The Great British Sewing Bee

Rosie51 I think Clare was a different one, she was a lung or respiratory consultant, not sure exactly. Clare was the one who loved all things 1940. Serena was the medical student from Edinburgh who won during lockdown.

And a beautiful blue dress made from parachute silk by the trainee doctor who won one series.
that was Clare who also made a beautiful blouse from a sheer fabric. Esme was most impressed because she did perfect french seams throughout since they'd be visible. She's not a trainee doctor but a consultant, lung specialist I think. The Radio Times featured her in an article during lockdown, with an accompanying photo of her in full PPE. Like all NHS staff she was run off her feet! She's been my favourite winner

I'm still enjoying the series, this is my first encounter with Sara Pascoe, I think she's fine.

I am watching this series, but not enjoying it quite as much.
Sara? Pascoe is sooooo annoying. Who on earth thought she would fit into the presenter role?
As HappySexagenarian says, bring back Joe.

I wasn't a huge fan of the transformation challenge initially but there have been some brilliant ones. The children's fancy dress costumes from old sleeping bags (remember the bunch of grapes?), some of the children's jackets from old ski suits were nice, and a couple of nice patchwork jackets/gilets from the SB waste material. I think it depends on how imaginative the contestants are. I'm not a fan of clothes for animals but there were one of two good dog coats made from old tents of something. And a beautiful blue dress made from parachute silk by the trainee doctor who won one series.

I was surprised that Marnie left. I thought Gill might go as her transformation challenge was horrible.

Yes, lixy a hand-sewing challenge would make a change.

I wasn't a Marnie fan from the start I'm afraid. I did think Angela might have gone as neither of their made to measure concoctions worked well.

The other contestants seemed shocked at Marnie's departure. I am sad that they considered only her last effort rather than her previous accomplishments. So it seems that a number of mediocre seamsters (I hate the word 'sewers') are still in contention and Marnie will have to sit and watch.

Thought that they sent out one of the most skilled sewers this week. Bit of a travesty that Marnie went home when they didn't like one of her makes. Obviously something behind this decision. IMHO.

I do wonder if I'll ever look at a maxi dress in quite the same way again! I thought they were terrific.
Also enjoyed the patchwork challenge, but not the coat transformation.
I wonder what would happen in a hand-sewing challenge.

I put it on to watch this afternoon as I d fell asleep when it was on and bxxxxx me I fell asleep again

I'm enjoying the Sewing Bee so far this series. As a keen quilter I enjoyed the quilted jacket challenge, not easy to do in the time allowed. I have made two quilted coats in the past, they're really quite easy to do once you find a suitable pattern. I feel inspired to make another one now!

Like others I think the transformation challenge is a waste of time and a waste of perfectly good garments that could be put to better use. They rarely make anything worth wearing. Not sure what they could do instead though - pattern drafting/altering, lingerie, properly fitted trousers perhaps.....

And please could we have Joe or Gloria back.

AreWeThereYet

sparklefizz Patrick Grant's dad died during lockdown, and he was reported as saying he had had a 'hellish six months' prior to doing the SB. He converted one of his companies (collectively with other local companies) to make scrubs during the pandemic and worked with them, so he was probably a lot busier than normal over the lockdown period, on top of mourning his dad.

Thank you.

The more I think about it the more ridiculous it seems to try and make two coats into one. Most of them looked perfectly good coats to me.

The transformation challenge could be something for the house like a set of chair covers, a throw, a door curtain. I don't think they've done anything like that before.

Sarah Pascoe irritated me more than ever on this episode, she brings nothing to the programme for me other than p’ing me off ?
I agree that the transformation challenge rarely produces anything decent and I reckon very few people would ever try that at home!

sparklefizz Patrick Grant's dad died during lockdown, and he was reported as saying he had had a 'hellish six months' prior to doing the SB. He converted one of his companies (collectively with other local companies) to make scrubs during the pandemic and worked with them, so he was probably a lot busier than normal over the lockdown period, on top of mourning his dad.

