Project Run & Play the Backstory

What started as an online sewing kids clothing competition has evolved over the years…into 12 years of sewing competitions, reader features, sew Along's, trend features, sponsors prizes & giveaways, sewing tutorials, A Pattern Shop, and oodles of inspiration…Want to know the history behind Project Run & Play?

Project Run and Play was started on Dec 8, 2010 by Michalah Thayer (Mama Thayer). Michalah if you are reading this we would love you to contact us! Michalah also had two other Blogs at the Time. Put of Eden and Ephesians 5:10. 

Katy from No Big Dill was the winner of Season 1!

Her Prize Package Included...

·                A $75 gift card from Fabric.com

·                A pound of coffee from Espresso Vein Roasterie 

·                A set of fabric notecards and flower hair clips from Elabellelz

Season 2 was won by Liz and Elizabeth from Simple Simon & Co. Who bought the Event in November of 2011.

Liz & Elizabeth started the Sew Along's, The All Star Season (Season 6) and evolved the seasons from 8 designers down to 6 designers. in 2016 They brought on Audery from Skirt Fixation and Michelle from Falafel and the Bee as assistants.

Sarah from The Crazy Tailor (who no longer has an online presence) was the Winner of Season 9, created our Logos that we still use today. 

Before Season 14 Audrey took over Project Run & Play and has been its fearless leader ever since!

Audrey evolved Project Run and Play from being solely an event, into a Pattern Shop. The Pattern Shop has released 8 Designer Collaboration Collections. You can find all the look books here.

Our most recent Winner of Season 26 was Nele of SewStory by Nele

Just as a contrast from season 1, her Prize Package Included...

Pattern Workshop membership ($429 value)

                              100 Euro voucher from Lillestoff and 3 magazines (~$130 value)

4 meters of fabric from METERMETER (~$135 value)

100 Euro gift certificate from Lotte Martens

100 Euro gift certificate from About Blue 

2 x 2 meters of choice fabric + 5 buttons x 2 models of choice from Atelier Brunette ($110 value)

$125 gift certificate to spend at Peony Patterns

8 patterns from Violette Field Threads (~$80 value)

A fabric and pdf pattern bundle from Bobbins n Buttons.

3 patterns from  Näh-Connection

So Sew English Fabrics Pre-Season $75 shopping spree

And a $50 Pre-Season shopping spree from Minerva Crafts

In July of 2022 Audrey brought on three fantastic assistants! Jenny from Made of Starlight Couture who was runner up on Season 21!

Lindsay from PA Country Crafts who was the winner of Season 13! 

and Whitney from SewWhit Designs, who was runner up on Season 25! 

Over the Course of the Event Project Run and Play has had 150 Designers showcase their amazing designs!

We have had a total of 28 Seasons (Including the Mini & All Star Seasons)

We have 11 countries represented from sewist around the world! 

Project Run & Play is truly a Gem in the Online Sewing Community! Thank you for your continued support over the years! And please stay tuned, exciting things are in our future! 

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