Sewing Bee is coming back!

[NutellaEllaElla]

Wednesday 27th April, 9pm, BBC 1.

I'll be away for weeks 2&3 which is unfortunate.

This is one of the best series, I think. There has been nobody who didn't deserve to be there.

It probably is.

I was only jesting anyway, as when it's her choice it tends to be the same style. Give her own programme and she'd be able to dress the whole homestead. (In very well sewn clothes.) Least until the fashion changes anyway.

Clare Bradley won it, and her style was 1940s for everything.

I liked her style. Nicole's style was very different and some people might have preferred that but, in the end, it was all about the best sewing. As it should be.

Clare's style was more palatable because it was "classic" and much more plain.

I loved Clare's style but I have seen it described as frumpy.

It's not frumpy, it's chic - tastes differ!
I think the Little House on the Prairie look is more frumpy, those tiered skirts and huge frilly collars. It's all subjective, though and there's room for all styles!
I don't like Brogan's style, but can appreciate her sewing skills.

What was Brogan's Bowie-inspired outfit like? I don't think I have a recollection of it?

Watching series 1 for the first time. I prefer the old format. More focus on sewing techniques and proficiency and less on the contestants and less desire to have wacky contestants for the sake of it. Claudia isn't distracting them with nonsense all the time either. I also prefer the middle challenge as it tests their sewing ability not just their ability to glue stuff together in a creative but no one would really wear it sort of way. Is that Tilly fro Tilly and the Buttons? Will have to google. Ive done a few of her patterns.
Maybe the newer versions appeal more to non sewers as less sewing technique content

@2Rebecca yes that's Tilly walnes of tatb and Lauren from that series has a fabric shop in Birmingham , she's also on Instagram often giving sewing hints and tips. They're both really successful.

I agree wholeheartedly 2rebecca

Alas it seems to be the path to trudge along for a lot of programmes in this vein. The skills should speak for themselves. And for folk like me who struggle with things like hems and buttons, a wee bit of how to bits would be very welcome.

I do like Sara now and I wasn’t expecting to. I loved Joe. But it is the Bee. Not the presenter show. And it is almost ‘look at meeeee’ and I want to see sewing.

There must be a whole heap of folk who sew like angels are working their fingers. And a lot of those folk might think they aren’t ‘speshul’ enough to be on here.

It isn’t about being out there. It isn’t about being a good face for the telly or a book. It isn’t about being a character or having a backstory. It is about sewing beautifully.

And if that means a beautifully darned sock or repaired torn sleeve for the challenge then I’m in.

It ain’t about blobbing glue on to make something to sit on a mannequin.

I get a bit grumpy about it all.

and I loved Bletchley Clare. She was bob on.

Sheldon I agree with you on all your points - I was surprised to see someone put glue on the fabric during the transformation challenge! I also think that they look for "characters" rather than the best stitchers, possibly?
Bletchley Clare (great term) was excellent, she seems to be challenging herself to repurpose clothing, which is the opposite of fast fashion.
A respite from her demanding hospital consultancy as well, no doubt.
I think they need to be careful to avoid gimmicks because it's a lovely programme.

I would also like to see more emphasis on sewing. How does a sewing bee programme lose that? 🤷‍♀️

Some excellent contestants this year. I think Brogan is very impressive. I struggled to get past her girlyness at first, but I’ve come to like her. She has started video blogs on YouTube that are good. I think she could win this year. Annie is another contender for me.

I just bought the most recent Sewing Bee book which has most of the pattern challenges from the recent series. My logic was that if if I worked through each challenge I'd eventually be a master sewer.

Hell no! The challenges are properly tricky to do perfectly and we only see a version of it on screen. I really wish they'd show more of the construction so I could copy it, but it's really interesting trying it from the other side - it's really hard in the time!

@BookShark which patterns does the book have? It's hard to find a list online! Also , is it traceable patterns with free pdfs like you'd expect?

@DoubleGauze these are the patterns. It tends to be one which was the challenge (e.g. shirred dress) and then a couple of other patterns using the same technique.
The patterns themselves are all printed but you'd need to trace them or photocopy them as they're all overlapping. If there is a pdf, I haven't found it yet!
To be fair, the instructions are pretty well written, it would just be helpful to be able to see a bit more of how they did them in the show.

Thanks @BookShark , that's really helpful.

So the book is actually good value then , lots to do in there. The only disappointing thing is the lack of pdf. I tried to trace the pattern when I got the tilly and the buttons make it simple book , but completely lost patience with it and ordered the patterns in A0 online in the end!

Even in the first two weeks?...

Watching the early series it's interesting to see how the series has changed. I much prefer the earlier series as they seem to focus much more on sewing technique that weeds out the one trick pony sewists who can only do certain things and only do them their way. There is much more focus on the sewing too.
The judges were stricter and gave more honest feedback although maybe they toned it down as in the first 2 series they lost a contestant in the first week as they couldn't cope with the stress and being criticised.
I really like the series 1 Christmas special. No competition but lots of ideas for Christmas decorations and Patrick made a great reindeer appliqué Christmas jumper

Yes. There was nobody totally hopeless or anybody there just to be a wacky character.

maybe they toned it down as in the first 2 series they lost a contestant in the first week as they couldn't cope with the stress and being criticised.

If it's the contestant I'm thinking of I was surprised he was on in the first place - I really think that he ducked out because when he saw the standard he was up against he realised that he was going to totally humiliate himself.

He was into meditation and at one with the universe IIRC, so he should have been able to absorb a bit of stress.

Ready for tonight. Couldn't watch last week or do catch up as was away but ready to go tonight!

Evening all

Quarter finals mean's it's nearly over though 🙁

1930s! Love this era.