Sustainable September Sewing 2025
We’re sew excited to announce our Sustainable September Sewing Challenge ft. partnerships with Austin Goodwill & Austin Creative Reuse for TSA’s 2nd Birthday! And you’re invited to join us for a chance to win prizes!
Here’s how the challenge works:
This year we’d like to keep our September Sewing Challenge Sustainable & fun! Of course, if you don’t have any fabric laying around at home, we suggest going to @austincreativereuse for second hand fabrics, notions, interfacing, & pretty much anything you need sewing wise! If you don’t have anything in your closet you’d like to Upcycle, we recommend going to @austingoodwill!
Week 1:
Upcycle a piece you already own but don’t wear anymore! If you don’t have anything in your closet, @austingoodwill is a great place to source something to upcycle!
Week 2:
Make something using a pattern, with fabric you already have. (If you don’t have any, go to @austincreativereuse) & tag them!
Week 3:
Make something for someone else, using materials you already have. If you don’t have materials, you can use @austingoodwill & or @austincreativereuse has plenty of materials.
Tag them!
Week 4:
Make anything you want for yourself!
To Participate & WIN:
Tag @thatssewaustin & use hashtags in each post/week you participate in throughout the month: #thatssewaustin #septembersewingchallenge #thatssewaustinsewingchallenge
If you source materials from @austingoodwill & or @austincreativereuse, tag them!
Must be following @thatssewaustin, (@austingoodwill & @austincreativereuse if sourced) on Instagram!
Repost each design.
Must participate every week to win a prize.
Prizes at the end of the month:
1st Place: Free one month TSA T4 membership!
2nd Place: $100 Goodwill gift card!
3rd Place: $50 Austin Creative Reuse gift card!
Sustainable September Sewing Challenge — Official Rules
1. Sponsor
This contest (“Challenge”) is sponsored by That’s Sew Austin, Austin, Texas. For questions, contact info@thats-sew.com.
2. Eligibility
Open to legal residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry.
Void where prohibited by law.
Employees, interns, studio monitors, teachers, and immediate family members of That’s Sew Austin are not eligible to win.
3. Contest Period
The Challenge begins September 1, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. Central Time and ends September 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
Entries must be submitted and publicly viewable on Instagram by the end date to be eligible.
4. How to Enter
To participate, entrants must:
Post a sewing project each week during September 2025 on Instagram.
Tag @thatssewaustin and use the hashtags:
#thatssewaustin
#septembersewingchallenge
#thatssewaustinsewingchallenge
If materials are sourced from Austin Goodwill or Austin Creative Reuse, tag them as well (optional, but encouraged).
Complete all four weekly prompts to remain eligible for prizes.
⚠️ No Purchase Necessary.
Buying Will Not Help You Win. Your chances of winning without making a purchase are the same as the chances of someone who purchases something. It is illegal to give any advantage to buyers in a contest.
5. Prizes
First Place: One month T4 Membership at That’s Sew Austin (Retail Value $210).
Second Place: $100 Goodwill Gift Card.
Third Place: $50 Austin Creative Reuse Gift Card.
Prizes are non-transferable and may not be substituted. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if necessary.
6. Winner Selection & Judging Criteria
This is a contest of skill. Winners will not be selected at random.
A panel of judges selected by That’s Sew Austin (including TSA instructors and guest sewing experts) will evaluate eligible entries.
Judging Criteria:
Creativity & Originality (30%) – unique design, fresh interpretation, and innovative use of materials.
Sustainability Efforts (40%) – use of thrifted, recycled, or repurposed textiles.
Craftsmanship & Quality (20%) – technical execution, finishing, and sewing techniques.
Challenge Fit (10%) – adherence to weekly prompts and overall theme.
The decisions of the judges are final and binding.
Odds of winning depend on the number and quality of eligible entries received.
7. Winner Notification
Winners will be announced on or about October 5, 2025, via our newsletter, Instagram @thatssewaustin, and direct message.
Winners must respond within 7 days to claim their prize. If a winner cannot be contacted, fails to respond, or is deemed ineligible, the prize may be forfeited and awarded to the next highest-scoring entrant.
8. Winner List
For a list of winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
That’s Sew Austin – Sustainable September Challenge, [Mailing Address], Austin, TX
Requests must be received by December 31, 2025.
9. Taxes
Winners are solely responsible for any federal, state, or local taxes associated with prize acceptance.
If any prize awarded exceeds $600, Sponsor will issue an IRS Form 1099-MISC.
10. Privacy
Personal information collected will be used solely for the administration of this contest.
Entrants may opt-in to receive additional communications, but consent is not required to enter or win.
11. General Conditions
Entries must comply with Instagram’s terms of service and community guidelines.
Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any entrant for tampering, rule violations, or inappropriate content.
Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the contest if unforeseen circumstances arise.
By participating, entrants agree to release and hold harmless That’s Sew Austin, Instagram, and prize partners from any liability related to participation or prize use.
This contest is governed by the laws of the State of Texas and the United States.
12. Instagram Disclaimer
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Instagram. By entering, entrants release Instagram from any responsibility related to the contest.