Anyone else going to join me on the Sewing Bee watch?

[flubba]

A bit excited about it

:o

I thought they might have made some comment about Jane from last week.

I thought I must have missed them mentioning Jane - could have just done a quick voiceover add - this isn't a live or near live show so not like they didn't have the time.

Unless there is more to the story.... did she run wild through the fabrics like a supermarket sweep contestant like I would do

Lovely fabrics Effie I could spend alot on there so have deleted it quick - but can someone help me - I have always assumed that you can't really use quilting fabric to make clothes? Is this a rule - or does it just depend on the fabric itself?

Loved the show last night. I want Lauren to win.

Ann and the mum one with 3 girls (can't remember her name) are quietly very ambitious. Ann is secure in her technical ability and seems a bit arrogant about it. The mum one keeps distracting everyone near the end. I think it's a deliberate ploy to put them off.

The cushion demo was useless but the computer tutorial on how to make a fly was great.

ooh, if it is jackets/suits - listen out for "you have to make the sleeves dance"
if it isn't mentioned, then they're not doing it right.

that's the only way to line jackets properly.

haha chocolate Yes, I'd have done the same ~ I keep daydreaming about that lovely room. That link you did for the simplicity dress is sweet - when I shift this baby weight two years on I might have a go at that.

Right, just caught up on the programme - loved Stuart's chinese top ~ really smart and well executed. Tilly's pockets were poor with the raw edges, but, and I do like Anne, Anne's were also a bit yawwwwwwn.

Mark's blouse was very him. Shame he left though - I'd have liked to have seen a 'here's two days, make your own outfit from scratch' task where he could have gone pirate-tastic on us :)

music I have to say I'm not good at following patterns and instructions - and unless you know what it is you're supposed to be doing (either having done it before or seen it visually somewhere), I often find written instructions hard to get my round.

Yes I agree with you hair that the computer tutorial on the fly was very useful - that's the kind of thing I'd watch over and over, slowed down, while I was trying to make it - definitely something to bookmark if they only let you do that forever with iplayer.

I don't think it matters about using quilting cotton to make clothes - after all traditionally quilts were made from dress or shirt scraps. You do have to choose the right pattern though, it's similar to the crisp cotton fabric of all those traditional 1950s summer dresses, rather than tending to drape or stretch. Personal view!

Fossil - thanks for that link, I like the pattern reviews and best pattern section. Useful. I often improvise my own from old favourites having been less than impressed with new patterns. I need to improve by doing new stuff though.

I really wish they had left everyone in and just graded them, Ann is excellent and Sandra too so am sure they will do well but it's interesting to see how everyone approaches the challenges with their different skills and experiences. Maybe the best sewer isn't always the most interesting one. And anyone can cock up of course...

www.flickr.com/photos/7370831@N07/7485824810/in/set-72157630204914658/

This is Ann showing how to sew a chanel style jacket from a vogue pattern. She is rather inspirational.

i've realised why i thought the fly tute was rubbish, i was watching it online, and my picture froze, so i didn't see all the animation, just heard the voice over!

There is a sewing school in Harrogate which does a "make your own Chanel jacket" course which is tempting me.... But would have to be able to find the "right" fabric for me which is holding me back.

Fossil - thanks for fabric advice, I have a Butterick skirt pattern (B5756) here which I've made up in denim and in progress in plain navy but have seen this red chevron skirt which I could try in the Red Riley Blake fabric.....

Is there an easy way to unpick overlocking?

Oooh chocolatecreme sounds interesting, my neck of the woods too. I do wonder whether I could do it to the course schedule. Am sure I remember someone blogging about the 100 s of hours needed...!

Effie - yes, yes there is.

You have to find the magic thread.
(which is basically the needle threads)

find the threads, cut about an inch off (as you would with normal unpicking) then pull. the thread will come right out.
Copy that with the other needle thread and Bob's your uncle.
Dead easy.

but don't get the wrong thread or you will pull it tighter.
(which is why you unpick an inch or so first)

Thank you Unique!

I had a horrific incident in town. Horrific. I am never going out again.
The elastic which failed is overlocked into the trouser material.

just pull gently at a couple of threads until you get the right ones :)

I see I am in lovely company here....am slightly obsessed with sewing and loving the GBSB so far!

I'm totally self taught (well, my mum taught me heaps) and run a wee business that requires me to own 3 sewing machines and an embroidery machine. I need to find a way to convince DH that my business me also requires an ovelocker........

I have just realised that the blog I bookmarked agggesss ago to look at for ideas is Tilly's blog!

Feel mean saying I find her annoying now

Eddie I am vv intrigued what business you have, surely an overlocker would be a vital accessory to an alteration/embroidery/dressmaker (what else can it be...?)

Soupa - do you know the place I mean - Yorkshire School of Sewing? I saw them at the Harrogate Knit and Stich show - but don't know any one who has been on one of their courses.
You do half the jacket and complete the rest at home. 2 day course, £75 a day which seems pretty reasonable, but I really want someone to tell me that it's going to be worth it.

doh Stitch! - sorry

And Cate my freezer is far too full of stuff for patterns....
Great idea though!

chocolatecremeeggbag I do have a business that involves some sewing, however did you guess . I too, feel that an overlocker is a necessity. DH just rolls his eyes and looks at my rammed, crammed and squashed sewing room and wonders where it will go

Now, if I hid some stuff in the freezer, we'd be sorted!

Just rejoining the thread. DD wants to go to a sewing shop tomorrow! ::grin::

I didn't know about them already, am interested though.

Didn't sew much for ages then recently been doing more, have never had any tuition and would like to know how to do stuff properly.

Kids stuff is always a last minute rush job and I fancy doing something properly and learning as I go.

comeintothegardenmaud my DD spent this morning sewing on my 1935 handcrank machine! She's only 5, but she's developing a fabric habit!!!

you have to get an overlocker.
I would die without mine.