unique all the entries are! I'm amazed and inspired by this. You all worked so hard, and I'm so proud of what we've achieved!

Here's a handy button you can use to promote the voting portion of this challenge:

The entries with the most votes will win a super-dooper shiny badge and all the bragging rights that go with it!
Good luck and thanks again!

If you're interested in joining a fun sewing challenge, just click on the "challenge" button on my menu bar and see what the current challenge is.

Happy crafting and big hugs from Montana,