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Original poster

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

999 replies

flubba · 02/04/2013 20:06

A bit excited about it

Blush

:o

OP posts:
LRDtheFeministDragon · 04/04/2013 09:56

Oh, I am fine thanks. Smile

I just needed some nice soothing viewing and it was perfect I thought.

I do rather like flower-pattern lady. And I think the girl with the 50s style and the roses in her hair is very beautiful (not relevant!) - she has gorgeous dress-sense.

I agree with soup I think the time aspect is good, because it's motivating me to think that a sewing project needn't sit over me for months.

purples - so what would you start with, from a pattern, for a beginner?

SoupDragon · 04/04/2013 10:28

I think that Ann is fabulous but I think she may fall down by not pushing herself.
Tilly has the vision but lacks the skill level.

Put the two as a pair and I think you'd have a fabulous team with great garments.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 04/04/2013 10:35

Oh, you would!

Can someone tell me ... the lass who had to go, was it just me being ignorant, but I didn't see what was so bad about her dress? I'd have worn it! It was gorgeous colours and I could see it gaped a bit but to be honest, loads of shop-bought wrap dresses do that too. It seemed much less of a glaring error than the bloke who made the crooked dress out of patchwork fabric.

SoupDragon · 04/04/2013 10:38

I think it hadn't been properly executed and also didn't fit properly.

There were other mistakes in her other garments but I don't think she was worse than any of the other elimination candidates though.

SoupDragon · 04/04/2013 10:39

The silk had stretched badly and it had ended up too low cut.

SoupDragon · 04/04/2013 10:40

I think Camp Bloke with the wonky green dress should have been the one to go too.

I was delighted that the Steampunk guy got through - I think he was disadvantaged by the type of garments he had to make.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 04/04/2013 10:42

Yes, I thought that. And I did think it was a bit tough that all the clothes were for women, even the white top. They really could have gone and bought a couple of men's T-shirts for that bit.

I want Steampunk guy to come good, he seems nice.

SoupDragon · 04/04/2013 10:44

Next week has trousers I believe.

LRDtheFeministDragon · 04/04/2013 11:09

Yes, I saw the trailer. Grin

LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance · 04/04/2013 11:09

Ambridge would the book you linked to be good for me? I'm a funny shape, tummy-wise, because of a mahoosive fibroid? Would it show me how to fit a skirt over the lump?

I used to sew a lot but then stopped when you couldn't get decent fabric for sensible prices. I've just dusted off my Mum's Pfaff!

Counting down to the hysterectomy in October!

LetUsPrey · 04/04/2013 12:29

The last time I did proper sewing was in needlework class at school. I remember making a skirt. I also used to make clothes for my dolls using patterns from my mum's/grandma's pattern box.

I've just remembered our local market used to sell fabric with an already elasticated waist IYSWIM. All you had to do was sew a seam up the back and hem it. I recall doing a few of those in the early 80s!

I'm more of a knitter though.

I thought Stuart was going to go rather than Michelle too.

From what I could see from the trailer for next week, it looks like hot Judge Patrick makes Ann cry.

RueDeWakening · 04/04/2013 12:32

If you want a book about drafting patterns and altering them to suit, try this book: Metric pattern cutting that's the ladies version but there are menswear and children's versions too.

Ambridge · 04/04/2013 13:20

LetsFace, sorry, just logged back in (work does get in the way of these essential conversations Grin) - yes, I'm sure that book would be useful. The thing is, they show you how to take your own measurements and then draft your own pattern on paper - in really simple steps. It's basically a matter of marking and then connecting dots in the right proportions to draw out the shape, which, because it's based on your figure, should be tailored to you.

