Your 2025 Swish challenge journey starts here!
Taking inspiration from The Swish book, we've come up with lots of exciting new challenges to get you sewing, upcycling and thrifting. Saving the planet has never been more fun!
Want to keep sewing? New for '25 Welcome to The Swish Squad! Learn new skills, flex your fashion flair, and enjoy BONUS CHALLENGES for the thrill of seeing your name published in the Swish sequel.
Your 2025 Swish challenge journey starts here!
Taking inspiration from The Swish book, we've come up with lots of exciting new challenges to get you sewing, upcycling and thrifting. Saving the planet has never been more fun!
Want to keep sewing? New for '25 Welcome to The Swish Squad! Learn new skills, flex your fashion flair, and enjoy BONUS CHALLENGES for the thrill of seeing your name published in the Swish sequel.
Readers’ Competition
Girlguiding members can answer 3 easy questions, based on reading The Swish book, to be entered into a monthly draw. The prize is a Sustainable Fashionista Kit (a cute upcycling bundle of sew-on motifs, buttons and ribbons).
Readers’ Competition
Girlguiding members can answer 3 easy questions, based on reading The Swish book, to be entered into a monthly draw. The prize is a Sustainable Fashionista Kit (a cute upcycling bundle of sew-on motifs, buttons and ribbons).
PART ONE: CAPTURE YOUR UNIQUE, SUSTAINABLE STYLE
Find out about your own personal sense of style.
Challenge: Create your dream Winter Wonderland ball outfit
Use this template to design a ball outfit that is beautifully you! Sketch your dream gown – or a sleek suit – then style it on your mannequin using recycled fabric scraps; bits of felt; ribbons, tiny buttons or glitter. You can use metallic pens for jewellery touches! You can find some great kit for this, and other challenges, in the Hobbycraft Upcycling Kit.
Bonus challenge: Create a beautiful ballroom
Want to keep designing? From an old shoebox or cereal packet, create a ballroom to go with your outfit.
Decorate it with recycled fabric scraps or wrapping paper and a tinfoil disco ball.
Create a ball scene using Swish cut-out dolls and designs (printable paper doll and gown templates can be downloaded here).
PART ONE: CAPTURE YOUR UNIQUE, SUSTAINABLE STYLE
Find out about your own personal sense of style.
Challenge: Create your dream Winter Wonderland ball outfit
Use this template to design a ball outfit that is beautifully you! Sketch your dream gown – or a sleek suit – then style it on your mannequin using recycled fabric scraps; bits of felt; ribbons, tiny buttons or glitter. You can use metallic pens for jewellery touches! You can find some great kit for this, and other challenges, in the Hobbycraft Upcycling Kit.
Bonus challenge: Create a beautiful ballroom
Want to keep designing? From an old shoebox or cereal packet, create a ballroom to go with your outfit.
Decorate it with recycled fabric scraps or wrapping paper and a tinfoil disco ball.
Create a ball scene using Swish cut-out dolls and designs (printable paper doll and gown templates can be downloaded here).
PART TWO: RE-STYLE
Most of us only use 50% of our wardrobe, but clothes just need a little love to come alive again. If you’re bored of something, don’t reject it - restyle it!
Challenge: Old meets new (choose one of the 2 challenges)
Pair your most and least worn items together -
1. Dig out the item in your wardrobe you wear least; pair it with the item you currently wear most often. Have you got yourself a whole new outfit? Share pics with your unit (either selfies or sketches).
2. Create accessories to wear with an unloved item of clothing -
Dig out an item you’ve grown tired of. Try to remember what you first loved about it – use this as an inspiration to design a range of accessories to make your item MUST-WEAR again (eg jewellery, hairbands, hats, shoes, bags).
Bonus challenge: Throw a ‘never-worn’ party
Everyone brings along an outfit from home which they’ve never worn or a favourite item they don’t get much chance to show off (this could be a party top; a retro frock that a parent or carer wore to their old prom; a crazy hat, or just an impractical pair of shoes).
In the safe space of their unit meeting, members can throw a wild and wonderful party/fashion show in their unforgettable outfits!
Click here to download the Never-worn party winners template
PART TWO: RE-STYLE
Most of us only use 50% of our wardrobe, but clothes just need a little love to come alive again. If you’re bored of something, don’t reject it - restyle it!
