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šŸ‘— Sewing Bee šŸ‘—

(260 Posts)
Millie22 Fri 10-May-24 14:52:10

The new series starts on Tuesday 21st May at 9 pm so I'm looking forward to some wonderful sewing again.

The new presenter Kiell is also back to replace Sara Pascoe.

petra Wed 12-Jun-24 07:52:30

Totally agree, MOnica
I stopped watching last week.
Sad to say but the producers have run out of ideas. Plus the standard of sewing.

Grandmabatty Wed 12-Jun-24 07:53:20

I was pretty disappointed by the sewing last night. I speak as a non sewer, mind you.ā˜ŗļø I thought Luke's outfit, in particular, was hideous. They all seem to struggle with finishing a garment. I totally agree with you MOnica

BlueBelle Wed 12-Jun-24 07:59:44

Gosh I thought the outfits were poor last night in fact I d go further than poor some were awful The older gents were no worse than some of the others but I think they targeted him to go out Though most of them were really quite bad ( and that’s from someone who can’t sew for toffee)

Gingster Wed 12-Jun-24 08:02:41

I’ve stopped watching it too. It’s run it’s course imo.

jusnoneed Wed 12-Jun-24 08:27:10

I haven't watched this series at all, I thought the last one was pretty bad, the sewing dreadful in most cases. Sounds as if it's even worse this time.

Grammaretto Wed 12-Jun-24 08:58:11

I love watching it and look forward to Tuesday night.

There is not nearly enough time to plan and finish so there is an element of luck.

The scramble for the right fabric at the start would terrify me. Also making a garment to fit the model is a skill in itself.

Calendargirl Wed 12-Jun-24 10:36:24

I agree about the scramble for the fabric.

They all look so pally, but surely sometimes Mary has grabbed the very piece that Jane wanted…..

angry

M0nica Wed 12-Jun-24 13:03:53

the tasks actually set do not seem that difficult, certainly no more difficult than previous years, so it must be the skill level of those being selected that is at fault. I am sure the contry hasn't run out of really competent sewers.

I know that the main purpose of all these shows in entertainment, but I want to watch someone with a really remarkable skill well ahead of mine. i do not want to be watching the programme, thinking, 'for heavens sake, even I could have done better than that!'

eddiecat78 Wed 12-Jun-24 14:00:32

M0nica I think most serious sewers decided several series ago that the show is more about entertainment than sewing and wouldn't apply to go on it.
Like others here I don't think any of this years contestants stands out and last night's efforts were particularly uninspiring.
I'm also distracted by the 2 ladies who sew whilst wearing voluminous outfits - surely they must get in the way!
(And yes I do sew myself but I'd rather do things properly than fast)

Callistemon21 Wed 12-Jun-24 14:03:10

BlueBelle

Gosh I thought the outfits were poor last night in fact I d go further than poor some were awful The older gents were no worse than some of the others but I think they targeted him to go out Though most of them were really quite bad ( and that’s from someone who can’t sew for toffee)

I think he could have made a lovely job of that red dress if only he'd had far more time!
The dress was better than the men's white shorts and waistcoat.

Are many of the finished products actually wearable? What happens to them afterwards?

Callistemon21 Wed 12-Jun-24 14:05:26

(And yes I do sew myself but I'd rather do things properly than fast)

Yes, that is right eddiecat
Certainly the time seems quite limited resulting in rushed work, unfinished so often I wonder if the timescales are unrealistic.

M0nica Wed 12-Jun-24 15:10:32

But for just on 10 years really good sewers could be seen on the programme and I am sure that it didn't take them that long to realsie the programme is about entertainment.

Even the personalities of those on this year are a bit all of a level.

Glorianny Wed 12-Jun-24 16:17:36

How have we gone from those fabulous trousers, which both Patrick and Esme said they would wear, and which were outstanding, to the contestants are poor this year?
I think last night's tasks were a bit limiting.

I have noticed the two in loose outfits, things they have designed and made I suspect. I'm not sure who they are meant to impress.

