The Great British Sewing Bee

The more I think about it the more ridiculous it seems to try and make two coats into one. Most of them looked perfectly good coats to me.

The transformation challenge could be something for the house like a set of chair covers, a throw, a door curtain. I don't think they've done anything like that before.

AreWeThereYet

sparklefizz Patrick Grant's dad died during lockdown, and he was reported as saying he had had a 'hellish six months' prior to doing the SB. He converted one of his companies (collectively with other local companies) to make scrubs during the pandemic and worked with them, so he was probably a lot busier than normal over the lockdown period, on top of mourning his dad.

Thank you.

I'm enjoying the Sewing Bee so far this series. As a keen quilter I enjoyed the quilted jacket challenge, not easy to do in the time allowed. I have made two quilted coats in the past, they're really quite easy to do once you find a suitable pattern. I feel inspired to make another one now!

Like others I think the transformation challenge is a waste of time and a waste of perfectly good garments that could be put to better use. They rarely make anything worth wearing. Not sure what they could do instead though - pattern drafting/altering, lingerie, properly fitted trousers perhaps.....

And please could we have Joe or Gloria back.

I put it on to watch this afternoon as I d fell asleep when it was on and bxxxxx me I fell asleep again

I do wonder if I'll ever look at a maxi dress in quite the same way again! I thought they were terrific.
Also enjoyed the patchwork challenge, but not the coat transformation.
I wonder what would happen in a hand-sewing challenge.

Thought that they sent out one of the most skilled sewers this week. Bit of a travesty that Marnie went home when they didn't like one of her makes. Obviously something behind this decision. IMHO.

The other contestants seemed shocked at Marnie's departure. I am sad that they considered only her last effort rather than her previous accomplishments. So it seems that a number of mediocre seamsters (I hate the word 'sewers') are still in contention and Marnie will have to sit and watch.

I wasn't a Marnie fan from the start I'm afraid. I did think Angela might have gone as neither of their made to measure concoctions worked well.

I was surprised that Marnie left. I thought Gill might go as her transformation challenge was horrible.

Yes, lixy a hand-sewing challenge would make a change.

I wasn't a huge fan of the transformation challenge initially but there have been some brilliant ones. The children's fancy dress costumes from old sleeping bags (remember the bunch of grapes?), some of the children's jackets from old ski suits were nice, and a couple of nice patchwork jackets/gilets from the SB waste material. I think it depends on how imaginative the contestants are. I'm not a fan of clothes for animals but there were one of two good dog coats made from old tents of something. And a beautiful blue dress made from parachute silk by the trainee doctor who won one series.

I am watching this series, but not enjoying it quite as much.
Sara? Pascoe is sooooo annoying. Who on earth thought she would fit into the presenter role?
As HappySexagenarian says, bring back Joe.

And a beautiful blue dress made from parachute silk by the trainee doctor who won one series.
that was Clare who also made a beautiful blouse from a sheer fabric. Esme was most impressed because she did perfect french seams throughout since they'd be visible. She's not a trainee doctor but a consultant, lung specialist I think. The Radio Times featured her in an article during lockdown, with an accompanying photo of her in full PPE. Like all NHS staff she was run off her feet! She's been my favourite winner

I'm still enjoying the series, this is my first encounter with Sara Pascoe, I think she's fine.

Rosie51 I think Clare was a different one, she was a lung or respiratory consultant, not sure exactly. Clare was the one who loved all things 1940. Serena was the medical student from Edinburgh who won during lockdown.

AreWeThereYet Oops sorry, I forgot about Serena being a trainee doctor. I knew it was Clare who made the blouse, I just assumed she was the doctor referred to as I couldn't remember that parachute silk dress. I hoped Clare would win but really didn't think they'd give it to her, so was inordinately pleased when they did.
Serena was very talented, everything she sewed was so neat and her fitted garments were perfect, I thought she'd win from quite early in that series.
No idea for this series, I had thought Marni was a strong contender so shows what I know ?

If all the contestants had the same level of ability there wouldn’t be any point in having the competition. The sewers demonstrate their ability to show off their strengths and weaknesses and this sets them up against each other. It is also nice for people at home to try to gauge who will stay or leave each week.
It has also meant that a great many people are now taking up sewing and learning new skills which is all good.

Oh please don’t bring back Joe but get rid of this one too why oh why do all these competition programmes have to have a so called comedian presenting them
Dreadful mistake in my opinion

What’s wrong with Sarah Pascoe? She is just a pleasant personality, why allow somebody lighthearted to spoil one of your favourite programmes, waste of energy!

I like her too acquagran. I've been watching the political comedy The Thick of It again and had forgotten she had a very small part in one epsode. That was in 2009 so she's been a round for a while. It makes sense to me to have a presenter who can develop a light-hearted rapport with the contestants. I think it eases the tension. I liked Ellie Taylor standing in for Siobhan McSweeney on the most recent Pottery Throwdown.

Why do the models on GBSB. Wear masks,when none of the contestants or Esme or Patrick wear them ,

I really enjoyed last night's programme. The David Bowie coat/dress that was garment of the week was very well made.

Lilypops

Why do the models on GBSB. Wear masks,when none of the contestants or Esme or Patrick wear them ,

I quite like the masks as a fashion statement because they are co-ordinated with the outfit.
Didn't someone last night remake theirs to use a different part of the fabric?

An inspired made-to-measure challenge offering so much scope. My favourite for impact was Christian's but it was too tight.

The parkas were good too. As ever, I could do without the transformation challenge.

Brogan seems to be leading the pack for accurate sewing but my favourite is Gill.

I thought the judges had decided Angela was going home fairly early on. I think Gill is amazing to make such lovely outfits with only one hand. To me, Cristian's outfit was the closest to Bowie by far. I was a fan of Brogan early on but now her stuff doesn't stand out the same.

Enjoyed the programme last night. Such talented people. The young man is very good, hope he wins. He has made some lovely outfits.
Yes, to Joe coming back.

Lilypops

Why do the models on GBSB. Wear masks,when none of the contestants or Esme or Patrick wear them ,

I’m guessing that this was filmed some months ago and that the contestants and judges etc are bubbled together.
The models, coming in from outside are wearing face coverings as we were encouraged to do indoors at that time (theatres, cinemas) until that too fell by the wayside.