18 May 2016

The Great British Sewing Bee



I was delighted to see the return of the Great British Sewing Bee this week.  I am not a particularly gifted seamstress although I can run up a pair of curtains and have made some fancy dress costumes in the past but I am a sucker for this programme.

Ten amateur sewers battle it out over 6 episodes to be named "Britain's best home sewer". Claudia Winkleman peers out under her fringe to present the series and it is judged by suave Patrick Grant and Esme Young (who appears to be the dressmaking equivalent of chef Rosemary Shrager).

What surprises me most is that Paul, who wouldn't know his bobbin from his bodkin, is also addicted to this programme.  This is a transcript of his text conversation with my daughter this morning. (Paul is in italics.)

“I can’t believe how bad all those blue skirts were! Talk about unimaginative.
Yeah, that’s what we thought, worse we have seen.  Looks like about four really good contenders though.
I think there’s a strong possibility of another male winner.
Yes, he (don’t know his name) is very creative and has the finish as well.  Thought the garment of the week was very good. The skirt made by Tracy was a sack. She should have gone.
Yeah I thought so too but think her top saved her.
He (also don’t know his name) made a really ugly skirt but I think that’s just a difference in taste lol
Hmm, she won’t last long methinks.  Flounce love it or loath it.
Loath it.  I liked the one with the boning.
Yep, that was nice.”

A pretty good summary of the episode. Any other Sewing Bee fans out there?

10 comments:

  1. I've never watched it but Mr Him could do with a hobby. I'll point him in that direction.

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  2. Oh yes! I can't thread a needle but I am a sucker for this program. However, how these people get to be on the show when they produce a 'garment' of such poor quality as finished I don't know. Hems and zips all over the place!
    I think the time constraint is the problem but when we get to the end of the series there will be some really well made clothes.

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    1. I think their levels of competence vary greatly. It's the delight of not knowing what wonderful or ghastly garment they end up producing.

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  3. I did actually watch some of the first series, and rather enjoyed it. I don't think I shall watch any more.

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    1. Go on, watch some more! You know you want to.

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  4. Have you seen any of the 'Forged in Fire' series? It's on the History channel and it's like the Sewing Bee but instead of making clothes they make swords and knives! It's pretty cool seeing them transform a lump of metal into something very shiny. Tom loves it although he does still watch the Sewing Bee with me and was shouting at the tele when the younger lad couldn't cut his material the right way up, hehe.

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    1. I'm not sure a wonky sword would give me the same amusement as a ghastly garment. Interesting though. The pottery equivalent didn't work for me.

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  5. I enjoyed dressmaking as a teenager with my mother. I have a "sewing room" here and still enjoy putting together "stuff" but cannot get into the this sewing TV programme. I watched it for one series, like Cro, but it is all a bit too unreal for me. Masterchef seems to hit the right mark for a bit of fun and a bit of serious cookery all thrown into one with an emphasis on fun. The sewing programme doesn't do it for me.

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    1. This week's episode was a bit tame I have to admit.

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