Sewing Bee 2021, thread 2

[dillite]

Sorry, couldn't think of a clever title

I agree Samcro... maybe because I've seen shower curtains like that so couldn't move past that!

It made me realise the GBBO has two pre-practised tasks (the signature and the showstopper) with only one unseen (the technical). For Sewing Bee, the first task is unseen and under time pressure and the second task is generally bonkers and if you don't get in first with the fabric choices you're screwed so then you only really get to shine in the last task.

That's true - but at least for the first task in the Bee you get a full set of instructions with no guesswork needed. On Bake Off, they have useful instructions such as 'make the dough' and 'bake'.
The first task on Bee is generally much easier than the technical on Bake Off - they haven't yet asked them to do anything a confident beginner couldn't do- the thing that makes the challenges harder is the time they're given. Technically, they've been straightforward. On Bake Off, they make they do some fiendishly difficult things, with a fair amount of guesswork/intuition needed.

Adam's was worse, sewing wise.

Sorry, that was to Samcro.

@iklboo

Selena is not smug at all. Why do we have to denigrate a young woman for being good at something?

It's depressing, isn't it? She's perfectly pleasant, gets on with the task in hand without fuss, and is unostentatiously proud of herself when she does well.

Sadly, the same is meted out for every young, competent woman who dares to go on reality TV and not be a self-denigrating ditz.

And it's really fucking tedious.

Serena has beautiful taste and talent. I love the clothes she dresses in herself and her choice of fabrics are always so well put together.

I think she looks like she wants to grin, and tries to suppress it. I'd grin if I came first and had those lovely comments too!

@knittingaddict

I don't see smug either. Maybe it says more about you if you interpret a smile as smug and the vast majority of others don't.

Yes, it seems like standard jealousy, put down a talented and physically good looking woman for the crime of being both talented and good looking.

@PolkadotsAndMoonbeams

I think she looks like she wants to grin, and tries to suppress it. I'd grin if I came first and had those lovely comments too!

This is what I think, she's being gracious in victory. I'd be doing laps of the sewing room with my shirt over my head.

I just think that she isn't a loud character, she could be shy, hence looking a little awkward at times, and it's refreshing to have someone on there who is just plain good at what she does.

And isn't ticking a box for 'noisy and expressive personality'
She's only 21, please let's not call her smug.

Here she is... she is 4 years into studying for a medical degree!

www.thegreatbritishsewingbee.co.uk/sewers/series7/serena

I’ve seen some right smuggery on bake off but sewing bee? Not so.

They all just seem genuinely chuffed for others and for managing to make it through/produce anything themselves

There were two I found unbearably smug on GBBO. Aye they were youngish and pretty but they were also hella smug to me.

Here? They just seem like good eggs

With Peter winning the Bake Off, they have some very talented students up there! Ballroom dancing Alex last series was also at the University of Edinburgh.

@Binglebong

Why praise the white on one and be critical of it on another?

I thought exactly the same. If one pale set is too light to stand up to the rigours of toddlerdom, then so is the other! (which Patrick praised to the skies).

Liked the dinosaur one best.

So did I, Jellycat. nd I'm another who thought that Farie took that material. I was surprised how well her African material looked as a romper, though - I thought the pattern was far to big for little people, but she made a smashing job of it (but not as nice as the dinosaurs).

@Smidge001

What's with calling poppers 'snaps'??? It's really annoying me. . They're poppers aren't they?

YES, the bloody are!

@Binglebong

I dont think many would have passed as unisex for a child that age. It shouldn't matter but I can't imagine many boys wearing the unicorn mane.

I thought exactly the same. In theory it's unisex - in practice, out little lads would have refused to wear it.

Adam has really grown on me over the weeks, he is such a cheerful positive life force. So sorry to see him go. I would however have said bye to Adeena quite happily, she seems to have a disaster every week

Agree with both of these statements. Adam is one of the most consistently likeable people I've seen on TV. And Adeena escapes by the skin of her teeth every week.

[quote Roussette]Here she is... she is 4 years into studying for a medical degree!

www.thegreatbritishsewingbee.co.uk/sewers/series7/serena[/quote]
She will make an excellent surgeon.

I was surprised how well her African material looked as a romper, though - I thought the pattern was far to big for little people

I agree. I thought it was never going to work but she placed the pattern perfectly.

Tiny merail.

roussette The folks are vertical. My inner core of cow is possibly (only possibly though) shrinking to calf size.

Ta for not rising to my inner cow. I’d have been broken if I’d have had a ding dong on here this week. It has been my sanity and sanctuary this week more than most.

You know what? This is one of the loveliest things on tv. It's about creativity and skill and a love of clothes. Joe is funny and quick without it being at the expense of the contestants. Patrick and Esme find positive things to say about most garments and criticism is never personal.
I'm agreeing with my lovely friend @SheldonesqueTheBstard and others. Let's keep this kind as well....

Oh maireas you know I’m not lovely but you are lovely to me anyway.

I don’t know why but that made my eyes go. You bugger. My friend x

@SheldonesqueTheBstard x
You are one of the funniest and kindest posters on here. I actually spat out coffee reading one of your posts last week!!
Love you xx

@Maireas

You know what? This is one of the loveliest things on tv. It's about creativity and skill and a love of clothes. Joe is funny and quick without it being at the expense of the contestants. Patrick and Esme find positive things to say about most garments and criticism is never personal. I'm agreeing with my lovely friend *@SheldonesqueTheBstard* and others. Let's keep this kind as well....

I much prefer this thread to the SB groups I have just left on FB. They were a constant stream of whinging and what people didn't like on the show (and more than a hint of thinly veiled racism). What I like about the Bee is that the contestants don't come across as being in competition with each other, while wanting to do their best if course, and as the weeks go on I don't want any of them to leave because I like them all.

@MoonCatcher - well put. They do seem really kind to each other. It's about trying to do your best work, measured against the task set, not each other.

They do all seem to really get on, don't they? Was it Rebecca who offered to console a contestant who'd had a bad week as they were in rooms next to each other at the hotel?