Great British Sewing Bee 2026

[LIZS]

Back on 14th July at 8pm

They did halsall - twice. I know this because I didn't know what they were called. Patrick said it in the judging.

Also - I hate Jane Austen. Not sorry at all

@Piggywaspushed For some reason I seem to think you are an English teacher? (From other threads, I think).

If so, I'm hugely grateful you've said this. I taught History, but have English as part of my degree, frequently taught Lit for GCSE over the years, and I don't get the love for Jane Austen - at all! I love Georgette Heyer, and how accurate she is historically. I love a fair bit of the Brontes. I like Dickens.

But I found Pride and Prejudice well over-hyped, and I've also read Emma and Northanger Abbey as a teen. Did not like them at all.

I'm 60 and re-read Pride and Prejudice last year to see if it was just that I was immature when I read it. Nope. Still don't like it. I thought I must be some sort of weird freak as everyone else seems to rave about her.

Thank you for making me feel less alone!

I think Rebecca probably burst into tears because she was so invested in this particular MTM. She said she loves doing historical costumes, so she probably really wanted to do well in this one, she must have been especially disappointed not just to go out, but to go out on what she probably thinks of as her specialist area.

Sadly I think she had the wrong pink (a very subtle dusky pink would have been better rather than the 'bed jacket' pink she chose) and she gave herself too much to do so couldn't execute the jacket to a high enough standard. I thought the fabric for her dress was lovely though, I'd love a dress in that pattern (I am quite frumpy though !)

You're welcome!

Yes, I am indeed an English teacher by training ( teach different subjects now) but, being of Scottish schooling, we did no Austen.

I read Mansfield Park at University and didn't mind it but have found the rest a chore. Like you, I like Dickens but came to him later in life. As a teen, I liked Hardy.

I do, however, enjoy film and TV versions of Austen. The costumes are often wonderful. I really enjoyed the Other Bennet Sister. So it seems I like Austen when it isn't Austen!

Yes I thought Rebecca's jacket was decidedly "bed jackety".

I'm sorry but I have been wracking my brains since I read your post earlier today and I can only name five.

"If you have nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea-a-ah"

What else? What have I forgotten?

Sorry, yes, it was a typo and then I couldn't edit!

You are correct. Have your quiz point!

Fair enough, I didn’t hear that.

I think Rebecca cried because she was exhausted! (I bet they all are.) As well as being disappointed with the result, and possibly her make, and then being asked to do a piece to camera. It's an excellent calibre of contestants this year, so she is unlucky in some respects.

Jane Austen is and remains the best satirist this country has ever known. Of course her social remit was small but as an observationalist and an exceptional writer, she wowed contemporary readers because of her fresh approach and ascerbic wit.

It's therefore no surprise that when watching film or TV adaptations of her books, the script is excellent, acting outstanding and the costumes simply sublime.

There's always references to sewing and materials. The making of gowns and most importantly the marker that clothes maketh the man and social standing.

Haha, we were going through them yesterday as well and could only get five 😄

Long time lurker here, I was initially shocked Emma didn't go as was such a big mistake but on reflection, think was the right decision, such a high standard this year, absolutely no shame in coming 5th in such a strong class.

One of the local garden centre and cafes had Emma and Rebecca visit, I have put the Facebook link below, wearing brilliant home sewn creations.

www.facebook.com/share/p/1DfsxiBF4J/

I agree.

I couldn't take to Rebecca, don't know why. I am sure she is a very nice person. Her designs were very dull and dated.

I do like to cause the occasional stir with my Austen antipathy!

Have a dislike towards Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy, despite reading their books and watching the TV and film adaptations, but I never feel antipathy. I reserve that for Trump and Putin.

Okeydoke!

Waving from up the road a bit 👋

I did feel for Rebecca when she was so upset. I liked her gingham dress but I'm a sucker for gingham.

Beth deserved GOTW, her dress was very well done and meant all the more as it had such meaning.

I agree re Anna , she would be amazing as a theatre and film costume designer as she is sooo creative. That’s her thing.
I do hope her exposure on TGBSB will lead to a great future in the industry for her
Yes I think Beth is an engineer but hugely talented at sewing and designing.

Engineers deal in precision and therefore mm. Excellent for pattern cutting.

I think Patrick started as an Engineer.

i think she referenced Northhanger Abbey? Austen wrote it as a satire on the gothic novels which were popular during that period.

I'm tired of the transformation as well. For a show that likes to talk about reducing waste, the transformation feels extremely wasteful and very out of touch with the eco message. The garments are rarely well-sewn, well-fitted or even wearable due to the time constraints and the increased insistence from the judges on extravagant looks.

If they actually want to encourage reuse, scale it back to how it used to be and focus less on the "make this unrecognisable" transformations and more on simpler upcycle/"thrift flip" type challenges. Things that can be executed to a decent standard in the time frame and which viewers at home could take some inspiration from.

As a sewer I’d like them to go back to having more everyday clothing that people like me watch and think “ I love that, I want to make it.” Too many fancy dress type outfits now. I don’t want to make a deerstalker hat, a 70s disco outfit or a Jane Austin dress.

Anna again for the win, I predicted at week one