Great British Sewing Bee - two burning questions

[Chamomileteaplease]

I have wondered these for ages - please help .

1 Why do the contestants always wear the same clothes for both days? Surely they would be all sweaty from the day before? What is the point? I don't get it!

2 Does anyone know how they film it ie do they do it over several weekends? Does everyone go back to their families each week? It would be exhausting if they just stayed in London for two weeks sewing every day wouldn't it?!

Any answers gratefully received.

I've been enjoying rewatching the old series and, whilst I don't object to Joe, I do think Claudia was better. I also think Mae was better than Esme, because her approach was always very practical and she did make an effort to point out something good even in the most disastrous sews.

I have just been rewatching series 1 and is it just me or did they get longer for challenges? It feels like there was much more of an emphasis on perfect finishes.

I much prefer the original transformation - more about manageable alterations to change the look of (the same) outfit that just weird wackiness. And again, because the transformations were not so out there they could be better finished.

The transformation challenge is rubbish. None of the garments ever look wearable.

I like the chemistry between Esme, Patrick and Joe. I love Esme's input into what makes something fashionable and sexy. It's nice to see that coming from an older woman.

Patrick looks like an old school Hollywood star in some of the earlier series. Very debonair.

@Ulysses

The transformation challenge is rubbish. None of the garments ever look wearable.

I like the chemistry between Esme, Patrick and Joe. I love Esme's input into what makes something fashionable and sexy. It's nice to see that coming from an older woman.

Patrick looks like an old school Hollywood star in some of the earlier series. Very debonair.

Exactly. Series 1 transformation challenge is much more aimed at the audience and showing how you could jazz up garments ie: add pockets to a skirt or change the neckline on a top. These days it feels like wasting random fabrics that most people won't have (parachutes???) making freeform that require vision. I would have No idea where to start on a current show but could see myself getting inspiration from the early shows.

I guess they are less interested in the whole people all over the country taking up sewing vibe.

Ooh can I ask where are you watching the old seasons of it?

They are all on iPlayer now.

I guess they are less interested in the whole people all over the country taking up sewing vibe.
Totally agree with this.
They are getting really high calibre entrants now, and while in some ways that’s amazing to see their skills, it’s also completely disempowering to watch.
I used to think, right i’m going to try and make something like x after watching.
Now i just feel like I’d better not bother because it’ll be crap.

I like Joe but I liked Claudia as well. I think they both bring something different too it. I was sad when she left but I think Joe has made it his own as well.

I know a PP said the challenges seemed harder in previous series, I wonder if actually it’s because the standard of sewers is better now and they have practiced things more as they know more about what might come up so it seems like the challenges are easier.
I agree with the transformation challenge comments, most of it is unwearable and I seems to be a bit pointless. ‘Wacky’ for the sake of it.
The point about how long they have is interesting as well, I’ve thought that. I think the producers think it makes better television if they don’t have that long and are stressed and not finishing on time.

I much prefer Joe to Claudia and I just LOVE Esme!!

@Ulysses

They are all on iPlayer now.

Ooh I'm off wotk next week so I know what I'll be doing. I have also come late to this.

Is Esme not in the earlier ones then? I love her.

The point about how long they have is interesting as well, I’ve thought that. I think the producers think it makes better television if they don’t have that long and are stressed and not finishing on time.

There is definitely less "drama" though you still get people starting cutting later than others, having to unlock etc. There seems to be a higher level of inspection of the details - I watched one where they took a garment of the model to look inside. The last episode I watched they also let them start the made to measure at the end of the first day because it was so challenging. Don't remember seeing that in the most recent series.