Great British Sewing Bee

Back with a bang!

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Last night saw the much anticipated return of the sewing bee. This is always one of the highlights of my year. The show is what inspired me to start sewing and each episode gives me new ideas for things I could make. And the new series seems to be no exception…

Returning to the sewing room is like reuniting with old friends, even though we’ve not yet met any of this year’s sewers.

This week’s (this season’s) first challenge is wrap skirts. As usual, while the sewers rummage through the stacks of fabric my initial thought is “I want the haberdashery”. Am I alone in this? To just pick up a pattern and be able to choose from such a range of fabrics there and then would be amazing.

Incidentally, have the desks/sewing stations always been different pastel colours? I’ve never noticed it before…

The finished skirts range from beautifully made (Therese’s, Ali’s and Peter’s really stood out to me) to a little messy (though I don’t think I’d have like Nicole’s even if it had gone perfectly – shiny and gold’s not my thing). It’s still a little early to tell much about our sewers yet though.

Next up is the transformation challenge (I still think of it as the alteration challenge). I think this is the part of the show where you can see the biggest change between now and the early season’s. In the first season they were given a specific task to do (change the neckline of this top, add some patch pockets on this skirt etc) and they were judged on execution as well as the difference they made to the garment. Over the seasons, this has shifted to more and more radical transformations. Sometimes I like the end results, sometimes I’m less impressed – although it’s always fun to see what everyone comes up with.

Taking two men’s shirts and creating an item of women’s clothing should sound bonkers, but having seen some of the previous transformations, nothing surprises me any more. I quite like the idea of trying this, but as Boyfriend only as two shirts total, cutting them up might not go down well…

Not sure I’d have ranked them exactly how the judges did (Liz and Therese’s were my favourites), but I’ve seen a lot of negative comments online about Peter’s dress. Now, while it might not be to my taste, I can appreciate the skill, creativity and amount of work that went into it. Yes, there was sewing involved. You actually saw him with a needle and thread. He may have draped it on the dummy to get the shape but then he sewed everything into place, just like we saw with Chinelo (sp?) a few years ago.

Right – rant over. On to made to measure. As I said in my last post, this is always my favourite challenge and where we finally get to see a bit more of who the sewers really are. My personal favourites were Liz’s (again), Therese’s (spot a pattern yet?) and Clare’s. Matt’s was very pretty and well made but I wasn’t keen on the fabric.

I’m not going to spoil who’s left and who got garment of the week, but here are my initial thoughts on each sewer so far:

  • Alex – his skirt could have been ok if he’d not got flustered and done the buttons wrong. Really wasn’t keen on his pattern or fabric choice for the tea dress, and he made quite a few mistakes. Hopefully it’s just nerves… But he definitely had on his best ballroom smile!
  • Ali – good, competent sewer. I liked some of her style choices and everything was well made. Being a paramedic she should cope with the stress well.
  • Angillia – felt a little like she was out of her comfort zone. She can obviously sew well (as shown in her tea dress) but not sure how well she’ll cope with time pressures.
  • Clare – love the vintage style! I really like her tea dress but she didn’t seem as confident on the pattern challenge and her transformation looked a little messy in places. Again, could be first week nerves…
  • Fiona – a little bit feisty at times (accusing Patrick of stretching her skirt!!! 😂). Wasn’t really keen on the feathers and her tea dress wasn’t finished, which is never a good sign.
  • Hazel – I liked the fork truck! She seems like a strong competent sewer but for some reason didn’t stand out. Maybe it’s just different taste in fabrics etc.
  • Liz – I like her slightly quirky style, plus she seems to be able to sew well. Like the corset-style top in the alteration challenge and loved her tea dress. (She also kinda reminds me of Kate Kane from Batwoman!!!)
  • Mark – my local sewer from Kenilworth! Plus he gets bonus points for the cute dog. Another one with a vintage-y style, and again, seems to be able to sew. And he appreciates the value of pockets! Always good.
  • Matt – love the title of Drag Designer in Chief!! He made an extremely good tea dress, but I wasn’t as keen on his skirt or transformation challenge.
  • Nicole – definitely made the wrong choice of fabric with her skirt and it’s never a good idea to not listen to the judges advice. She’s very distinctive but I think we have very different tastes.
  • Peter – he literally bled for his art – showing it’s not just me who can injure themselves sewing… He had two very strong challenges and I quite liked his tea dress, even if I wouldn’t wear it. He does need to work on his fitting though…
  • Therese – as you can tell from what I’ve written above, I think she could’ve one to watch. She’s obviously got a lot of skill and I adored her tea dress!