I'm a funny shape it seems, since conventional patterns never seem to quite fit, so it was great for that.

purples · 04/04/2013 13:58

LRD you asked me what pattern for a beginner. I'm probably a very bad person to ask. At school I was forced to sew an "easy" gypsy style blouse; but it was not a style that suited me, the paper pattern was too big, I was just told to cut out the smallest size, I had no idea how to alter it and I was given horrible fabric. It was an embarrassing disaster!!! Blush The first thing I actually choose to sew was a 1940s style fitted blouse with peterpan collar. I fell in love with the picture and the pattern was free with a magazine. It was probably a bit ambitious, looking back I was very naive about my lack of skills but the instructions were very clear and and I followed them to the letter, it took a while but it actually turned out very well. Grin Fortunately, by accident, I choose a nice easy to sew fabric. I wore it for years. The most important thing is to sew something you love the look of, in an easy to sew fabric that you love!

purples · 04/04/2013 14:05

Just read the post that it's trousers next week, That's one thing I've never had the confidence to try so I will be watching with interest.
And as to that Patrick making Ann cry, I'll be really sorry to see her upset!Sad

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 04/04/2013 14:34

I have been waiting impatiently for this programme ever since I saw the first trailer, and I wasn't disappointed - although I am not a huge fan of Claudia Winkelmann, and would have preferred Mel and Sue, or someone else of their ilk presenting it - which would have been way too GBBO-does-sewing, I know.

I am completely Envy about the sewing room - especially them having the big tables to do their cutting out on, and that huge stash of fabrics and ribbons etc - what wouldn't I give for some time alone in that room with a few big carrier bags!!

In my dream home, the one I will build when I win the lottery, I have a big craft/sewing room/library - with a big table for cutting out, and for other art projects like painting or decoupatch, lots of storage for yarn and fabric and all my other craft stuff, acres of shelving for all my books, a corner with a pc in it so I can access patterns and online tutorials and mumsnet, and another corner with comfy chairs and a tv (and maybe a woodburning stove) so I have somewhere I can watch tv whilst knitting or doing hand sewing. The room has a kitchenette and small bathroom adjoining, so basically I would only need to leave it in order to interact with my family or go to bed!!

I have the fabric to make three skirts and some cushion covers, and I have a red velvet dress I made when I was pregnant with ds1, that I'd like to make into a skirt - and I really hope that this programme will give me the kick up the (nicely tailored) pants inspiration that I need!

LetUsPrey · 04/04/2013 14:53

And I shall bring you tea SDTG!

Even as a non-sewer, the shelves of fabrics and ribbons made me a bit drooly Grin

LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance · 04/04/2013 14:56

Ambridge thanks for the reply. I'll invest in one - especially as I've just bought a pattern (for DH) for the first time in years - HOW much?!!

I sounded like my own mother.Grin

LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance · 04/04/2013 14:57

Ooops - a shirt pattern for DH.

Though I think there is actually a gap in the market for a 'sew your own DH pattern' Wink

nipersvest · 04/04/2013 14:58

i enjoyed it, patrick is rather easy on the eye Wink, tilly is a bit annoying, liked lauren, claudia needs to lay off on so much eye liner.

a shame the laundry bag tute was so rushed, i have a degree in textile design and couldn't follow it!

LetUsPrey · 04/04/2013 15:15

The laundry bag pattern, and I'm assuming future weeks' how to patterns, is in the corresponding issue of the Radio Times.

LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance · 04/04/2013 15:20

And the material they used is in Calico on City Road, Cardiff. Though I don't expect that's where they got it from.

I was fingering it earlier - they had lots of other prints to mix in with it and I was pondering dining room curtains, table runner, napkins etc but I got confused and had to leave. Confused

cate16 · 04/04/2013 15:37

RueDeWakening - I have that book.. the 1975 first edtion :o

RubyGates · 04/04/2013 15:46

I think this is the pattern they used for the A-line skirt:
mccallpattern.mccall.com/m3341-products-6977.php?page_id=113

I caught a glimpse of a pattern piece and it said McCalls. As this is the only A-line skirt pattern in the range it must be it.

I might have a go.
I very rarely make grown-up clothes, just corsets and costumes and wedding stuff.
I can't do zips for toffee.

MrsPennyapple · 04/04/2013 15:58

Simplicity sewing patterns are half price at the moment, only until 10th April I think.

I've just bought three patterns for £6 at my local craft shop, but DD was getting grumpy so I had to stop there. I'm about to look at their website HERE and note down any more pattern numbers I like, so that I can go and buy those too Grin

My job for tonight is tidy up my craft room! I was given some Clothkits dresses for DD a while ago, I might crack on with one of those if I have the energy after she's in bed.