Designer INFORMATION
CREATE-A-THON DESIGNER GUIDE
Everything you need to know before, during and after your 48-hour creative adventure. ✂️🧵✨
We can't wait to create with you!
The Fashion Lab Sedona Create-a-thon is a collaborative community experience bringing designers, artists and creative people together to meet, create, experiment, learn from one another and have fun.
Bookmark this page! It's your go-to place for Create-a-thon information.
📍 WHEN & WHERE
Friday, October 2 – Sunday, October 4, 2026
Ultimate Light Mission
2115 Mountain Rd
Sedona, AZ 86336
Friday
6 PM — Create-a-thon begins!
Arrive, check in, find your workspace, get settled and meet your fellow designers.
Saturday
Create all day!
Come and go as you need throughout the weekend.
Sunday
3 PM — REQUIRED DESIGNER CHECK-IN
All designers must be present with their completed work for judging and Fashion Show registration.
Cleanup & load-out: 4-6PM
✂️ WHAT TO BRING
Bring the tools and supplies you enjoy working with.
Your Creative Toolkit
Consider bringing:
Sewing machine
Serger
Machine power cords and pedals
Scissors
Seam ripper
Tape measure
Pins and needles
Thread
Marking tools
Glue gun
Specialty tools you like to use
Any other supplies particular to your design
Labeling your personal tools and equipment with your name is a great idea.
Materials to Transform
Bring:
Recycled clothing
Fabrics
Trims
Embellishments
Accessories
Interesting materials you've been saving
Anything else you'd love to give a new life
⚠️ WHAT NOT TO BRING
🐾 Please leave pets and children at home.
Irons, glue guns, sewing machines, extension cords, and electrical connections will be in use throughout the event.
✨ Please don’t bring loose glitter.
Attached embellishments such as sequins, beads, and metallic fabrics are welcome.
💫
🧵 WHAT WE'LL HAVE FOR YOU
Fashion Lab will have shared resources available to help keep everyone creating.
[FINALIZE LIST]
Possible shared resources include:
Sewing machines
Sergers / overlock machines
Irons and ironing boards
Dress forms
Hot cutter
Grommets and hardware
Glue guns
Basic sewing supplies
Shared tools
Donated clothing and materials
Our Create-a-thon Support Squad will also be there to answer questions, help you locate equipment and supplies, and troubleshoot when something isn't cooperating.
♻️ EXPLORE THE UPCYCLE TREASURE TROVE
We'll have a collection of donated:
Clothing • Fabrics • Textures • Trims • Accessories • Creative Finds
Explore! Experiment! Find something that sparks an idea.
These materials have been donated for everyone to use during the Create-a-thon, so please choose items you genuinely think you'll incorporate into your current designs rather than taking materials home for future projects.
Take what inspires you. Use what you take. Share the rest. 💜
Changed your mind about something you picked up? Simply return it so another designer can discover it.
🏆 SUSTAINABLE FASHION DESIGN AWARD — OPTIONAL
Want to put your creations in the running for an award? You can!
Entering the competition is optional. You are welcome to participate in the Create-a-thon and Fashion Show simply for the experience of creating, collaborating and sharing your work on the runway.
Entering the Competition
To be considered for the Sustainable Fashion Design Award, designers may present one or two looks created during the Create-a-thon on the runway at the Fashion Show on October 10.
You do not have to create two looks to compete.
One great look is enough! ✨
🏆 $5,000 Sustainable Fashion Design Award
The award includes:
$4,000 in courses and mentorship from FABRIC Incubator
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit ecosystem for fashion entrepreneurs providing connections, guidance, tools, opportunities and a roadmap for domestic small-batch production.
+ $1,000 cash award from Fashion Lab Sedona
Sunday — Have Your Looks Ready
⏰ Sunday, October 4 at 3 PM
Designers entering the competition must have their completed look(s) ready and be present for judging and Fashion Show registration.
Judging Criteria
We'll let you know what the judges will be looking for so you can understand how competition entries will be evaluated.
🤝 And There's Another Way to Win!
Fashion Lab is about more than what you create—it's also about how we create together.
We'll also be recognizing our:
🏆 #1 Team Player
So share an idea. Lend a hand. Cheer someone on. Help untangle a thread emergency. 💜
Not Interested in Competing?
That's absolutely fine!
The competition is just one part of the Fashion Lab experience. You can participate in the Create-a-thon, create your runway look(s), meet other creative people, learn, experiment and enjoy seeing your work come to life on the runway without entering the Sustainable Fashion Design competition.
Competition is optional. Creativity and community are for everyone. ✂️🧵✨
👗 YOUR RUNWAY LOOKS
You may create one or two outfits for the Fashion Show.
Two is not better than one.
You can create one great piece and still be eligible for the Sustainable Fashion Lab Scholarship.
Focus on creating something you're excited to send down the runway.
💃 MODELS
Each of your runway looks will need its own model because your designs will walk together during the Fashion Show.
You may:
Model one of your own creations
Invite friends or people you already know
Choose from Fashion Lab's pool of available models
Don't have a model yet?
No worries! Fashion Lab is holding a Model Call to create a pool of models that participating designers can choose from.
👉https://www.fashionlabsedona.com/model
We'll provide additional information about connecting designers with available models as we get closer.
🥤 FOOD, DRINKS & BREAKS
Snacks will be provided on Saturday and Sunday
Meals are not provided, so please plan to bring your own meals, have food delivered, or head out for a meal when you need a break.
You're also welcome to bring additional snacks, drinks, or anything else you'd like to have on hand.
Take breaks when you need them. You do not need to remain onsite for the entire 48 hours.
😴 STAY LATE OR HEAD HOME
This is your creative weekend.
You can leave and come back to:
Sleep
Eat
Rest
Shower
Walk the dog
Clear your head!
If you're planning to stay very late, you may bring a sleeping bag and anything else you'll need to be comfortable.
The important exception:
⏰ YOU MUST BE PRESENT SUNDAY AT 3 PM
Your completed garments need to be turned in for judging and Fashion Show registration.
🚗 ARRIVAL
When you arrive:
Check in.
Pick up your name tag.
We'll help you find your workspace.
Unpack and get settled.
Meet your fellow designers.
Start creating!
🪡 SHARED SUPPLIES
Our equipment and shared supplies are here for everyone.
Please return scissors, thread, wire cutters, tools and other shared supplies to the Supply Hub when you're finished so they're easy for the next designer to find.
Use it. Love it. Return it. Create on! ✨
🙋 NEED HELP?
Look for a member of our Create-a-thon Support Squad.
These are the folks who know the terrain. They can:
Answer questions
Help you navigate the space
Point you toward equipment and supplies
Help with machines
Troubleshoot when something isn't cooperating
Think of them as your go-to resource throughout the weekend.
📸 PHOTO & VIDEO
We'll be capturing the creativity throughout the weekend with photography and video and hope you do too. PLEASE SHARE THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND on your social media channels!
Behind-the-scenes moments
Designers at work
Works in progress
Designer interviews
Finished creations
Candid moments of our creative community in action
✨ THE FASHION SHOW
Saturday, October 10, 2026
📍 Brady Hall
3511 Verde Valley School Rd
Sedona, AZ 86351
Fashion Show: 5–6:30 PM
Designer & Model Rehearsal
Rehearsals will begin sometime between 11 AM and 1 PM, depending on which section of the show you're in.
Your specific rehearsal time and additional Fashion Show instructions will be provided once assignments are finalized.
💜 QUICK QUESTIONS?
Email us at: FashionLabSedona@gmail.com
Bookmark this page so you always know where to find the latest information.