Sewing Bee is back

[Cocolapew]

Wednesday 24th May at 9pm 🥳

I've sewn knickers and a bikini top using just a basic sewing machine and a zigzag stitch. They're still in great condition 2 years on. Sewing knickers is brilliant as you can use up your jersey scraps , you just need to buy fold over elastic for the waistband and you're good to go.

I use maraflex sometimes. Most recently to stitch in the ditch for a trousers waistband. It is expensive thread though.

I use my overlocker a lot. As well as using it on stretch fabrics I use it to finis seams on woven fabrics and the narrow hem or rolled hem on it is great for finishing hems of chiffons and thin fabrics.
I just don't like Matthew's sewing and I feel the programme tries to include more men even poor sewers rather than having more people who can actually sew more than 1 item.
I think they should all have a similar size model to make it fairer

I have one of the £99 Lidl ones and either something is wrong with it or wrong with me. I bought it about 8 years ago and it worked OK for a while although I couldn't do the fancy stuff. My ordinary sewing machine does quite a good overlock stitch so I think I'll put the overlocker on Freecycle and regain the space under my sewing table.

I have made several pairs of Megan Neillson Acacia pants with an ordinary machine. They are very comfy pants. You will find plenty of helpful information on YouTube about ways to apply the elastic.

No, don't go away halsall! Sewing chat welcome. I know nothing about sewing but like the fuzzy warmth of these shows.

Never heard of maraflex- I'll forget the name but know to come here when I need it again!

OMG... People the overlocker does things I did not know we're possible. It was so worth going on the workshop. I can now overlock curves, rethread, blind hem. Most importantly I am not scared by it anymore.

Tomorrow I am going to practice and practice some more. I have several boxy jumpers that are getting flat locked external darts, rolled hemmed serviettes and a dress to make up. YaY.

I'm really pleased that you now love your overlocker! Which course did you do? There was one at new craft house that was local to me but I never have a full day free on the weekend so did the online one instead.

@FriendsDrinkBook it was at a local sewing store. Their work shops are really good. And afterwards you can pop in if you come up against stitching block. Super helpful people.

does it take ages to set a over locker up? all that cotton

It does the first time you do it , but it's done in a minute or two once you know how. Also , I don't always rethread to change colours , I sometimes just snip the old threads off at the top and tie on the 4 new colours. I then pull them through until all I can see is the new colour.

Mine came threaded and the recommended way to change colours is to pull it through as @FriendsDrinkBook said. Others have fancy air threaders.

why did Gillie make such a plain costume, despite the pattern.

I have no idea, plus Patrick and Esme reinforced what the brief was about so did warn her.

I doubt that there was much Gillie could do about it by the time they warned her. She couldn't magic up a different pattern or material.

I get the impression Gillie is rather stubborn!

The article I posted upthread was an insight. She actually said in her audition that she made , iirc, a washbag faster than others. But she said also that it would never normally be how she would work. I think the rushing came as a shock!

I actually really liked her swimsuit - it just was so not in the spirit of the brief. It was just about the only one that actually looked supportive , though!

No, but she could have got a bit creative with binding or added some sort of detail.

I agree, @Piggywaspushed

It annoyed me that Gillie’s binding was just on the front - you would think she would take it all the way round to the back. It still wouldn’t fit the brief, but it would have looked a lot better on its own terms

i hated how Patrick did the look about her plain costume,
so edited and contrived!

I think if Gillie had had the binding front and back she'd have stayed this week because she wasn't the worst of all of them. It was her stubbornness and refusal to listen to what was being said that did for her. I also don't understand why on earth she thought that using an interesting fabric equated to what they were asking for. I sometimes feel sorry for the person who goes because you know they just had a bad day or got something messed up and would normally do better but Gillie was her own worst enemy and the master of her own downfall. I'm sure she's a lovely woman but she behaved like a damn fool when it came to listening to anything that was said to her.

I just found out last night that it was back so excited!

Watched two episodes to get up to date.

Liked everyone but went off Matthew when he almost broke into tears at one point. Just pull yourself together, man! Prior to that I like the way he channeled his inner Bet Lynch.

Loved the way they all rallied round Catherine when she had her disaster. (This is what makes the show for me)

My hot tips are Tony R and Asmaa, but TBH it could be anyone's. Everyone seemed to pull something out of the bag at one time or another.

Yes - I thought that was a very unusual name and kept thinking of Faure (of requiem fame).

I think Asmaa is great - doctors always seem to do well on this, it's the attention to detail. Tony postman is also very good.

I agree with you @Maireas.
Asmaa is a very talented sewer. Calm under time pressure too. So unlike me on both counts 😩😀

😂

Asma is a bit like the 2020's winner Clare - both surgeons and very precise and methodical.

I said that to Mr Viper.

I wondered if they practised techniques on the patients - a lovely french seam hidden away on a gall bladder etc. (I bliddy LOVED Clare - and her mum!)