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

[flubba]

A bit excited about it



:o

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Sorry, flubba.

I taught myself to sew from Very Easy Very Vogue patterns, having always bunked off sewing at school. But what I do remember is that, when cutting out, you should make sure that big motifs - huge flowers or whatever - are centrally placed and that they meet neatly at seams. So, for example and as the judge said, the chap who made the boldly-patterned dress should have cut out the back so that the seam ran through the centre of the leaf-shape and when the two pieces were joined together it looked like one leaf.

And if you cut something - it's usually a neckline , a shoulder line or the front edge of a dress bodice - so that the cut goes diagonally across the grain of the fabric [the grain is the length of the fabric], you should then sew along that edge, just inside the seam line and with very small stitches, so that the edge is stabilised and doesn't stretch. Generally, the stretch that you get on the diagonal is a good thing - that's why we saw one of the competitors making bias binding to finish off a hem, as the bias makes it flexible - but you don't want it when it means that part of the garment could be stretched out of shape.

[newgirl]

Loved it - I'm definitely a beginner and found it inspiring - just enough info to find out more - 10 yr old loved it too and didn't know what an a line skirt is (jeans wearing mum...)

[bluebump]

Ann is lovely!

[blueraincoat]

I will be back next week but so far it isn't blowing me away sadly

[stealthsquiggle]

Whilst I couldn't begin to compete (don't really make clothes, apart from the odd dress for DD and lots of costumes), my DC took one look and said "they're in Mummy heaven" - and they were not wrong . Do you think they gave them time to drool and get it over with before they started the clock?

[ibbydibby]

Loved it. Sat and watched whole thing, whilst knitting, don't watch much TV and was, for me, pure indulgence. I see it as an "inspirational" programme rather than "teaching"...it may just push me that little bit more to take up one of the projects I have seen in a quiliting book I borrowed from the library. (Am knitter rather than sew-er)

V envious of the sewing room!

[Soupa]

Anyone else want a bias binding machine thingy, never knew you could.

Loved Ann, was surprised at what some of them didn't know too but maybe the timing distorts it. Am always sewing bits wrong under pressure.

Delighted to have a programme I can discuss with my mum for once, shame it's so derivative. I don't think it needed the bake off format.

[TolliverGroat]

I make children's clothes, but they are mostly straight up and down. Sewing for me will involve doing a FBA or a sway back adjustment and while in theory I know how to do both of those, in practice they scare me.

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

I have a bias binding thingy. In the days when I used to make my own clothes, I used to finish the raw edge of hems with bias binding as it makes for a neater finish than folding the edge twice, but I never got the knack of using the thingy. Mind you, I wasn't such a dab hand with the steam iron as tonight's contestant.

[fossil971]

I did a bias binding hem on my wedding dress all around the train so that when I picked the train up both sides were neat, and the lining and the dress didn't part company. Very grateful to the experienced lady who gave me that tip.

Now we have all seen how to make an embellished A line skirt we can put White Stuff out of business

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Joking aside, tonight's show has made me think that I ought to make my summer skirts. Mind you, my zip insertion technique has always been a bit iffy.

[MrsPennyapple]

I enjoyed it, as a pp said I found it more inspiring than informative. I dabble in lots of crafts but have always been a bit of a scaredy when it comes to making clothes. I allow things to get in the way and then say I don't have time. Would really love to do a dress-making course at college or something.

I have a bias binding maker! Haven't used it yet though...

[Soupa]

Well am going to get one, am watching again with dp. He wants o learn to sew...currently he thinks it's a dark art but I don't think my mystique will last for long.

[Lessthanaballpark]

Just finished. Loved it - I think that by the time the series is done I'm going to want to adopt Ann as my granny! She's so classy. That broderie anglaise top was gorgeous.

[Iwantacampervan]

We enjoyed it here, I would love to have access to all that material etc. and the space to work, but agree that the laundry bag tutorial was too rushed, but then I discovered the instructions in The Radio Times (free copy).
We all want Ann as our Granny to make us lovely clothes - DDs were a bit shocked when it looked as though she is being criticised next week!

[SoupDragon]

I was planning on watching this on iPlayer this evening. Is it worth it?

[MakesCakesWhenStressed]

I zig zag stitch the raw edge of my hem then turn it up once. I would love an over locker...

[MakesCakesWhenStressed]

I zig zag stitch the raw edge of my hem then turn it up once. I would love an over locker...

[MrsPennyapple]

I liked Ann from the start, it was immediately obvious that she knows her stuff.

I'd say it's worth a watch, Soup

[ChocolateCremeEggBag]

Hi Soup - definitely worth watching:
Pro's:

• Lovely big sewing work room to gaze at
  

• Dishy beardy male judge
  
• Lots of nice fabric
  
• different ideas for the same pattern (skirt/top/dress)
  
• Some useful tips
  
• History of dressmaking sections
  

Cons (or bits that could annoy you)
- Claudia Winkleman's patronizing commentary

• overconfident Tilly (but she does get comeuppance slightly )
  
• focus on time pressure and people rather than the making of the clothes (but then they have to make it a "show")
  
• random bag tutorial which went from basic to "use a bias binding machine" as if we all have one
  

I will keep watching - I want Ann to win! And it's getting me inspired to get my half made skirt and summer dress finished.

[SoupDragon]

Oooh - I"ll have to get my bias binding machine out of the cupboard in my huge sewing room *

Fabulous :)

*This is a figment of my imagination

[EffieTheDuck]

I had never heard of a bias binding machine but I googled and you can get all different sizes. I want one now.
Do you cut a great long strip of material, sew another piece on for length then feed it through the machine?
Do you cut it on the bias and how do you know which is the bias?

[armagh]

I player doesn't work in ireland sadly

[SoupDragon]

Someone once recommended Tunnelbear to me for pretending you are in another country on your PC etc. IIRC it allows you to watch things like iPlayer.