SPRING TOP WEEK (you know you want to)!

I'm getting so excited about sewing tops for spring! Skirts I can't get as excited about; as a toddler-mama I really just wear the same pair of jeans almost every day (gross, but who are we kidding?). Dresses are kind-of the same...I've had a couple of windy days at the playground that were touch and go, although I'm softening a little to the idea of wearing them as I see lots of comfy/flowy/casual ones around.

: : My picks so far for potential tops. Which one should I start with? :

So I've got my fabrics picked out for about 8 tops; realistically my goal is to make 5, one for every weekday of my upcoming Spring Top Week (April 27-May 1). The plan is that it will be a showcase week here on the blog of the tops I made, pictures of your tops, and links to your blogs, with a vote at the end of the week for best top.

I would love it if you would join me; maybe this can be a challenge for you if you are new to sewing to make just one for yourself? Maybe you've had a yard of fabric sitting around for eons and need someone to give you a kick in the butt? Maybe you bought a pattern and never had the time to make it? Maybe you want to take the full challenge and make one for every day? Whatever your motivation, this week is about being selfish and sewing for yourself for a change and inspiring the rest of us in the process. Yay! So much fun...

DATE: April 27- May 1
(yes, yes, the date has been moved back yet again, but it's for a reason that I can't completely divulge quite yet. I will say it involves a free spring top tutorial)

HOW YOU CAN JOIN THE FUN:
1. Make a top for spring (jacket, blouse, shirt, tunic, etc)
2. Post one picture of your top to the Spring Top Week Sewalong Flickr Pool. Include your first name or handle in the picture title.
3. Send an email to me with a small copy of the picture (no bigger than 800 px wide/tall please) and if applicable, a link to your blog entry which features it. If you want to have your top featured on Made By Rae, I must get this by 8 pm EST the night before you want it posted. I will post for 5 days (April 27, 28, 29, 30, May 1)
4. Put a Spring Top Week button on your blog (optional)!

Here are some things you might be wondering:

Q: Do I have to make the top during that week?
A: No, you can start now (but it should be something you've made this spring); I'm just setting that week as a deadline to give myself a goal

Q: Can I make a children's top for Spring Top Week?
A: Not unless you are a child

Q: Can I make a men's top for Spring Top Week?
A: Sure, let's keep it to adult tops, though

Q: Will there be a contest with prizes?
A: If we have at least 20 outside entries I will set up a vote or elect a panel of judges to pick a winner (or winners?) at the end of the week (I will not enter that contest).

Q: What is the prize, please?
A: The joy of knowing you won, the inspiration of seeing what everyone else is sewing, and some small prize...(truth be told I'm still working on that; maybe a free PDF sewing pattern that's not already free on my blog or other some fun little gifty thing). Suggestions here are appreciated.

Q: If I make more than 5 tops, can I still post them to the pool?
A: Yes, but you will get 5 entries max in the vote so I'll ask you to pick your 5 favorite.

Q: Does the top have to be my own design?
A: No, it can be any pattern or your own design; please share the pattern name and number with us on your blog or Flickr post if is a purchased one.

Here's the button for you to use on your blog if you'd like:

Other questions? Post them to comments. Now I just have to decide where to start....Happy Sewing!