The Great British Sewing Bee

Suzie , I needed your daughter last year ! My wee granddaughter wanted a parrot costume , I had to make feathers out of paper . That head dress should be put in a boxed frame - it's gorgeous !

I had to laugh at the problems the young ones were having with the 60's machine. They sounded just like me when I try to use my "lovely" new one that I foolishly bought to replace my 21st Birthday present machine. I hardly ever use the new one because I have to read right through the manual every time I do. Now if Patrick was going to come and help me with it ...............

The applique on Esme's tunic/Kaftan last week was unfinished and uneven too. This week's dress seemed to have frayed ends sticking up over her shoulders. I thought they were a very poor advertisement of her skills.

Suzie, that head dress is amazing, what a talented daughter you have!

I'm still sewing on the Bernina I bought myself 20 years ago with birthday money. The Mercedes of sewing machines was how they described them then. I would feel terrible if it broke down, still Mercedes, they don't break down either, they just carry on a new life in Africa and do another 300,000km.
Perhaps your Bernina is on its way to Africa where it will sew another thousand km.

I used to love cloth kits and I think you also had a doll's dress pattern in with the little girls dresses. I was sure Caitlin Moran was wearing a cloth kit top in the Sunday Times. I haven't watched the sewing bee. My beloved Bernina has gone funny and the man has come to take it away. Feel as though my right arm has been cut off.

I think Esme looked like a slightly restrained Grayson Perry

I had a blue boucle jacket. Wore on my first date with DH. Pencil skirt to match. Black patent block heels and matching handbag?

She did look as if she'd been through a shredder! Perfectly put, anno! It's difficult to believe that someone with so little sartorial sense can be a judge on such a programme.
I loved the winning jacket, it was absolutely flawless. I was so pleased to see Jade get the Garment of the Week award for that because she has struggled at times, and been close to going home.
Yes, Margaret Joyce is certainly looking like the winner at the moment. But then, Jamie did over the first couple of weeks and then made some disastrous errors of judgment, so I guess it could still be anyone's game.

She did look as if she'd been through a shredder!

The winning jacket was really a winner and i heard that the candidates could cut out the pieces of their garment at home. In my opinion the cutting out of this jacket where the pattern matched from sleeve over to the front and the back and was perfect that this was the main work. The pieces were cut out with mathematical precision and there was noproof that the girl had done that herself. Joyce continues to produce lovely clothes. Is she the winner?
I could not stop laughing at Esme. Hasn't she got a mirror at home or daughters? Mine would not have let me appear on Tv looking like that.

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My daughter is an artist and made the feathers/ leaves here on a sewing machine using free machine embroidery

suzied I stand in awe of those who can produce some of the work I've seen in art shows and exhibitions. You got up close to it and only then realise it's all done on a sewing machine.

And matching macs?

Never had anything PVC. The children had sou'westers - yellow and red

I had a block shift. It was black and white. Probably bought it in Biba but not sure.

Grey duster - you mean free machine embroidery. I've done courses in this and it can be very artistic. You don't necessarily need a computerised machine - but need one that you can lower the feed dogs so you can freely move the fabric , you need a darning foot and you put the fabric in a hoop. Some people do some amazing pictures using different coloured threads etc.

I found it interesting that those Modrian dresses looked so different in the choices of colour. Angelina kept on about 60s as being bright and colourful, not sure , that may be a stereotype. I remember quite a bit of victoriana, maroon and deep purple.

I think the young girl has great flare and wish Esme would give her a place at her college. Her jacket was so smart.

Yes, I noticed that! What a mess.

Why was I crying when Angeline got knocked out??!
The judge was wearing stripped wood chip wallpaper. Did you see the fraying around the neck!

One thing I do admire, and which seems to be growing in popularity, is the art of making pictures using just textiles and a sewing machine. Some of the ones I've seen have been stunning in their detail. There is a well known local artist here who teaches it and she produces some remarkable stuff. I imagine, though I don't know, that you would need a computerised sewing machine to do that.

I don't sew - sewing badges on my GS's cub shirt is the apex of my expertise - but I am fascinated by this programme. I was standing outside the changing rooms in Debenhams men's department on Friday, discussing it with two other long-suffering ladies and they also commented on how it reaches out to people who don't sew but simply admire the expertise involved in putting together a wearable garment. This conversation was inspired by there being a large photograph of Patrick Grant just inside the entrance! There was much mutual drooling going on. The jacket that won it last night was beautiful. I was so pleased for her. nannylovesshopping You can get creative with crisp packets - I use bit of them to make fishing flies!

I used to enjoy making up Clothkit patterns.

I have an electric sewing machine which does zig zag and embroidery stitches, but it isn't 'computerised'. Is it time I had a new machine? What do computerised ones do that mine can't? Can anyone tell me?

Nearly finished my family pack of salt and vinegars, was just thinking how creative I could get? Lona

Just spent ages looking for something "crisp" to wear