The Great British Sewing Bee

I like the colour block dresses. Just made a black and white one for a play I was in, don't think it would have come first though!

I was wondering if that Judge had stayed in a poor B+B last night and accidently put the ruched bedspread on instead of her dress !!!

NO, Esme, what were you thinking of with that dress?

I loved the Clothkits things I made for myself and my children. I had a lovely green skirt with a herbaceous border around the hem with a little white fence. I also remember making little tailored shirts for my boys in brushed cotton check.

Loved that jacket! I'd wear it.

Clothkits are still around - I'm not sure what the quality is like though.

The winning jacket was lovely, absolutely perfect. But I agree about the judge's dress - what on earth was it made of, and why was it made at all...?

It certainly made me glad that sewing machines have moved on although we did have a Bernina - very advanced - when I was at school. It's no wonder that a lot of people of my/our age have zipaphobia!

Why do they pretend the programme is over 2 days when everyone wears the same clothes each day, judges included?

Just looked at the Clothkits link - there is a very small collection of what I would call authentic Clothkits. My 3 girls had lots of these that I made for them - and I made some for myself too!

The GB Sewing Bee is a mixed bag I think. There is some exquisite sewing, but also some marked lack of skill in very basic things like setting a zip, which rather surprised me. It is an interesting programme though. Can't stand all the contrived tension over who will leave etc.

They do film over 2 days, wear the same clothes for 'pickups' when they might have to film something again. The tension about who is leaving isn't anywhere near as bad as most reality shows, but I agree that it's most annoying.

tessa didn't know that, thank you!

Just spent ages looking for something "crisp" to wear

Nearly finished my family pack of salt and vinegars, was just thinking how creative I could get? Lona

I used to enjoy making up Clothkit patterns.

I have an electric sewing machine which does zig zag and embroidery stitches, but it isn't 'computerised'. Is it time I had a new machine? What do computerised ones do that mine can't? Can anyone tell me?

I don't sew - sewing badges on my GS's cub shirt is the apex of my expertise - but I am fascinated by this programme. I was standing outside the changing rooms in Debenhams men's department on Friday, discussing it with two other long-suffering ladies and they also commented on how it reaches out to people who don't sew but simply admire the expertise involved in putting together a wearable garment. This conversation was inspired by there being a large photograph of Patrick Grant just inside the entrance! There was much mutual drooling going on. The jacket that won it last night was beautiful. I was so pleased for her. nannylovesshopping You can get creative with crisp packets - I use bit of them to make fishing flies!

One thing I do admire, and which seems to be growing in popularity, is the art of making pictures using just textiles and a sewing machine. Some of the ones I've seen have been stunning in their detail. There is a well known local artist here who teaches it and she produces some remarkable stuff. I imagine, though I don't know, that you would need a computerised sewing machine to do that.

Why was I crying when Angeline got knocked out??!
The judge was wearing stripped wood chip wallpaper. Did you see the fraying around the neck!

Yes, I noticed that! What a mess.

I found it interesting that those Modrian dresses looked so different in the choices of colour. Angelina kept on about 60s as being bright and colourful, not sure , that may be a stereotype. I remember quite a bit of victoriana, maroon and deep purple.

I think the young girl has great flare and wish Esme would give her a place at her college. Her jacket was so smart.

Grey duster - you mean free machine embroidery. I've done courses in this and it can be very artistic. You don't necessarily need a computerised machine - but need one that you can lower the feed dogs so you can freely move the fabric , you need a darning foot and you put the fabric in a hoop. Some people do some amazing pictures using different coloured threads etc.

I had a block shift. It was black and white. Probably bought it in Biba but not sure.

Never had anything PVC. The children had sou'westers - yellow and red

And matching macs?

suzied I stand in awe of those who can produce some of the work I've seen in art shows and exhibitions. You got up close to it and only then realise it's all done on a sewing machine.