So, to sum up my current top pick are Liz, Therese, Peter and Ali. I can’t believe I now have to wait a while week for the next episode!

Oh well, off to see if I have any patterns for tea dresses…

Back to the beginning…

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Tonight sees the return of the Great British Sewing Bee, so I thought it would be a good time to go back to where it all started: Season One.

On 2 April 2013, the first episode of this quirky little show aired on BBC2. I’m not sure anyone really knew what to expect or whether it would work. Would an hour of watching people really make for interesting TV?

The answer – at least for me – is a resounding yes!

Repeats of the first series started airing on Really last week, or on the Dplay app if, like me, you only stream things now. Perfect timing to get me in the mood for the new series.

As soon as the music starts, I’m smiling. It almost feels like coming home. Time to settle in…

As we enter the sewing room for the first time, I can see sewers I recognise, and a few that I appear to have completely forgotten. There’s Patrick and May – I miss May! Don’t get me wrong, I like Esme, but May’s like the Mary Berry of sewing, she’s just a bit more approachable and seemed to focus more on technique.

The first challenge is an A-line skirt. Relatively simple – not too many pattern pieces, a couple of darts and a zip. I feel like I might manage this one (emphasis on might). I’ve done darts before but zips quite frankly scare me.

During the challenge we get to know the contestants a little more. Some, like Sandra, Ann and Tilly, I recognise immediately. Jane and Michelle I seem to have forgotten completely, which doesn’t bode well. I think I remember Lauren, but I coul she mixing her up with someone from another season.

I have to say, I’m so jealous of how much space they have to cut out. Such a dedicated space is so different from hoping my folded fabric will fit on the kitchen table (I haven’t dared cut on the floor yet – might be tricky with wolfhound laid on your fabric).

(Side note: I love Tilly’s top, I keep getting distracted by wondering where I can find something with those sleeves. I’m also bobbing my head along to the music as I watch)

I love how different the eight skirts are. I think this is what got me interested in sewing right here, how people can take the same pattern and just take it in completely different directions.

The alteration challenge here is one of the most simple seen across the series – I think they were still feeling their way at this point. Still, varied success with the results. Sandra and Mark made a pig’s ear of it and Jane’s fringing is… different… Let’s leave it there.

(Side note 2: Do we think Ann’s capable of doing anything less than impeccably?)

On to the made to measure challenge, these are always my favourite. There’s more time for them to do something more complex and you get to see more of their personalities. Plus, I’m in awe of anyone who can make stuff for other people. I’m still grappling with making clothes for myself.

I vaguely remember some of these dresses and the designs are shown on screen (that reversible dress).

Wait – man down! Jane’s been taken ill. Who remembered there was this much drama in the first episode? Poor Jane. At this point, I can’t remember if she makes it back.

Looking at the final dresses you can start to see people step away from the pack – and not all for good reasons. Michelle obviously attempted too much and Lauren’s is way too snug – can the poor girl breathe? I like the look of Mark and Tilly’s dresses. Ann and Sandra’s are obviously well made, but I’m not as keen on the styles.

It’s not a massive surprise who leaves, though I think Stuart had a lucky escape. Hope he does better next week.

All in all, it’s been nice to go back to the first episode. There was so much I’d forgotten. I definitely think there’s been a shift more towards design rather than technique in more recent series, but I guess things can’t stay still. It will be interesting to see how it compares to the new series.

I’ll end with my favourite quote from the show, courtesy of Stewart:

I’ve never made a skirt before Claudia – let alone an A-line!

And said with such attitude!

Enjoy the new series everyone!

