The Charmingo Sew-Off

Three hours. One challenge. One winner.

Think you've got what it takes?

Welcome to The Charmingo Sew-Off – a brand-new live sewing challenge from Charmingo Sews Academy.

Designed for competent beginners, intermediate and advanced home sewists, The Charmingo Sew-Off is your chance to put your sewing skills to the test in a fun, friendly and supportive competition.

Not a sewing class but a fun sewing competition. You'll be given a surprise sewing challenge on the day. The pattern remains a closely guarded secret until the event begins, meaning every competitor starts with the same information and the same amount of time.

Each Sew-Off has its own unique challenge, giving you the opportunity to test your creativity, accuracy and time management while sewing against the clock.

Upcoming Sew-Offs

Saturday 1 August | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Pattern Challenge

A surprise women's garment pattern will be revealed at the start of the challenge.

Saturday 15 August | 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Transform Challenge

Transform an existing garment into something completely new.

Saturday 5 September | 11:00am – 3:00pm
Pattern Challenge

A brand-new surprise women's garment.

Saturday 12 September | 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Denim Transform Challenge

Give unwanted denim a completely new purpose.

Saturday 19 September | 11:00am – 4:00pm
Finale – Made by Me

Create a garment of your choice using either a commercial sewing pattern or your own drafted pattern. The more ambitious your project, the greater the opportunity to impress the judging panel.

The Details

Entry fee £40 per competitor

Spaces are strictly limited to 8 competitors at each event to ensure a comfortable working environment and plenty of filming space.

  • The Charmingo Sew-Off is suitable for:

    • Competent beginners

    • Intermediate sewists

    • Advanced home sewists

    Competitors should already be confident:

    • Using a sewing machine independently

    • Reading and following a sewing pattern

    • Constructing garments without tuition

    The Sew-Off is intended for hobbyists, students and non-professional sewists. Individuals whose primary occupation is sewing, dressmaking, alterations or garment production are not eligible to compete.

    • Fabric (fabric requirements will be provided after booking)

    • Matching thread

    • Your own sewing machine (optional)

    • The challenge pattern (where applicable)

    • Sewing machines, overlockers and coverstitch machines

    • Cutting equipment

    • Pressing equipment

    • Sewing tools and notions

    • Individual workstation desk

    • Tea, coffee and refreshments

  • We welcome confident beginners, intermediate and advanced home sewists. You must be comfortable following an independent sewing pattern for the pattern challenge.

    For the other challenges you can sew anything you choose, with or without a pattern

  • You are welcome to bring your own sewing machine or you may use one of ours.

  • Yes, you can book one or as many sessions as you wish to compete in.

  • When the timer is up we down tools - Your project will be judged in the state it is in when the timer goes off.

    Finished projects will be assessed by a guest judging panel using a points-based scoring system

    Its all part of the fun

    You could judge out of 10 on things like:

    • Technical difficulty

    • Construction quality

    • Finish

    • Fit (if applicable)

    • Creativity

    • Time management

    • The challenge will be explained before the timer begins.

    • The sewing challenge or pattern will be revealed on the day.

    • Competitors will have a fixed amount of time to complete the challenge.

    • This is a sewing challenge, not a taught workshop.

    • Tuition will not be provided during the event.

    • Members of the Charmingo Sews Academy team will oversee the event but will not provide sewing instruction, technical guidance or assistance with construction.

    • Friendly conversation is encouraged, but each competitor must complete their own work.

  • For each regular Sew-Off:

    • 🥇 1st – £50 Charmingo Sews Academy Gift Voucher

    • 🥈 2nd – £25 Charmingo Sews Academy Gift Voucher

    Grand Finale: – Made by Me

    • 🥇1st – £100 Charmingo Sews Academy Gift Voucher

    • 🥈 2nd – £50 Charmingo Sews Academy Gift Voucher

      **All 1st place winners will receive a framed certificate**

Filming & Photography

The Charmingo Sew-Off will be photographed and filmed throughout the event for use on our website, YouTube channel and social media platforms.

By booking your place, you confirm that you are happy to appear in photographs and video footage used to promote future Sew-Offs and Charmingo Sews Academy.

A Friendly Competition

The Charmingo Sew-Off has been created to celebrate creativity, sewing skills and our fantastic sewing community.

While there are prizes to be won, the aim is to challenge yourself, enjoy the experience, meet fellow sewists and have fun in a supportive environment.

Ready to Take on the Challenge?

If you enjoy sewing, love a challenge and want to experience something completely different, we'd love you to join us.

Book one or as many sessions as you wish to compete in.

Book your place today and see if you have what it takes to become the next Charmingo Sew-Off Champion.

Ignore event times on booking, these are generic an non specific

Book your space