Yay! Sewing Bee is back!

[Roussette]

Does anyone else watch it? Or is it just me...

I love it because it reminds me of another life when I used to sew (before the DC's came along and before I lost the footpedal to my sewing machine in a house move).

The contestants are just so talented and I like the beardy man judge too. Anyone else?

Any one else think Cliff left because he came last in the second challenge?
Or is that just me

I think Jane left on week two didn't she?

Loved it.

I think trim woman will go far.

I love the yorkshire lad.

Policeman came back from the brink with quite a good nightie (better than I could do anyway)

I quite liked the diamanté one but the lace up was wow (shame she didn't finish it)

Deaf lady's would have been nice finished as well.

Do you know if they link the patterns they used anywhere? I'm rubbish at finding patterns, I get very little inspriration from pattern books.

It could be the other way around, Funnyfoot -- that Cliff had been feeling ill before they started filming and that was why he'd messed up the first two challenges quite so badly.

And I think CLiff left because he realised he was out of his depth.

One was Colette Cinnamon.

www.colettepatterns.com/sewing/cinnamon

I like policeman... modest he is..

I went to school with Simon!

This is very exciting, I have been watching on the laptop tonight though because there are some men kicking a ball about tonight and it is very important apparently.

I'm looking forward to this series, looks a bit more serious than last year - silk! In episode one!!

Wow Mrs K! He looks so young which makes you young too old boiler who used to sew lots talking here

Waves, I luff the Winkleman and will be having non of that Winkle bashing!

BTW you can buy the scooter fabric in Abakhan

Am watching this after you lot because I recorded it!

Chicky you NEED to tell us who your friend is so we can cheer for them!

I quite liked the skirt before they attacked it.

The silk challenge was a bit of a beast.

IDon'tDislikeAnyOfThemTiggaxx

Roussette you are very kind!! I may have omitted the fact that I was at 6th form with him, and in the year above him!

I don't sew garments yet, I don't have room for dressmaking & all my knitting stuff too. Once we have a bigger house, there wil be no stopping me & my crafting!!!

The Thrifty Stitcher may have details of patterns etc. if she's involved behind the scenes again this season.

Lovely to see this back on again.

I've just been rereading and enjoying last year's thread.

I think I missed a bit - why is policeman on crutches?

I was surprised that so many of them didn't finish - I can't remember this in the last series (but then it may have been the same in the early stages).

Then again, I would spend at least an hour drooling over the fabrics and trying to make my mind up as to which one to use.

What happens to the garments afterwards ? Do they get donated anywhere as it would be a waste otherwise.

Just caught up with it and the thread. A silk nightie in week 1 - Crikey what will they have to make in week 8. Felt bad for Cliff. Not really liking any of them yet except the young man, Simon I think, and the police man (name?) and the lady who doesn't use patterns, Chil-something and the deaf lady. Will hopefully know their names by week 3.

Policeman is on crutches after an operation on his foot or leg I think.

Has anyone found me the dog pin cushion yet? Or is it a personal item of one of the contestants...?

I'll sew you one immediately OwlC
(luv the name BTW!)

:) I saw the name on a picture at the Renegade craft fair in London last November.

I have already googled patterns - I want to incorporate a tape measure which I think the s
Sewing Bee dog is wearing as a collar. I've seen a vintage one on Etsy where the tape comes out of the dogs mouth. Not sure how to do that - I'd need a retractable tape. I have the perfect woollen fabric for it!

I know this was only the first week, but already it seems more of an open contest than last year. My Mum was a trained seamstress and from what she passed on to me it seemed pretty obvious that Ann had the range of skills to win from the very start. So far I like Tamara who had the sense to realise she hasn't executed the brief in the first task and knuckled down to the rest, Simon for his knowledge and love of fabric, Heather who seems very sensible and David for giving it a go whilst recovering from his op. The rest I'm sure will grow on me.

I do know someone who applied to go on, she is an excellent home sewer and has a good basis in tailoring. She got the impression they were casting for types of sewer I.E novice, bohemian etc. She was called to interview, but sadly didn't get any further.

I wish they would do mini-tutorials and like the woman who said what she was doing as she did it. (The one who wanted a bucket of wine )

I also wish they were given longer to make their garments. Some of them would have been lovely with a couple more hours.

I'd say it was a more varied mix of contestants, some of whom appear to have taken it up relatively recently and are overall less experienced than last year's batch. No obvious WI stereotypes. Would still like to see more general sewing projects included though - curtains , blinds, cushions , accessories etc - as I think viewers might find that more relevant and achievable if starting out.

They've tightened up the criteria from last year -- IIRC last year you couldn't have worked full-time as a dressmaker, pattern-cutter, etc. in the last 20 years (which let in Ann who had been a professional for years, knew everything there was to know, but had been retired for so long that she qualified under the 20-year rule). This year they were taking no chances and made it "ever worked full-time..."

The Sewing Directory is listing all the fabrics used and guides to the techniques but no links to the actual patterns used as yet (although there are links to a selection of other patterns to try).