Sewing Bee 2021, thread 2

[dillite]

Sorry, couldn't think of a clever title

@SheldonesqueTheBstard

We may be at cross purposes on some 'stuff' but you're a star, keep on posting.

I'll raise a to you, plus a whilst I'm at it!

What I like on this and the pottery throwdown is that people help each other. They explain bits of the patterns if someone is confused. On the pottery one they share tools and help lift heavy parts of clay about. It would be so easy to have a whole load of people who are so utterly focused on winning that they won't help each other because that would help "the enemy".

roussette. You’ll have to drink for me as I’m on call - hope that isn’t too much of a hardship.

This place would be dead dry without different opinions. I do like that we can have our say and all is still well. Cheers m’dear.

And aye. Absolutely terry. I love that the piece - whether it be pots or garments - is the competitive element. It isn’t gladiators (arrrre yooooouuu readddddy) and I would ruddy hate it if they were sneaky and snipping hems, nicking buttons or slyly unplugging a sewing machine at a crucial moment. Or turning their back if someone was having a moment or a nightmare.

The camaraderie makes it for me too.

I still like Damien’s raincoat. I see the shower curtain in it. And also the matching resin lavvy seat... classy

maireas. I have no stain remover for coffee. 💜

I love the camaraderie and I hope the powers that be recognise that. We dont like hard competition with programmes like this.

Has anyone been watching the jewellery thing? I've only just watched the last few episodes, and final coming up.

Sheldon I need no encouragement! Cheers!

Loving the jewellery one - they seem to be supportive there also. My favourite went out early doors - but i was only judging her on the beautiful neck collar thing she wore.

I wish they would get adequate time to complete things. That is my girn. Their passion is their craft and to complete a task well (in whatever) is their wish.

GBBO has gone down the wrong route I feel. Where you can only complete the task well or in time with a pastry chef up your pinny, the love of the oven gods and the blessings of the fairy cake fairies written on Holy grease proof paper.

It must be crushing.

I want to see the love in it. The skill. A group of people egging eachother on to shine.

And aye. It is ruddy poppers. Snaps is wot crocodiles do.

Ooh you are a lovely lot here! Cheers 🥂🍻

I've just remembered I made my dog raincoat out of a fabric shower curtain (I wanted something I could fit in a pocket). He was not impressed.

I'm enjoying the jewellery one as well, there's a thread on it. The competitors are so lovely, I don't mind who wins.

I loved the arts and crafts house thing that was on a couple of years ago. That really was about working together.

The time jeopardy thing really bugs me. Everything would still be tight but so much less rushed with 50% more time. Hell, the made to measure would take me a month, never mind 5 hours, sometimes.

I'm making some Jersey jammies, at the moment. Using patterns I've made loads of times - tilly and the buttons Stella joggers and frankie top (simplified, with straight hem). In 8 hours, I've prepared the fabric, cut it all out, assembled and attached the pockets, stitched and finished the long seams of the bottoms and the raglan seams of the top. Pressing and cutting took me almost 3 hours (and I still have a bit of a pattern wobble where it must have stretched on the ironing board.) the neckband will take me a full morning (in between life and stuff) because it's never right first time and I find it less frustrating to hand baste first and the rest will still take me about 4 hours even though I can do it all without checking instructions. I spend far more time pinning and pressing than I do stitching.

I have to use the dining table at home for cutting out so use scissors not a cutting wheel - if you have the right equipment and the space, etc it's a lot easier and quicker. Also I haven't seen anyone cutting out the pattern pieces before they can get started.

Same here. I have an A0 cutting board but that isn't big enough for things like trouser legs (and, obviously, dresses, though I don't wear them)

In my yoof I could cut on the floor but that boat sailed about 18 years ago. I need to make some big curtains so will have no choice but it'll take a lot of painkillers and a lot of rests to manage it.

And, if it's made to measure, they won't be able to pre-cut everything. That normally only applies to the final when they make something for a friend or partner.

Talking of which, I reckon final 3 will be Serena, Raph and either Farie or Rebecca.

Bugger! Wrong thread! I’ll get it removed

@GlassBoxSpectacular

Bugger! Wrong thread! I’ll get it removed

I want to know what the book is now!

Me too!

‘Troubled Blood’, by Robert Galbraith [J K Rowling]

It’s just been awarded The Bookseller’s ‘Crime Book of the Year’

Well worth a read

Oh fantastic, I love that book too

@MoltenLasagne

Oh fantastic, I love that book too

It’s fantastic, isn’t it? I love all of the Strike books, but this is my absolute favourite so far.

[apologies for detailing the thread - I’ll stick to Sewing Bee from here on!]

I don’t care if you’ve derailed. Tis fabulous news.

Good on ye JK, good on ye

Just caught up with you lovely lot.

Damian is the epitome of “god, grant me the confidence of a mediocre man” isn’t he? I bet he never asks for directions or consults a map either.

Serena is brilliant. I love Rebecca and Farie, Raph is great with fabric but I don’t warm to him. Adeena is there by the skin of her teeth, isn’t she? She seems to hang on not because she’s good but because others have messed up more.

The play suit with the lemon fabric was gorgeous. I’d have spent a fortune buying that as a gift.

GlassBoxSpectacular
Thank you for that info. Another book to read- Yay !

@PickAChew

And, if it's made to measure, they won't be able to pre-cut everything. That normally only applies to the final when they make something for a friend or partner.

Talking of which, I reckon final 3 will be Serena, Raph and either Farie or Rebecca.

Definitely 3 of those 4 although the one I'm less sure about now is Raph. He started off well but seems to have fallen back now. Part of me would like to see Damien in the final just to see what his girlfriend looks like, as his women's wear always seems a bit off. Will she be wearing tassels and braid or be immaculately dressed and shaking her head at Damian saying "I told you to leave off the ric rac"

Adeena is there by the skin of her teeth, isn’t she? She seems to hang on not because she’s good but because others have messed up more.

Yes. I think this is often the case with the middling contestants. They all get picked off eventually with the order being fairly unimportant.

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.

So right!

And they all seem genuinely upset to lose one of their number, too. When you think, especially at a time like this, they must really bond together during the Bee, and for one to leave is a huge wrench.

It's just so heartwarming.

You know, in spite of all the horrors we see and read about, most people are really kind and just want to be friendly, enjoy doing something they're good at, and sharie a passion for their craft.