Threads + Folkwear Sewing Challenge

January 21, 2026

Threads, the premier magazine for all things related to garment sewing, has teamed up with Folkwear to present a sewing challenge to celebrate Folkwear's 50th year.

Sewists of every skill level are encouraged to construct a look that updates traditional American garment design, then enter their work into the competition. One winner of the challenge will be chosen by a panel of judges and receive a prize package. 

Here are the challenge details from Threads: 

You must begin with a pattern(s) from the Folkwear vintage line and interpret it to reflect contemporary American fashion. For a limited time, Folkwear is offering a 20% discount on these patterns; enter the code THREADSVINTAGE for 20% off at checkout now through April 1, 2026.

Your entry must be a garment or ensemble you’ve sewn that covers the wearer’s body. Acceptable garments are a full-length coat, dress, jumpsuit; and/or separates, which must be paired to create a full ensemble. You may adapt your chosen pattern in length, embellishment, construction methods, and closures, but the original design concept should be discernible in the finished garment. 

Entry Requirements:

To enter, complete the entry form and submit photos to the challenge submission page between January 20, 2026 and midnight April 23, 2026 EDT.

The entry forms require an artist’s statement in which you must explain:

• the Folkwear pattern(s) you chose
• what modern activity or event your look is intended for
• fabrics, trims, and other materials you used (including sources)
• any special techniques you employed to create your final garment
• how you interpreted the design
• what you learned through this process, including any challenges you encountered and how you solved them.

You will also need to fill out the artist statement form and upload it along with at least two—but no more than six—clear photos of your garment to our challenge entry form submission page: a full-length front view, a full-length back view, and no more than four additional photos of your choosing. These may be close-up photos, process photos, or individual pictures of an ensemble’s components. 

Judges to Choose a Winner

The entries will be judged by a panel of experts, based on adherence to the challenge guidelines, as well as overall construction, fabric choice, and any embellishment. The judges will select and contact up to five finalists by May 5, 2026. Finalists’ garments must be sent to Threads magazine for photography, and from them, the judges will choose a winner. The winner will be announced in the Threads Fall 2026 print issue (on newsstands September 8, 2026) and online.  

The Threads-Folkwear Sewing Challenge winner receives a prize package:

• One-year membership to Threads Insider, valued at $59.95. It includes a one-year subscription to the print and digital magazine, Insider eletter, and access to 40 years of Threads content through the online archive;
• Three e-learning courses of your choice, minimum total value $149.97;
• Your challenge entry featured in an issue of Threads magazine and at ThreadsMagazine.com.
• Challenge finalists will also be noted in Threads.

For more information, submission forms, and links, go to Threads Magazine Folkwear Sewing Challenge.

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