The Great British Sewing Bee

... can't sew. Really can't.

But everyone else's enthusiasm for this programme has whetted my appetite so I'm going to watch it!

It's never too late to learn, I hope.

And I'm sure the programme is a healthy distraction from everything that's going on around us at the moment.

I love this programme, and enjoy seeing how the contestants improve and learn as the weeks go on.

It's interesting that sales of sewing machines soared during lockdown, and often to men. There was an army Lt. Gen. a few series back who took his sewing machine on deployment and made a wedding dress for someone while he was away. Men like him make the idea of sewing more accessible to other men.

I'd love to be let loose in that haberdashery and do a "supermarket sweep" with a trolley!!

Oh so would I! All that fabric I would love it and the buttons and ribbons.

That was Lt Col Neill Stace Sparklefizz. You might enjoy reading this article about him:

armyandyou.co.uk/the-power-of-creation/

He said of the Sewing Bee recruitment process:

I was asked whether I’d ever been in a stressful situation, which sounded barking having been on operational tours, but looking back you need it, because the whole reality TV thing is pretty brutal.

They could find a thousand quality sewers, but they needed a group of people who could interact, and who had a bit of a back story.

Lucca

I liked the African print wrap dress it floated nicely, not that I’d ever wear a wrap dress…

That was my favourite too Lucca.

I thought Sarah Pascoe was excellent as the new presenter - thankfully she didn't attempt to be too whacky. I loved Joe Lycett but think Sarah is a really good replacement.
I really enjoyed last night's programme but felt a bit worried about Esme who didn't seem herself and appeared "croaky" and out of breath. Hope she's ok

OakDryad Thank you so much for that link. I'll take a look. I really liked him on the programme.

PS. I have just read that article and it's interesting and very inspiring. Thanks again. On the programme I always liked the methodical and mathematical way he approached sewing.

Just read the article about the sewing soldier. It is amazing how
A creative activity can help ones mental health.
A man I know is a soldier, I have just sent him the article and offered to give him lessons!

I used to sew all the time but stiff swollen fingers and bad eyesight unfortunately make sewing difficult but I stick to easy things these days. I have enjoyed making appliqué cushions recently.
Much prefer the new compere, no constant grimacing and in your face as Joe.

Tom Daley, the Olympic diver, took up knitting to calm his nerves and has made some terrific things.

What I like most about Sewing Bee is its atmosphere of friendly competittion. All are doing their best, all want to win, but all will stop to help a fellow competitor rethread a machine or replace a needle.

Really enjoyed last night's programme. I thought Sara Pascoe was very good and the contestants seem a co-operative bunch. Here's hoping for a good series.

Just caught up to it.

Like the new presenter, although I don't know who she is.

Disagreed with all the Number #1s but did agree with the one who went home.

I liked the Ghananian dress best of all, and thought the garment of the week looked like a summer weight dressing gown I once had.

All this said within the context of being able to sew on buttons and darn socks but no more.

A gentle and creative programme, I really enjoyed it.

Gin I gave up sewing for a long time because I was not very good at it, even though I enjoyed it, but DD got me started again because as she said, reversing the usual saying 'If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly'

So keep on sewing, you may not be as good as you were, but if you are enjoying it, why stop? I have got back to sewing and it is far from perfect, but I really enjoy it.

I thought Esme looked a bit ‘tottery’, and seemed to have aged.

I wonder if she’s had Covid?

It has made me feel like making a woollen skirt for next winter. How warm that would be with warm tights. I wish TSB listed their fabric providers. I loved some of that `made in yorkshire` cloth

^ and thought the garment of the week looked like a summer weight dressing gown I once had.^

I thought exactly the same. Maybe it was because it was a strange length - longer than midi, shorter than maxi.

When did the word "midaxi" come into being to describe the length *Sparklefizz" means? I've never heard it until recently.

I thought most of the wrap dresses were too long and, in most cases the fabrics were too light for the length, which is why Mitch's dress worked, even if a little too short.

I preferred the dress with the frill running down its length.

Yes, for those reasons many looked dull and/or like dressing gowns.

Joseanne

When did the word "midaxi" come into being to describe the length *Sparklefizz" means? I've never heard it until recently.

You might find this interesting Joseanne.

www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/shows-trends/a27281187/midaxi-the-summer-hemline-trend/

Joseanne There have been several fashion names mentioned on Bee which I'd never heard of - eg. buffet dress, and there was another one describing a dress that apparently 1950s housewives could make in a day ... can't remember what it was called, but I know my Mum never wore one!

If anyone is interested in what patterns they used in Episode 1 so watch The Great British Sewing Bee 2022 | Sewing Pattern Picks | Episode 1. This company track down all the patterns used.

I'm just reading Esme's book "Behind The Seams" about her life and career. It's great fun, she's always been a one off.

Thank you Oakdryad. An interesting read.

Thanks also DaisyAnne.
I'm off to work out which was the black and white check one, I fancy copying.