Challenge: Old meets new (choose one of the 2 challenges)
Pair your most and least worn items together -
1. Dig out the item in your wardrobe you wear least; pair it with the item you currently wear most often. Have you got yourself a whole new outfit? Share pics with your unit (either selfies or sketches).
2. Create accessories to wear with an unloved item of clothing -
Dig out an item you’ve grown tired of. Try to remember what you first loved about it – use this as an inspiration to design a range of accessories to make your item MUST-WEAR again (eg jewellery, hairbands, hats, shoes, bags).
Bonus challenge: Throw a ‘never-worn’ party
Everyone brings along an outfit from home which they’ve never worn or a favourite item they don’t get much chance to show off (this could be a party top; a retro frock that a parent or carer wore to their old prom; a crazy hat, or just an impractical pair of shoes).
In the safe space of their unit meeting, members can throw a wild and wonderful party/fashion show in their unforgettable outfits!
Click here to download the Never-worn party winners template
PART THREE: RE-WORK
Upcycling is a fun way to turn old clothes into something ‘new’ and unique to you. By re-working clothes, you get to create your identity and explore your creativity without fear of judgement. When you’re rescuing clothes destined for the landfill, there is no such thing as ‘wrong’.
Did you know? Upcycling is a way to develop sewing skills and crafting habits that boost mental health and self-confidence.
Challenge: Scrap-tastic
Using your imagination – and upcycling skills - turn a discarded piece of clothing into a totally different object - for example, a stuffed toy, bucket hat, backpack, hairband. Check out the 'Sewing Vids and Tips' page on our website here for inspo! Take a before and after picture of your item!
Bonus challenge: Sentimental Sewing Bee
Everyone brings in a much-loved item which they’ve outgrown (or is falling apart). Cut up into triangles, and sew a gorgeous stretch of bunting together with your unit.
How long a bunting can you make? BONUS COMPETITION HERE
Affix white labels to the back of each bunting triangle, so young members can write their name, and where the fabric came from, (for example, ‘Kirstie, my baby frock!’).
You can now use this bunting as a sustainable souvenir of your Swish challenge, to decorate your unit meeting halls, or to take on unit camps.
For tips on how to make bunting, check out this handy Hobbycraft guide How to Sew Bunting
PART THREE: RE-WORK
Upcycling is a fun way to turn old clothes into something ‘new’ and unique to you. By re-working clothes, you get to create your identity and explore your creativity without fear of judgement. When you’re rescuing clothes destined for the landfill, there is no such thing as ‘wrong’.
Did you know? Upcycling is a way to develop sewing skills and crafting habits that boost mental health and self-confidence.
Challenge: Scrap-tastic
Using your imagination – and upcycling skills - turn a discarded piece of clothing into a totally different object - for example, a stuffed toy, bucket hat, backpack, hairband.
Check out the 'Sewing Vids and Tips' page on our website here for inspo!
Take a before and after picture of your item!
Bonus challenge: Sentimental Sewing Bee
Everyone brings in a much-loved item which they’ve outgrown (or is falling apart). Cut up into triangles, and sew a gorgeous stretch of bunting together with your unit.
How long a bunting can you make? BONUS COMPETITION HERE
Affix white labels to the back of each bunting triangle, so young members can write their name, and where the fabric came from, (for example, ‘Kirstie, my baby frock!’).
You can now use this bunting as a sustainable souvenir of your Swish challenge, to decorate your unit meeting halls, or to take on unit camps.
For tips on how to make bunting, check out this handy Hobbycraft guide How to Sew Bunting
PART FOUR: RESEARCH. BECOME A MINI-ACTIVIST
These can be done at a unit meeting or at home.
Challenge: Make your own slogan top
Check our slogans page. Use as inspiration, or download our templates here to cut out slogan stencils. Grab a preloved t-shirt or top, and turn it into your very own slogan top.
Use fabric pens or embroider your words (for example, ‘fight fast fashion’). Alternatively, create a sustainable banner together - to hang on your meeting hall wall.
PART FOUR: RESEARCH. BECOME A MINI-ACTIVIST
These can be done at a unit meeting or at home.
Challenge: Make your own slogan top
Check out our slogans page. Use as inspiration, or download our templates here to cut out slogan stencils.
Grab a preloved t-shirt or top, and turn it into your very own slogan top.
