Jo-Ann Announces Winners for Sew Unique National Sewing Month Contest

50’s-inspired dress made of mesh netting, red burlap and speaker fabric earns $1,000 Grand Prize

HUDSON, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, the leading fabric and craft specialty retailer in America, is excited to announce the winners of the 2012 Sew Unique National Sewing Month Contest:

“We were in awe of the creativity and craftsmanship that the entrants demonstrated after they were given such a unique task. It was hard for our judges to narrow the field to 20 finalists and even harder for them to choose a winner”

Grand Prize: Rachel Brookman of Rocky Hill, Conn. | $1,000
First Runner-up: Eva Zapata of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. | $500
Second Runner-up: Kristi Hofberger of Pensacola, Fla. | $250

The contest, hosted by Project Runway’s Christopher Straub, asked entrants to rely on their creativity to create sewn projects using utility fabrics. Straub provided tips and inspiration along the way through a five-part web series on YouTube: http://bit.ly/StraubPL

More than 500 entries were submitted during the month of September and ranged from fantastical to ultra-modern. After two rounds of judging, the top 20 entries were shipped to Jo-Ann headquarters for final judging by a panel of sewing experts.

After the final round of judging, Ms. Brookman received the top honor. To earn the $1,000 Grand Prize, she created a “50’s-inspired wiggle with some edge” out of mesh netting, red burlap and speaker fabric. She incorporated feathers, burlap and speaker fabric to create a mock pill box hat to finish the look.

Ms. Zapata earned First Runner-up honors with the custom vinyl camera bag she had created for a friend. The Second Runner-up, Ms. Hofberger, created a mermaid-style wedding gown using waffle weave, voile and sport nylon.

“We were in awe of the creativity and craftsmanship that the entrants demonstrated after they were given such a unique task. It was hard for our judges to narrow the field to 20 finalists and even harder for them to choose a winner,” said Nicole Long, manager of inspiration for Jo-Ann. “We were so impressed and inspired by the finalists that we’ve decided to feature a selection of them in the Jo-Ann app for iPad’s Idea Center.”

To download the Jo-Ann app for iPad, search for “Jo-Ann” in the app store. Customers can find all of the products and inspiration they need for any project at recently mobile-optimized Joann.com.

About Jo-Ann Stores, Inc.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, the nation’s largest fabric and craft retailer with locations in 49 states, was founded in 1943 as a single retail store. Today, approximately 790 Jo-Ann stores across the country provide consumers all the fabrics, craft supplies and inspiration they need, conveniently under one roof. For additional information, visit Joann.com. To make creative connections, visit Joann.com/community.