Sewing B starts tonight.....any takers?

I totally agree about the high standards they have to set M0nica, which is why I said that I was "not disagreeing with (being marked down) at all". I was only disagreeing with Esme saying the knit fabric would unravel. It wouldn't.

...and talking of nicely turned out gentlemen....the chap on the 'Dogs behaving (very) badly' programme on C5 is very dapper!

I had noticed that in the Ist challenge they do tend to be very strict. They expect them to follow the pattern and instructions precisely. Can remember in one series a competitor actually did more than she should and it was criticised. They want to be able to judge like for like....its in the other challenge's people can go off piste as it were.

Yes, but with so many extremely talented sewers competing to even get on the programme, the standards they set have to be the highest - and if there is a recommended way of doing something like this and you do not live up to this standard, you must expect to be marked down.

I sew, but I just have a standard machine and none of the skill of the competitors. If I made anything like this, I would probably have done two rows over lapping zig-zag stitch, but I am rubbish and just watch with awe.

Anyone see this on Tuesday? I was a bit at Esme's comments about Ben's hoodie. She marked him down because he hadn't overlocked the rib to the garment, but had just used a standard sewing machine. Not disagreeing with that at all, but to say 'after one wash those raw edges will unravel' (paraphrased), was ridiculous. I sew with knitted fabrics all the time, and the beauty of them is that they don't fray or unravel like woven fabric!
I have an overlocker, so I do attach ribs that way. However, if I need to hem a garment without using ribbing, I use my sewing machine as I don't have a coverstitch, which is what professionals/manufacturers use. The many, many dresses I've made like this for my granddaughter have been washed many, many times, with no sign of 'unravelling' at all

Really pleased to see it back. Some of the clothes are better than ever. Patrick is as lovelyas ever, he single handedly converted me to beards!

I didn’t know who Joe Lycett was but he did a good job. I thought the garment of the week was very stylish and showed great imagination and flair. The programme is edited to good effect, without the editing it would be boring. “Nobody wants a baggy bottom” would have been funny if they hadn’t showed it numerous times in previews of the programme.

I really enjoyed it and I thought Joe was good too . I remember the dress made with inspiration from a riding habit and the £150 she spent on the fabric too . !
The most fun bit for me is when they completely later one item into something else in a short time. Really felt for the lady last night who had a vision but could not pull it together with the dropped shoulder top.
I also think they should not eliminate on the first week . Poor Tom was very nervous but I think he had some talent . Did you see in his VT the dress he made his mum?
Look forward to more.

I enjoyed it - just to see the lovely fabrics makes my mouth water although I no longer have the energy to do much sewing.
Its all bit of a fake with a lot of unnecessary shouting before the garments are on the models. Last night the dresses were still on the machines or being ironed woth 30 seconds to go and then suddenly all models were perfectlly dressed.
The jump suit (all-in-one summer pants and top) which won was fantastic!
Looking forward to next week.

Yes, I too felt Joe Lycett hit the right balance. Have seen him in stand-up and he exhibits a nice balance of whimsy and understanding of human foibles.

I really enjoyed it. I thought Joe Lycett was very good. Nice mix of contestants this year and look forward to getting to now them all a bit better. Nice to see so many males taking part.
Love Patrick - what a gent and so handsome!
Looking forward to next week.

I watched it and it was great viewing. Joe is good but as I am not a Claudia fan there was no competition for me. Patrick and Esme are a quirky duo and I love their comments on the garments. I am looking forward to the next set of challenges.
I also watched Shetland.
Douglas and Patrick in the same evening! ?

Previous series of Shetland have been brilliant, so I’m looking forward to it, having taped it, but Sewing Bee just won out in the ‘watch it now’ stakes. I like the new presenter too, and what can you say about Patrick??. I am a hopeless sewer, but have been taken by this programme from the outset. I still wish they would bring back Pottery Throwdown, though!

I love this programme but wish they would give them enough time to make a wearable garment. The problem for me, with all these types of programmes, is that I like all the contestants and don’t want any to go.I feel sorry for those who go out on week one. I think they should wait till week 3 before losing anyone.

Last nights group did seem exceptionally talented. I am watching the previous series at the same time so it is good to compare. I had never heard of the new presenter, but I really liked him.

Now I am curious as so many of you enjoy Shetland. Feel I am missing something!
That's exactly what was going through my mind Day6 . Think I may have to investigate this programme!

Enjoyed this first show but Joe ( never heard of him) contributed nothing at all! Much rather have quirky Claudia!

Really enjoyed it this evening. Jo Lycett is s infinitely preferable to Claudia Winkleman, yes, she really got on my nerves as well. Jo is friendly low key and interested in what the contestants were doing. He was great.

DGD, 11, is an eager sewer, since Christmas with her own 'proper' sewing machine. She will be watching the programme for the first time and I think she will really enjoy this weeks episode.

I’m always very impressed by the talent on this programme. I do a lot of sewing but following a pattern and taking my time.

Dougie Henshall wins by a whisker but Patrick comes a very close second

I remember the Clothskits packages Day6,my daughters had matching jackets.I will watch sewing bee on catch up as Joe Lycett is one of my favourite comedians.

I enjoyed the previous Sewing Bee programmes, so thanks for the reminder. I'll catch it on iplayer. I used to make my own clothes when I was a student. (Does anyone remember the Clothkits packages? I made my children several little lightly padded jackets, all with toggles and piped edges, sewn by hand.)

Now I am curious as so many of you enjoy Shetland. Feel I am missing something!

I enjoyed it but I have to say the routine with all these competitions even down to having three presenters is getting a bit boring I d love for it to change round a bit The third presenter comes across better than Noel Fielding does as the third leg on Baker
Now got to find Shetland on my iPad

I have recorded it as we had our sister-in-law here for dinner. I look forward to watching it tomorrow........too tired tonight.
I think Joe Lycett will do just fine - Claudia got on my nerves anyway!

I love this programme too. I will miss Claudia as I love her quirkiness and sense of fun. Patrick is indeed a feast for the eyes and he comes across as very intelligent and charming. Some people just have it all. I will watch Shetland a few episodes at a time.

I love this programme but, have still not seen a final effort that matches up to that beautiful red and black evening gown bases on a riding habit in the first series,