Use fabric pens or embroider your words (for example, ‘fight fast fashion’).
Alternatively, create a sustainable banner together - to hang on your meeting hall wall.
PART FIVE: RE-GIFT OR DONATE
Sustainable fashion is all about being kind to the planet - and each other.
Challenge: Create a 'fashion legacy' list
List your favourite five items in your wardrobe. Now try to imagine a world where you’ve outgrown them or grown tired of them. Commit to how you will turn each into a legacy piece.
Will you: Donate to a charity shop? Pass on as a gift? Upcycle?
PART FIVE: RE-GIFT OR DONATE
Sustainable fashion is all about being kind to the planet - and each other.
Challenge: Create a 'fashion legacy' list
List your favourite five items in your wardrobe.
Now try to imagine a world where you’ve outgrown them or grown tired of them. Commit to how you will turn each into a legacy piece.
Will you: Donate to a charity shop? Pass on as a gift? Upcycle?
PART SIX: CHALLENGE FINALE - FEEL-GOOD FASHION EVENT
The Swish challenge event concludes with a feel-good fashion catwalk on or around Global Recycling Day on Monday 18 March 2025 or Earth Day on 22 April 2025. Don’t forget to join the closed Facebook Group (search ‘GGSWExTheSwish’ and enter the password ‘TheSwish’) to see what other units get up to and to share your units creations.
Challenge: Choreograph your runway routine
Go solo, pair up or get yourself into a group. Together, devise a high-energy dance routine or synchronised catwalk moves. Perform in your best upcycled gear.
Go solo, pair up or get yourself into a group. Together, devise a high-energy dance routine or synchronised catwalk moves. Perform in your best upcycled gear.
Before the sleepover, you can have fun making eye masks together! Use recycled fabric if you can, and follow this ‘how-to’ guide from Hobbycraft - How to Make a Sleep Mask
Bonus challenge: The Great Swish Sleepover
Have a unit sleepover after your catwalk shows. Grab a hot chocolate and share your favourite part of the challenge with your unit.
PART SIX: CHALLENGE FINALE - FEEL-GOOD FASHION EVENT
The Swish challenge event concludes with a feel-good fashion catwalk on or around Global Recycling Day on Monday 18 March 2025 or Earth Day on 22 April 2025. Don’t forget to join the closed Facebook Group (search ‘GGSWExTheSwish’ and enter the password ‘TheSwish’) to see what other units get up to and to share your units creations.
Challenge: Choreograph your runway routine
Go solo, pair up or get yourself into a group. Together, devise a high-energy dance routine or synchronised catwalk moves. Perform in your best upcycled gear.
Before the sleepover, you can have fun making eye masks together! Use recycled fabric if you can, and follow this ‘how-to’ guide from Hobbycraft - How to Make a Sleep Mask
Bonus challenge: The Great Swish Sleepover
Have a unit sleepover after your catwalk shows.
Grab a hot chocolate and share your favourite part of the challenge with your unit.
"The Swish is properly interesting. A teen novel about creativity, confidence and upcycling clothes. About time!" Dawn French
" Great book – a lovely read for teens"
LORRAINE CANDY, SUNDAY TIMES bestseller and parenting expert
"‘Geek Girl’ meets the ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’! Ideal book to get your teenagers inspired about sustainable fashion."
" Laugh-out loud funny"
SOPHIA, 13
" The Swish is amazing. From page one, I loved it"
LOLA, 12
" Funny and truthful. It shows what girls are made of!"
FLORENCE, 14
" Amazing. Kat's story shows so much about self-confidence, and never to give up!"
CHLOE, 15
"The Swish is properly interesting. A teen novel about creativity, confidence and upcycling clothes. About time!"
Dawn French
" Great book – a lovely read for teens"
LORRAINE CANDY, SUNDAY TIMES bestseller and parenting expert
"‘Geek Girl’ meets the ‘The Great British Sewing Bee’! Ideal book to get your teenagers off their phones/screens & inspired about sustainable fashion."
" Laugh-out loud funny"
SOPHIA, 13
" The Swish is amazing. From page one, I loved it"
LOLA, 12
" Funny and truthful. It shows what girls are made of!"
FLORENCE, 14
" Amazing. Kat's story shows so much about self-confidence, and never to give up"
CHLOE, 15
LISTEN HERE
