Sewing Bee 2024 thread 2 - 5 down, 7 to go!

[SoupDragon]

The other thread was getting too slow (and we were running out of space faster than the thread on a bobbin)

alexandrakmakes is Alex's and suzysankeystudio is Suzy’s.

Ailsalyall for Ailsa.

Sewlukeivo is Luke

pash_makes is Pascha

I think Suzy's dress (the one she was wearing) would have been better in a lighter fabric.

I don't think Ailsa is that bad a sewer I jus think she's very hit and miss. The wide trousers she did in Riveria week were perfection and that was a hard job. Last night she was dreadful in the first two rounds but even though her sewing let her down badly in the last round but I thought her dress was the most interesting and if if had been done correctly would have been my garment of the week. Obviously, it wasn't done correctly so it wasn't my garment of the week. I'd probably have given that to Alex because although I like Pascha's there was something a bit wrinkled about the boob area.

It was a relief that most of them finished the pattern challenge this week because that's been getting so tiresome. I was sad to see Marcus go but given that I liked what Ailsa was going or and that I think she has genuine talent, plus the fact that unlike last week Suzy did manage to just about pull if off for the first time in a while, it was probably right that he went although I liked what he was trying to do as well. Luke's was the most underwhelming and quite badly done. He clearly hadn't practised the pleats in the bra area of the corset and as a result they looked almost comical. The skirt was far too long as well.

My three for the final at the moment are Alex, Pascha and - if she can get back on track - Ailsa. Of course, anyone no matter how good can have a bad week and they're toast but they're the only three who have put in some really good work either sewing or design or both. I'd guess that Pascha is slightly ahead at the moment.

A highlights of previous series popped up on my Facebook. The standards were so much higher in the past.

Even though I really liked Pascha's dress something similar made by Asmaa popped up which looked better somehow.

thanks all for the instagram handles. I had a quick scoot through Suzys - some of her dresses are hideous, frankly. But that is probably because i am not a fan of "sticky out" dresses unless they are underpinned by something like a lot of fabric and/or an underskirt, rather than non-draping fabrick gathered onto a flat bit. For me it isn't just my personal preference (i am very very booby, so need close fitting at top if i don't want to look like Hattie Jaques) i just think they need more tweaking and better fabric. But if that is the look she's going for, they do have high design(er) recognition and if Suzy goes into business with them, she'll do well.

lol Hatty Jaques

She was pretty but I know exactly where you are coming from from

Also Susie is slim so she can get away with it but I think that dress would flatter no one

Asmaa was my all-time favourite contestant on so many levels.

Asmaa and Clare were so good at the actual details of sewing.

On one of her instagram photos Suzy's wearing a skin-tight bodysuit she made (from a pattern): it's really well-made, and she’s got an amazing slim figure. She then proceeds to absolutely drown herself in a mahoosive see-through organza gathered sleeveless dress over the top that she drafted herself. Obviously that’s what she likes because almost every other post is the same - meters and meters and meters and METERS of gathering. But unfortunately the drafting and execution for things like that need to be really on point to avoid being gigantic bunchy tents. She describes herself as a 'self-taught sewer', I just wonder whether she's ever done any formal pattern-drafting classes or anything?

I think the problem I have with some of Suzy's sewing is that if somebody says "I made this dress myself, from an old duvet cover", it's only really impressive if it doesn't look like a dress they've made from an old duvet cover if you see what I mean.

She made a "duvet dress" earlier in the series that I think passed the "it doesn't look like it was made from a duvet cover" test. It was one of her better garments so far.

Asmaa was a delight and just SO good! I was watching a video on Instagram the other day where Patrick and Esme were going back over their favourite garments of the last ten years. One of them was Asmaa's from the two dresses in one week. Looking at it unfurl I was reminded of just how exceptional she was, it was bloody delightful!

I remember having to go back and watch the unfurling several times after the episode was broadcast. I had to do it again after someone mentioned it on this thread (or the last). Just magical! The expression on Asmaa's face as she watched was lovely.

She made a "duvet dress" earlier in the series that I think passed the "it doesn't look like it was made from a duvet cover" test. It was one of her better garments so far.

Yes, that one was very good. It's some of the ones she's made for herself from curtains and duvets that I'm not so keen on, but it's obviously her preferred style.

I'm all for self taught and seat-of-your-pants sewing sometimes. But, as my DD is constantly finding out when she makes things and won't let me give advice, the basics of sewing are basics for a reason. So cutting along or across the grain sometimes, on the bias other times, etc. crucial. Fabric choice, too, knowing about drape and so on.

but i do like to see some good new ideas & designs.

Asmaa’s unfurling dress was incredible. Such beautiful craftsmanship. I watched it over and over. A deserved winner!

I’m torn between Alex and Pascha to win. I like Alex’s designs more but feel that Pascha sews just that bit better.

Maybe not the Cilla Black bit.

I think the challenges have been less challenging too. They haven't done pattern matching or had to cut & sew a million pieces together to make a garment.

Remember that Japanese skirt pattern with the curving seams? That was difficult. Men's trousers with a fly zip? A lined coat? The origami dresses?

I have to admit wondering if they changed the planned pattern challenges as the series went on and they found the contestants weren't managing. They do seem very simple for this stage (although increasing the time wound have helped!)

I think the biggest disappointment this time is Patrick's dress sense.

Absolutely @nomdegrrr1 what is he thinking?

I understand he is using old suits on the reuse basis, which is good, but he needs to get them altered to fit!

@Brefugee the fabric choice thing is such a big deal and we see so many wrong choices on the show as though they really don't understand the idea of the right sort of fabric. It happens every year and it boggles my brain. I'm not a great sewer. I took a summer course last year which was a total joy, made a pair of trousers (side pockets but elasticated waist so no zip!) that were good enough to actually wear out and about in public so I do know basics of sewing now. This was going to be a year of more courses and loads more sewing but illness got in the way. Anyway! I was and remain a beginner but I know about fabric. I know what's easier to work with, I know - more often than not - what you shouldn't use for a certain garment unless of course you're going for something very different. rubber bra? No. Sexy BDSM rubber bra? Yes please!

Sorry, rambling. I don't expect them to be experts but even before I was a beginner I knew more about some basics than some of the contestants do and I found it disappointing at times. I want them to know more and sort of teach us viewers stuff by osmosis. Unreasonable of me? Absolutely!