Sara Pascoe is a standup comedian, panellist: HIGFY, QI, Would I Lie to You, 8 out of 10 cats etc and a writer. I like her.

I'm enjoying this series as much as any other and have enjoyed the new challenges e.g. making trainers and patchwork & quilting which they haven't featured before.

Really good to see Gill win Garment of the Week. Like Esme, I thought it looked terrific on the catwalk. It sounded like she may have earned extra "points" for it having been a family duvet which had once been used in her home rather than bought from a charity shop for the task i.e. using what you already have.

If I could change one thing about the programme format, I'd get rid of the transformation challenge. It rarely results in anything wearable. I agree with others that this week's was a waste of good coats. I don’t know what I'd replace it with though. Ideas?

Now that does surprise me. On the other hand she does just clown around, but I never did like clowns, not even as a child.

M0nica

No, not miserable at all. In any series of programmes some will be better than others. I have watched seven series of SB and enjoyed them and I am still watching this series, I haven't turned it off in disgust or because it is too boring.

AS for Sarah Pascoe, she doesn't bother me the way she seems to bother some. I hadn't heard of her before SB. She is clearly not a comedian the way Jo Lycett was. I presume she is a professional presenter. Anyone is better than Claudia Winkleman(?) or who ever the first presenter was, she did at times have me close to switching off.

She is a comedian! I started to read a book she wrote for book club. Gave it up.

I'm by no means a patchwork expert, but it's important that the lining is as flat inside as the patchwork is outside. Did anyone spray glue the 3 parts of the sandwich together which saves time, and keeps the lining flatter?
A lot of time was wasted on the mitred corners which are really awkward to do well, but nothing on the joining of the beginning of the bias binding to the end on the 2 sleeves and the main body.

I know it’s entertainment but they don’t really show all the construction of the garments, what the inside looks like, I presume they are all unfinished , was the back of the patchwork jacket plain or quilted as well? We weren’t shown that. It annoys me when Esme or Patrick says “ this is beautiful “ - and you can see puckers in the seams or the zip not finished properly. The coat challenge was rubbish - they don’t have butch enough sewing machines to sew thick fabric and it showed. We all know Brogan can do puffed sleeves, I think she’s my favourite at the moment sewing wise, but needs a bit more creativity in her designs. Her duvet dress was rather Laura Ashley but nicely made.

No, not miserable at all. In any series of programmes some will be better than others. I have watched seven series of SB and enjoyed them and I am still watching this series, I haven't turned it off in disgust or because it is too boring.

AS for Sarah Pascoe, she doesn't bother me the way she seems to bother some. I hadn't heard of her before SB. She is clearly not a comedian the way Jo Lycett was. I presume she is a professional presenter. Anyone is better than Claudia Winkleman(?) or who ever the first presenter was, she did at times have me close to switching off.

I love this programme and continue to be amazed at the achievements of the contestants. I've not sewn clothes for years now but I still have my sewing machine and might be tempted to give it a go once more. I too prefer Joe and they do seem to be a 'loose' group rather than a 'tight' supportive one. It's certainly a more challenging series I think this time. How they keep calm I don't know.

I agree that Sara Pascoe isn't amusing. She seems to pick the last few minutes when sewers are panicking to sidle up with stupid comments.

I loved the patchwork jackets and thought the sewers did well in such short time. The transformations of the coats were rubbish. There didn't seem to be one that was half decent.

I didn't agree with the winner of Garment of the Week either.

Brogan sews very well but all of her sewing looks the same with the "milkmaid look" - flowery, flouncy and with puff sleeves.

AreWeThereYet What stresses has Patrick had over the last couple of years?

Not miserable at all. I still enjoy the programme but Sara pascoe is not remotely amusing…. 6 people agreed with me at this afternoon ‘s outdoor activity! They all preferred Joe!

Oh what a lot of miserable Gransnetters some of you are!
I am enjoying this series as much as ever - I find Sarah as amusing as Joe was and think Esme and Patrick are as good as ever.
And last night I loved the patchwork jackets!!