🐝 The Great British Sewing Bee 🐝

So what, if any, is the difference between a boubou and a kaftan?

I agree Wyllow . The poor girl herself looks uncomfortable having to say the awful puns and unfunny blue jokes.

Audiences would fall off perhaps if it was simply informative?

Not quite a boubou but I remember making angelinas in the early seventies. My DM had been out to Ghana to visit my brother who was teaching at the university of Accra and brought me back loads and loads of fabric. I still have two pieces which I use as occasional table cloths. Their colours are still as bright as they were.

Callistemon21

A simple one could be quite easy but I ❤ Lizzie's

^Traditionally, custom-made in workshops by tailors, the boubou is made by folding the fabric in half, fashioning a neck opening, and sewing the sides halfway up to make flowing sleeves.^

I made one early this year by following the instructions on YouTube.
WARNING 😄 watching these videos can be very addictive.

I've never really been happy with he presenter - the producers seem to think there has to be someone who makes constant jokes which often fall flat. Why just not a pleasant "hold the show together person" who gives a clear introductions and relates warmly to the contestants?

Imagine if they had a really funny presenter. Victoria Wood too late or Elaine C Smith, they could make seriously cutting remarks. But I suppose we wouldn't want the contestants running away in tears

Well done M0nica. I would never have got round to making them.

M0nica

I bought a beautiful length of fabric at The Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace last October and made some wide legged summer trousers with it.

They sound really nice. I might pinch that idea. Thanks.

Chardy

I like Joe Lycett, but he is perceived as people love him or hate, there's little middle ground. But then so is Claudia. Being witty and amusing is subjective.

I can’t bear Joe Lycett and Claudia Winkleman wasn’t much better.

I bought a beautiful length of fabric at The Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace last October and made some wide legged summer trousers with it.

Etsy has Aftican fabric in UK

Lots on specialist suppliers on googling as I wondered myself..

Amazons range is a bit limited.

Depends where you live- we have a town centre indoor market with them, who will also run you up a simple garment. I bet they suddenly get busy.

I love the fabrics. Where can you find fabrics like those?
I do miss the fabric shops. There used to be so many but now they are few and far between.
I also loved the boubous and those tunics with the godets and the hole for the head.

Didn't enjoy it so much this week. I preferred ¹the earlier series which showcased the expertise of excellent sewers.

Fabulous dresses in the final challenge. Loved it.

I would have worn at least half of them. I didn't actually like the winner as much as a few of the others.

I loved the made to measure challenge this week. The outfits were stunning.

A simple one could be quite easy but I ❤ Lizzie's

Traditionally, custom-made in workshops by tailors, the boubou is made by folding the fabric in half, fashioning a neck opening, and sewing the sides halfway up to make flowing sleeves.

Weren't they all lovely.

I'd like a couple to wear in the hot weather 🙂

Oh my goodness, today's final challenge was wonderful, all the outfits were so good.

According to her autobiography Esme was.... and probably still is ... a very heavy smoker which would explain her breathlessness.

I like Joe Lycett, but he is perceived as people love him or hate, there's little middle ground. But then so is Claudia. Being witty and amusing is subjective.

But Jo Lycett did it so much better and without setting people's teeth on edge.

If there was no chatty presenter, it would be an hour of silence as everyone concentrated really hard! The presenter is there to generate entertainment, and to bring out the personalities of the contestants.

mrswoo

I enjoyed it last night but feel that maybe the format is getting a bit tired.
I like Esme - but she worries me as her voice seems very quiet and breathless. I saw her recently at Hexham book festival where she spoke of her deafness which she has had since childhood.

I wondered if she's asthmatic? She did seem breathless.

And I hadn't realised she was partially deaf.

It is relief to see that all the surgeons who come on Sewing Bee (the previous one a few years ago, won) are good at sewing. It would be rather disconcerting to have a surgeon who was bad at sewing!
Yes, I said that too. Asmaa is very meticulous and neat. My money's on her at the moment but things could change.

There does seem to be a format with all such programmes though, perhaps because people are not always picked for their aptitude and talents, more because they fit certain criteria.

mrswoo DD commented on Esme's voice, I hadn't moticed.

It is relief to see that all the surgeons who come on Sewing Bee (the previous one a few years ago, won) are good at sewing. It would be rather disconcerting to have a surgeon who was bad at sewing!