BrandyGran Wed 12-Jun-24 16:57:20

Well I love it and look forward to Tuesday nights. I watched it on iPlayer last night as there was a drama documentary on 4 about the girl whose husband tampered with her parachute. Sewing bee was so restful after that- no adverts to stop the flow. Patrick and Esme are funny enough to lighten the atmosphere without needing a comedian! Just saying!

vegansrock Wed 12-Jun-24 17:06:01

Let’s face it, the best amateur sewers are most likely to be older women who have been practising for a lifetime and they want to get diversity in so they choose a wide range of people. It’s not about the sewing, otherwise they’d give people enough time to do things properly. I do watch it, but I think it makes sewing look difficult and might put non sewers off.

M0nica Wed 12-Jun-24 17:33:46

Callistemon The time limits have not changed and in previous years unfinished garments were very rare.

vegansrock I am not sure I agree with you. This programmme has brought a wide range of people from allsorts of backgrounds and ages, who have proved to be superb needlepeople. Including an army officer, a policemen and two surgeons, both in their 30s.

BlueBelle Tue 18-Jun-24 21:41:54

I am not a sewer but I do have a good eye for clothes and fashion
I don’t think this years group is anything like as good as other years some of the stuff they are making really isnt good in my opinion

M0nica Tue 18-Jun-24 23:18:50

I absolutely agree Blebelle. On almost every programme and every round this year at least 50 %of the garments have not been finished, and sometimes, like the Nehru jackets, only 2 were completely completed.

I also think that the rounds are becoming too similar. The first pattern round, has always been a relatively simple pattern with instructions to be followed to the last full stop, but which shows their command of specific skills, like putting in zips.

The Nehru jacket was far to complex for this round and the time given was 4 hours rather than 2.5, The same with the make over round.

Taking a shirt and some calico and making a garment is really not very challenging, - and while someof the makeover garments in previous year have been far fetched, I do enjoy watching the most improbable things being
turned into clothes.

It is the last round that has deteriorate dmost. We used to see some exquisite and beautifully made clothes. Today, again, half were seriously a long way from complete, and most were badly fitting and looked what they were home made dresses, with all that description can sometimes mean.

Nandalot Tue 18-Jun-24 23:25:59

I agree with everything you have said, MOnica. Also none of the contestants are standing out for me. I usually have one or two favourites I am rooting for but none of them are really grabbing my interest.

Calendargirl Wed 19-Jun-24 06:55:12

I’m no sewer, but enjoy watching those who can.

I agree that some of this year’s lot don’t seem great.

I wasn’t impressed with the garment of the week last night, thought it looked a bit thrown together.

My predictions for the final are Luke, Alex and Pascha?

BlueBelle Wed 19-Jun-24 07:00:33

I don’t really care who wins I don’t think there’s much going for any of them some of those creations last night were awful and looked just what they were… made out of scraps, and unfinished, I thought the sari type outfits were abysmal (saris are so beautiful) and the Nehru jackets were mostly poorly done with awful mistakes

Parsley3 Wed 19-Jun-24 07:04:13

Esme and Patrick must be getting fed up having to find positive things to say about the poor standard of design offered by this year's contestants. The sari dresses were all disappointing.

Greta Wed 19-Jun-24 07:20:59

I think it's become repetitive and rather uninspiring. Also, I wish they would stop the silly jokes. The programme has lost its appeal for me.

Curlywhirly Wed 19-Jun-24 07:28:18

I really enjoy the programme, but as a life-long sewer, I am surprised at how amateur some of the garments look. I'm sure there are many of us at home who would make better and neater garments. However, where I would be hopeless is in the creative challenges - I'd struggle to design a decent and inspiring garment from old shirts, jackets, shopping bags etc, I just wouldn't know where to start!

Grandmabatty Wed 19-Jun-24 07:34:59

The Nehru jacket was much too challenging for this group to accomplish. They don't appear to have the appropriate skill set. I think they were picked because of their quirkiness, not their sewing. The sari dress was the chance to show off creativity and they were very cautious. I quite liked Ailsa's dress but it was very crumpled. I think Suzy is very lucky to be still in the competition