What a week! We are so pleased to see the return of the Great British Sewing Bee.
During the opening sequence, it looked like there was going to be some major competition with what looked like some lovely garments. (Did you see that stunning red jacket)?
We thought that during this season we would write a weekly blog during the show and share our tips and patterns with you.
Let’s start with the shell top that was made as project 1
Claire loves a simple shell top, it’s something she’s been teaching as part of her beginner’s dressmaking course for many years.
It’s a fab starting project to learn how to measure and cut a pattern, sew darts and learn how to create a facing.
If you’d like to learn how to make one then we’d be happy to teach you in the studio. You can make this top in a single day with our help.
Tonights sewers did struggle but let’s bear in mind they had 2 hours to make their tops! Even those of us who’ve been sewing for years would make a hash of something in this kind of timeframe.
If you liked the Bumblebee fabric that Damien used then we have just added it to our shop HERE
And please don’t panic about buttonholes. They really don’t have to be scary. We can help you with our online buttonhole masterclass
Our thoughts on the transformation challenge
well…..as soon as we heard T-shirts we wondered how many sewers would fall at the first hurdle and use the wrong machine needles and stitches. As lovers of jersey at BTHQ we pride ourselves in making people love jersey and not to be scared. We can hold your hand in person at the studio or you can take our fantastic Intro to Stretch Online Course.
Then we got distracted by the lovely Jean and her cat YODA!!
The transformation challenge is one of Claire’s favourites. She loves making something from nothing and would love to have a go at some of the tests the sewers get given on the Bee.
We loved all of the makes on tonights challenge and saw a whole other side to Patrick. That was certainly some cracking pattern placement!
And now the Made to Measure challenge
Our first thoughts were…. ‘what on earth is a buffet dress’?
But as soon as we saw the picture we just knew exactly what it was and instantly thought of the lovely Tilly & The Buttons and her Indigo dress.
Claire chooses to wear hers with a belt to cinch it in a little but when worn loose it is exactly what the judges were looking for.
It’s one of her favourite dresses to make as it involves lots of gathering. This is one of those marmite techniques. You either love it or you hate it, but Claire loves it!!!
You can come and make an indigo with us in the studio, or if you want to have a go at making it at home on your own then you can purchase the pattern here
We just loved Andrews addition of a crochet collar and couldn’t choose a favourite dress! There was at least 4 we’d happily add to our wardrobe.
If you are looking for a fabric to make a lovely buffet dress from then we’d recommend something drapey but with a little bit of structure. A viscose crepe or plain viscose would be lovely and we have some wonderful options in the shop right now. Take a look in the dressmaking fabric section.