Sewing Sixties-Style

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Last week real life took over a bit, so my review of international week on the sewing bee didn’t really happen. Sorry everyone. But I’m back on track now, so it’s time for Sixties week – sadly without Josh. This year’s sewing bee is now ladies only.

Is anyone else excited by the idea of sewing Sixties-style? There are so many iconic styles from that decade – I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the sewers.

They seem to be looking forward to it as well – although they don’t seem so thrilled at the idea of 1960s sewing machines.

First up is colour-block shift dresses. How on earth can there be 14 pieces in such a simple dress? I recognise the style of dress but I always assumed the blocks were printed rather than it being such a patchwork dress. Obviously I was wrong.

Joyce appears to have learnt her lesson after last week and is following the pattern to the letter. She does seem to have an advantage here having used those machines before, and she seems determined to prove she can follow a pattern exactly.

Personally I really liked Jade’s monochrome block dress. I can see the other colour combinations are striking but just not really my taste. I kind of like Rumana’s pastel blocks as well (anyone who’s seen my house will tell you I like pastels), but I’d have gone with something other than orange.

Am I the only one who loves the little historical snippets each week. I knew a little bit about Sixties fashion from art at school, but I really enjoyed learning more about the Mondrian dress and how it became so widespread. I’m sure there are some lessons for modern-day marketers in there.

The precision demanded of the sewersat this stage is just unreal. I know it’s a competition but I never want to be in a position where anyone is judging my sewing with a ruler.

Incidentally, is anyone else slightly confused by Esme’s outfit this week? It’s very individual but really?

Back to the challenge… A few people seem to have been caught out by the the need for precision here. Jade, Tracey and Rumana all got pulled up on using the wrong colour top stitching. Add to that the trouble people had with that zip and there’s a few in trouble here.

Patchwork patterns done with, we move on to alterations. This week we have PVC raincoats. Well why not?!? Why would anyone want to wear PVC clothing? Friends who have worn PVC (you know who you are), is it as uncomfortable as it looks?

They’re starting to get more daring now with the alterations. Admittedly, working with see through plastic makes anything seem daring, but there’s certainly a lot more variation in what they come up with.

I like Tracey’s target pockets idea, I’ve not seen anything like that before. Having said that, I can see what Esme means about the shape of the dress, but then Tracey doesn’t really seem to do anything fitted. That might trip her up soon if she’s not careful.

Joyce is having a really good week. Top of the pattern challenge and again with her alteration. She’s obviously in her element this week.

This week’s made to measure challenge is jackets. Not just any jackets – they have to use vintage 60s patterns. 

My personal favourite is Charlotte’s Jackie Kennedy-inspired jacket – such a classic shape. Angeline’s orange monstrosity on the other hand… Ok, orange is possibly my least favourite colour so I was never going to love this one, but adding Paisley and faux fur to that? Psychedelic is the right word!

I like the look of Jade’s jacket as well. Not fabric I’d have personally chosen but it’s a lovely style and if she does it well it could be stunning. Let’s hope all that pattern-matching pays off.

Had anyone else ever heard of grown-on sleeves before? I have this bizarre image in my head of some sort of tree with sleeves instead of leaves… I do like that there’s a story behind Tracey’s jacket – it obviously means a lot to her and I hope she’s happy with the end result.

And we’re back to bagging out! This looked bad enough when they were putting the linings on their capes a few weeks ago. Adding sleeves to that? I don’t know how they didn’t end up tied in knots.

Angelline’s really isn’t having a good week. Even taking orange fabric out of the equation her coat’s a mess. It’s not hanging right and her lining’s pulled everything out of shape. I don’t know if she’s done enough to be safe this week. Usually made to measure is her strong point.

Oh no, we have tears! We’ve not even got to the judging yet. Anyone want to join me in giving Tracey and Rumana virtual hugs?

All of Jade’s patience and hard work has paid off. That jacket is lovely, a well-deserved garment of the week.

And we say goodbye to Angeline! I don’t think she was surprised – like we saw with Jamie, she just had an awful week. Can you believe we’ve had five weeks already? There’s so few sewers left now.

