The 2019 handmade dress swap is now open for applications!



Hooray, I am now taking applications for this years swap! Applications will be open til 2nd APRIL 2019 which is 3 weeks away! That's not a lot of time, so I recommend getting your applications in now so you don't forget.

PLEASE note: Just like last year(and any future years) there is a small participating fee of $10 to help cover my time doing all the organising. Thankyou to everyone who agreed that this was a good idea and to everyone who took part last year! I love this swap so don't want it to end, but it takes me hours and hours to match partners up, fix any issues, find missing dresses etc!
You will need to provide your receipt number on the application form, so if you can transfer the $10 to my bank or PayPal which is: Bank:Tarryn Carr
BSB 083251
ACC 452241657

Paypal:handmadedressswap@gmail.com

Thanks so much!




So gather your lovely friends and tell them about this! The more people sewing and swapping handmade dresses, the happier the world will be. And lets not forget, we will be making and wearing ethically made dresses which I'm very passionate about!

I recommend op shopping for pretty fabrics and patterns now, or give nan a ring and book in a sewing practice day with her!

The 2018 gallery is now up so have a look at just some of the dresses swapped last year! You may end up with one of those talented ladies as your partner this year!

Any questions, feel free to contact me via email or Instagram and we can chat!

Please read over the rules and how this swap works before sending your application in!

Oh and don't forget, if you are not a sewer you can still take part!




Buy Handmade

If you are taking part in this swap, but are choosing to buy the dress then here are some favourite handmade and independent makers that I know of! Ethically and beautifully made, maybe you will find one here? I'd love to know where you buy yours from, so please email me so I can add their details to this list!


Eat Me Do
The Sheet Shop

Forests and Things

Shop Hazelnut

The Raisin Did It

Toast Clothing

Alice Nightingale

Lauren Ellen Handmade & Co.

Rummage Style

Small Forest Shop

Fabled and True

Naughty Shorts

Lofty Frocks

Maggie Molloy

Pretty Parcel 

Gertrude Made

Dresses made in previous years

Some of the dresses from the 2018 swap:















2017










2016

























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Just some of the dresses from the 2015 swap:















 




Application Form

Please copy and paste these questions into an email and send them answered to me before applications close.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 2nd APRIL 2019

PLEASE READ HOW IT WORKS AND THE RULES FIRST.

********************************************************************************
APPLICATION FORM
*Name:
*Blog or IG:
*Email:
*Country:
*Payment receipt number:
*Postal address:
*Would you prefer shipping local or do you like the idea of swapping internationally?
*Will you be making or buying your dress?
*Will you be making to suit your partners size?
*Will you need a partner your size?
*What is your size? Please take the time to measure yourself. Sizes vary across the world.
BUST CM:
WAIST CM:
HIPS CM:
HEIGHT CM:
*What colours do you love wearing?
*What length do you prefer?
*What really needs to be avoided? Example: You avoid wearing fluro and really hate your knees being on display!?
*Although this is about the maker and their design and skills, if there is a style you just love, what is it?
*Or is there a style you avoid?
*Anything else you would like to ask or tell your partner?

I WILL GIVE YOU THE DUE DATE WHEN I SEND YOU YOUR PARTNERS DETAILS.

Please get in touch with your partner. You never know if circumstances have changed since they filled out the form.

It is up to the two of you how much more info you exchange. You may share exactly what patterns and fabrics you are choosing or you may leave it a secret. But please remember, its not about you demanding something, but looking forward to seeing what has been created for you.

********************************************************************************

If there is anything missing or if you have any questions about the application form, please email me before submitting yours. Once I've received it, you're in!

Contact

Please feel free to contact me about anything.

Email:
handmadedressswap@gmail.com

Instagram:
@handmadedressswap



The rules

These aren't really rules, but following the below advice, will result in a much easier and enjoyable process and the swap can be exactly how its intended to be!

Once you return the application form, that's a guarantee you are in. So read the below rules and read the application form a couple of times before deciding. Unless life gets pretty crappy(and please do contact me if it does), please do not pull out of the swap. Ok, the rules:

1. You promise to send a dress to your partner. Promise!
2. You are happy to send overseas- I will try match people up in the same country, but if you apply, I know you are happy if I cannot do this.
3.You will stay in contact with your partner and check emails/Facebook/instagram regularly.
4. You will take a photo of the finished product and take a photo of the dress you receive and email them to me.
5. If you cannot sew, you will send a handmade dress from a local, independent maker. Think handmade markets, etsy, instagram(see my favourites).
6. You are happy to receive a handmade dress that has been BOUGHT.
7. You will contact me and let me know if life has taken a sour turn and you just cannot take part anymore. But please try, as your partner will miss out.
8. You understand life can get nasty sometimes, so if your partner ends up having to quit, that's ok! You will sign up next year again.
9. You will not judge yourself.
10. You will not judge the dress you receive.
11. If you spend lots of money on materials, its your choice, and your partner does not need to do the same.
12. You will fill out your application form as best you can and contact me if you have any questions/suggestions! Please send it back to me asap.
13. Please do not rely only on the info on the application form to make your dress. Contact and chat to your partner. 
14. You will have your dress in the mail no later than the due date.
15. Anything you think of that I've not covered, please contact me.
16. Please share the love. Let people you know about this and invite others to be part of it!
17. Happy Sewing!

How it works

Ok. So this is how the dress swap works.

You make a dress for someone and they make one for you. Simple. No money is exchanged to each other. $10 is all you pay to me for admin costs. You pay for the materials used. I highly recommend op shopping for materials as its not only cheap but you can find AMAZING vintage fabrics which can make the simplest of dresses into absolute stunners! You also pay for postage.

I team you up with someone else based on location and whether you can sew any size or need a partner your size! All this information will be collected in the application form.

The dress swap is about celebrating women, sewing, giving and this online community. There are no expectations. You will not be receiving perfect factory made garments. We are talking about lounge room floor, learn as you go dresses. Ethical.

You may be a professional seamstress, or are still learning, it doesn't matter. If you take part in this, its because you love the idea of making a dress for someone, and someone making a dress for you. You don't judge or count how many hours you spent compared to them. Expect a loose thread. You can fix it!

Maybe even see this as a lovely opportunity to call your nan, and ask her to help you make your dress.

This swap is not about doubting your ability. If you have the skill to sew two pieces together and make a simple A-line dress, then hooray! If you are going to get the patterns and zips and buttons and trims, then hooray! It's all welcome!

And...if this is something you are in love with but cant even spell sow, then your option is to purchase a handmade dress from a local, independent maker. There are so many wonderful individuals making dresses and selling them to make a living. You can buy one, and then send that as your contribution. Up to you. You can find my personal favourites here.

You will have two months to make your dress. It needs to be sent in those two months. You can take a day, or take two months. Up to you.



Sound like you want to be part of this? Read the rules then submit the application form!

About

The handmade dress swap was an idea created out of a need to sew and a love of wearing handmade. With the joy that comes with giving and receiving happy mail(anything that is not a bill and contains pretty things), the handmade dress swap was born! Pretty much, the more people sewing, the happier the world will be!

If you love to sew, wear handmade and send and receive happy mail then this is for you.

Make a dress for someone, somewhere in the world, and in return, they will make one for you. No money is exchanged. Its about celebrating the art of sewing, women, giving and community.

Any skill level. Any design. Any body!

Submit the application form if you are on board! yay!