Great British Sewing Bee 2026

[LIZS]

Back on 14th July at 8pm

minnie posted about them getting models to match closely as it’s easier when practicing the made to measures beforehand.

Come on , come on , come on, come on etc

What's tonights theme again??

Books. The made to measure will be Jane Austen themed.

Edit: deerstalker hat as in Sherlock Holmes. Grown up outfit for Matilda from old school uniforms. Regency as in Jane Austen

I shudder to remember the Miss Havisham outfit somebody made when everyone (including Patrick) seemed to think Miss Havisham was a ghost.

I think I prefer my “world book day outfit made from a pillowcase and whatever tat you have kicking about the house”

DS hated world book day dress up with a passion. He went in full uniform and proudly announced that his favourite time was in the library area for a bit of peace and quiet. Reading the books in his bag that he brought from home. Usually Green Eggs and Ham.

My dratted prima donna begged for a Laura Ingalls costume, complete with sunbonnet. First time I'd ever sewn clothes.

Mine didn’t hate world book day but one year went in uniform, to which we added a fly hairslide, and hey presto! Clarice Bean!

That was a nice easy year!

I was a teacher and I loved World Book Day!

I've been Toad from Wind in the Willows, (complete with green face paint) - partly because I was that shape. But I've also been Aunt Sponge with a colleague as Aunt Spiker, and goodness knows what else.

As a parent of three, despite being a good seamstress, a member of a lovely book group and a fan of costumes, I dreaded world book day.

My two eldest daughters were always helpful and very inventive. Their costumes did involve makeup.

What has Irish lady done with her hair? ( cannot remember names this year!)

Ahem. A deerstalker is never mentioned in the books.

I adore Sophie’s dress. (Bought one very like it from Topshop for my MA presentation about ten years ago.) That mesh fabric is so very excellent in hot weather. She looks wonderful in hers.

DH has just complained about this.

I’d like to say something I’ve noticed.

In the introduction a contestant will say ‘I’d better not fuck up today’.
They will give out the pattern challenge and when they talk about the pattern they will say ‘they shouldn’t fuck this bit up’.
The same contestant will then fuck that bit up.
Over the next couple of challenges they will comment that they are fucking something up.
When it comes to who is going home the camera cuts to the person going home first.

What I’m saying is that they set up the idea that the contestant going home is having a mare right from the start.

True. But I suppose it was in the illustrations so became associated with Holmes fairly early on…

Well, yes.

I don’t know if they go back and record useful dialogue after the outcome is known, or whether they film every contestant saying useful negative and positive things for each section, and then edit after the result.

(I’ve seen the making of other types of show but not this sort of competition.)

Normal service resumed - Anna 'punk' comes top.... I thought Beth's was better with more structure and the pleated top was really clever.

I really liked Rebecca's summer dress, a shame the judges didn't think it was rebellious enough. It was certainly the only vaguely wearable outfit of them all.

I thought Beth's was the best transformation. Hope Rebecca goes through

I really love the shade of Heather's tee-shirt. It suits her colouring wonderfully.

I thought Rebecca’s summer dress was very Miss Honey. Surprised the judges didn’t pick up on it.

I really dislike Rebcca's made to measure. Beth's, Heather's and Emma's are stunning (weird they all went for yellow) but the judges will love Anna's tim burton nonsense

Rebecca's jacket fit is awful....