Single Pattern Contest

Single Pattern Contest Administrator Kevin Roche writes:

Greetings! The Single Pattern Contest has been a tradition at Norwescon for years, but the competition has a longer history in costume/cosplay fandom. As the person who invented the contest (for Costume-Con 12 in 1994), I’m thrilled to have been asked to introduce it to the larger Worldcon audience.

What is the Single Pattern Contest?

The concept is fairly simple:

1. The contest coordinator selects one or two readily available sewing patterns that lend themselves to embellishment or modification and then announces those patterns well in advance of the event.
2. Contestants each select one of the patterns and make up the garment, embellishing and/or modifying the design as their artistic vision suggests.
3. Judging takes place at a time and place as part of the hosting event program.
4. Results are announced with a mixture of hoopla and panache.

Judging and photography of entries will take place on Thursday from 9–11:30 a.m., and the photographs will be shown during the judging interval (half-time) at the masquerade. If you suffer from stage fright, there is no on-stage component to this competition, so worry not!

There is also a virtual entry option for any members with at least a virtual attending membership who are not attending the convention in person.

Rules

The rules are relatively simple:

1. Garments must be constructed using one (or more) of the designated patterns. Because someone asked: yes, an ensemble combining the two main pattern options is allowed.
2. The finished garment must be recognizable as derived from the selected pattern.
   1. It may be modified in details such as length of hem and sleeves and front opening, as long as the original pattern pieces can still be recognized.
   2. The pattern may be altered in size as long as the overall shape of the joined pieces is not changed. If you are unsure about a specific modification you would like to make, please contact the contest director in advance for a decision.
3. You must be a virtual attending or attending member of Seattle Worldcon 2025 to enter the contest.
4. You may use any (and we do mean any*) materials to make your garment and embellish it in any way you desire. This means such things as quilting, embroidery, painting, applique, cutwork, ribbonwork, and so forth are all allowable, as are any other embellishments you can envision.
   *Note that noisome, toxic, and hazardous materials are not allowed in the convention center. The “No Peanut Butter” rule still applies to in-person entries even though this is not an on-stage competition.
5. Entries must be actual constructed garments (not merely renderings). In line with rule 2b, they may be made to fit yourself, a chosen model, a pet, plush toy, or doll
6. Remember that the convention is PG-13. Please keep this in mind. We do reserve the right to disqualify any entry that we deem objectionable. The ruling of the contest director is final and not subject to appeal.
7. Use of your name(s) and likeness(es): By submitting entries to this competition you are agreeing to your garment(s) being photographed and videotaped by the conference and the disseminations of these records to the membership, and to the use of your (and your models’) name and likeness in those displays. All rights to your creations revert to you after the conference.
8. In-person Entry: Judging and photography will take place Thursday, August 14, from 9–11:30 a.m. Bring your garments with you to the judging session.
   1. You may bring a model with you to wear the garment (they must also be a convention member), model it yourself, or for miniature or toy-sized garments, an appropriate object on which to show the garment. Note that only service animals are allowed in convention areas.
   2. Garments may also be presented off-body (no model).
   3. In the event a garment creator has a schedule conflict with the judging session, they may send a model to present on their behalf, as long as the model is a member of the convention and the actual creator is clearly identified.
9. Virtual Entry: if you have a Seattle Worldcon membership but are not attending in person, you may submit a virtual entry to the SPC no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, August 11 thusly:
   1. Send 3 photographs of the completed garment to singlepatterncontest@seattlein2025.org:
      1. Front view of completed garment;
      2. Back view of completed garment; and
      3. View of garment being modeled by a person/mannequin/pet/toy, as appropriate.
   2. Be sure to include your name as you wish it announced, any title for your garment, and the name(s) of any persons in the photos modeling the garment.
   3. Rule 5 still applies to virtual entries; photos must be of actual constructed garments, not drawings or renderings.
10. Announcement of Results: A slide show of garment entries will be presented during the Seattle Worldcon Masquerade on Friday, August 15, and the judging results announced that evening before the masquerade awards are presented.
    Please note that results will be announced, but not physically presented to award winners on stage.
11. Remember to have fun with this! Thinking outside the box is encouraged!

Online Channel for the Single Pattern Contest

We intend to establish an online channel in the convention Discord for questions and discussion of the Single Pattern Contest.

Pattern Options for the Seattle Worldcon 2025 Single Pattern Contest

Rather than zero in on two specific commercial patterns, my assistant Debbie and I have selected two garment styles we think are in keeping with this Worldcon’s retrofuturism:

• a vintage-style bowling shirt,
• and a 1960s-style slip or sheath dress.

In some years, a pattern selected for a single pattern contest has gone out of print or been difficult to locate, so we think specifying a garment style rather than specific pattern number will avoid that difficulty. Fear not, however; we have compiled a list of suggested patterns for each garment. We will admit to a favorite for each, which is indicated in bold with an asterisk, but any pattern in keeping with the basic lines of these garments will qualify.

Kevin Roche, SPC Coordinator
Debbie Bretschneider, Assistant