So next week we move out to activewear. I’m not sure what that will involve – running gear, yoga tops? I guess we’ll find out next week.

So to sum up Sixties week:

  • I now know how important interfacing is, especially with tailoring
  • I need to start looking out for some vintage patterns – love those jackets
  • I still don’t like orange – not sure that will ever change…

Knickers and Negligées

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It’s lingerie week on the Great British Sewing Bee. This week the sewers are dealing with delicate fabrics and first up is stretch lace bras.

I can’t imagine sewing your own bra – although I guess it could be handy. I have a few friends who struggle to get bras that fit properly. I’ve had more than one BBQ conversation about the difficulties of finding the right bra (how expensive they are when you find them). When I saw what the sewers were making I thought “maybe I could do this for people…” Having watched this challenge – so not happening!

I love lace but sewing with it? It so delicate and fiddly, adding stretch to that? No thank you. I need to get a lot more experience under my belt before I try anything this complicated.

I think the boys may be at a disadvantage this week. I suspect lingerie isn’t going to be something they’ve made for themselves in the past. Or I could be wrong – maybe they have…

We’re starting to see a bit more of the sewers now They’ve started to settle in.

Tracey’s definitely growing on me this week. I don’t always agree with her taste (that horrific blue top with the lace curtain from week one has stuck with me) but I love her attitude and some of things she’ll say. At some point I’ll figure out who she reminds me of.

Josh is just endearingly honest. Not many blokes would have so openly admitted how little attention they pay to bras. The last few weeks he’s just scraped through, let’s hope he starts to pick up a bit.

Angelline’s been a bit mixed. She seems to do amazing at the things she wants to sew but on this challenge the picot elastic really scuppered her. Wasting all that time unpicking meant she was the only one not to finish her bra. I thought the judges were surprisingly mild given it was held onto the mannequin with pins. Can you imagine Paul Hollywood being that nice to a baker who ran out of time to ice their cake?

Jade’s bra had a few issues too – slightly lopsided and the back looked a bit of a mess. 

Everyone else seemed to do quite well on this challenge, the odd twisted strap aside. The main issues seemed to be with straps and any gathering or pleating they had to do to get it to fit together. Joyce’s did look perfect though.

On to alterations. We saw slightly more variation this week. Maybe they’re starting to get a bit more confident in chopping up items of clothing.

My favourites in this challenge were Angelline’s and Tracey’s camisoles (after dissing Tracey’s taste a few minutes ago). Rumana’s twisted top was an interesting idea but didn’t really work in practice. I’m not entirely sure what Josh was trying to make, but then I’m not sure even he knew. Jamie didn’t have a good challenge either. If his first waistband had fit, it wouldn’t have been so bad, but the stirring elastic really didn’t work. Not up to your usual standard Jamie!

For our final challenge – made to measure luxury robes. I love the made to measure challenges, you really get to see part of the sewers’ personalities. Plus they always make beautiful garments.

So far I’ve loved Angelline’s made to measure items. I want both the skirt from week one and an adult version of that cape. This week she’s done it again – that red robe with the lace and billowing sleeves is just gorgeous.

Jamie, Jamie, Jamie… That robe could have been great, but I think time was just against him (and that fabric). He just tried to do too much and then everything started to go wrong.

Other than Angelline’s, my favourites from this challenge were Jade’s (I agree with Esme on the fabric), Rumana’s and Josh’s. I think he saved himself again with the final challenge. 

For the first time Angelline’s didn’t win garment of the week. I wasn’t surprised Charlotte won, she put so much work into finishing everything perfectly. And the end result was stunning.

No more Jamie! I never saw that coming, I thought he’d be in the final. He took it really well though, he knew he’d had a nightmare week and sometimes that’s all that it takes.

So three down, seven left to sew again. Next week the sewers go international (and apparently Claudia auditions for the Marvel Cinematic Universe). This could be interesting…

P.S. Sewing Top Trumps needs to be a thing!

Summary of week three:

  • Thing’s I’ve learnt:
    • That’s what picot is!
    • Always, always read the pattern
  • New projects to add to the list:
    • Angelline’s dressing gown