Gown Wars

06/20/2025

🧵✨ The Sewing Trades Are Unraveling — But We Can Stitch It Forward! ✨🧵

In 2020, I launched Gown Wars to celebrate the artistry of sewing. Now, I’m asking for your help to take it to the next level — not just for me, but for the entire sewing trades industry.

Fabric stores are closing. Paper patterns are disappearing. Skilled sewists are retiring with no one to replace them.

This isn’t just about a show. It’s about saving a creative, meaningful, and viable trade before it's lost.

🎯 Goal: Fund our pilot episode and build a movement that revives and modernizes sewing for future generations.

💡 Every donation makes a difference — no matter how small. We’ve created a powerful campaign to bring awareness and action.

🧵 Support the movement: https://gofund.me/f46d2f2d
📢 Share this post. Tag a sewing friend. Let’s keep the thread alive.

Hi, my name is April Jackson — What began as my dream — a sewing… April Jackson needs your support for Help Launch Gown Wars — And Save the Sewing Trades

06/06/2025

📢 Big news: I’m officially launching the Gown Wars Pilot Fundraiser!
A reality competition show celebrating creativity, sewing, and the incredible talent in our communities — born in London, Ontario.

🎥 In 2020, I produced a live version of Gown Wars with every dollar I had. The energy was electric. But just as momentum built, COVID hit — shutting down progress before it could take off.

Now, it’s time. We’re producing a full pilot episode — one that can ignite a movement and revive the sewing industry from the inside out.

This project supports:
🧵 Local creators and fashion artists
🏙️ Film & media jobs in London
📈 Growth for the entire sewing trade — from fabric to fashion schools

Help bring Gown Wars to life — and help revive an industry while doing it.
🎯 Donate. Share. Cheer us on!
🔗https://gofund.me/3e9947fc

07/24/2024

The Gown Wars live event held August 22-23, 2020, at the Lamplighter Inn, London, Ontario.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7alsPH5uTt4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NgSBn6cVj0
Covid threw a monkey wrench into the dream plan, but that was in the past! It is time to resurrect the dream!

How do I envision Gown Wars developing now? Jackson Sewing Academy has a large sewing studio perfect for producing a pilot episode. Taping will span an entire weekend: Friday (team introductions, gown theme presented, materials shopping), Saturday (first 6 out of 10 sewing hours), Sunday (final four sewing hours, finished gowns photo shoot, judging, winner announcement), and possibly Monday. The competition will be captured by a skilled video/audio crew and mastered into a high-quality pilot episode for viewing.

Anything significant requires multiple hands and talents to come to life. Plus, great ideas start as smaller ideas, and Gown Wars is no exception. Jackson Sewing Academy seeks talented individuals and businesses to assist with event production. As a marketing tool, Gown Wars offers local companies an opportunity to promote themselves through this innovative competition. The following list highlights sponsorship opportunities:

Fabric and sewing materials.

Sewing machines and equipment.

Models.

Hair and makeup for models needed on finale day.

Food and refreshments for teams during competing hours are needed.

Set decor, including the host/judges table and finale photo backdrop, is needed.

Hours of production assistants.

Jackson Sewing Academy is seeking creative individuals willing to assist with the following crucial tasks:

Seeking and securing sponsorship for ongoing events.

Individuals will assist with planning decisions such as event gown themes, materials themes, contestant categories, sewing techniques showcased, and event format on the official Planning Committee.

Team contestant casting and judging.

Event budgeting

A competition is only complete with competitors! Each event will require three teams, each consisting of three team-mates who will meet on day one of taping! Gown Wars is casting for individual competitors. Each episode will require nine competitors.

Teams will receive excellent products and prizes with a talented Sponsorship Manager or partnership Manager!

The Gown Wars website is up, and casting is open for the October 25-28 filming. To request sponsorship (monetary or in-kind), enter 'Sponsorship' in the subject line. To volunteer, enter 'Volunteer' in the subject line. To join the official Gown Wars Planning Committee, enter 'Committee' in the subject line. Gown Wars Facebook messenger is also available for communications.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Gown Wars community!

I am enthusiastic and passionate about Gown Wars, a concept with excellent potential. The fact that it originates from London, Ontario, fills me with pride! I dream of taking this event to new heights, and I am excited to share this journey with like-minded creatives. Together, we will undoubtedly catch some stars, making Gown Wars an event to remember!