New Sewing Bee Series to start this week ...

I absolutely love this programme, it’s lovely to see the sewers’ skills develop and also the relationships between them all. Joe has definitely gown on me and Esme and Patrick are wonderful. I don’t mind who wins, Serena is good but so is Raph.

Sewing Bee is the only tv programme I watch now; I love it! And you can now go onto iPlayer and watch every episode right back from series 1. My goodness, it's changed since Claudia Winkleman and May Martin were in it.

I think Serena is the stronger technically, her finish is usually flawless, but she shows less imagination or artistic flair than Raph.

We shall see (what do I know anyway!)

Don’t get me wrong, I do agree that being able to work at speed is a significant element of the process and that Farie seems incapable of ‘upping her game’, but that doesn’t stop me from feeling for her when every week she just can’t keep up.

I liked Damien’s attitude at the end when he was saying that he’s learnt so much from the programme. He knew he was on borrowed time and was pleased with how far he’d got.

Hadn't really thought of it that way MOnica but you are quite right. If you have a problem with following instructions and / or speed then you can't expect to be indulged. I agree grannyactivist that Patrick favours Raph and Esme Serena. May the best sewer win !

grannyactivist When you play a game, you follow the rules, all of us can say if the game had different rules we could have done better. I would be quite good at tennis if I didn't have to keep the ball between the white lines.

Farie recognised very early that her time planning was poor and she needed to watch the clock and plan how much time she allotted to each part of garment making. If she didn't realise, Patrick and Esme have told her many times. She acknowledges the problem, but seems incapable of learning the lesson and adapting her garment making strategy. That in itself is a weak point, just like Damian's incapacity to obey instructions.

At the end of the day Sewing Bee is a tv programme and its prime purpose is to entertain and draw in viewers. People like a competition and anyone entering knows the rules.

The imperative to work quickly is a problem in all these sort of shows.

Every week I feel more and more sorry for Farie. If the competition was simply a sewing/design competition I think she would win hands down, but it’s all about speed.

I think Esme is rooting for Serena and Patrick for Ralph, but all four of the remaining contestants are very skilful.

Sewing Bee one of the best, enjoy the interactions between all the contestants, seeing the clothes they all make, good fun, and wish my sewing was half as good.

Rebecca could well be the dark horse.

Serena is the better needlewoman, but I think it will be close run thing. She has had days when she has done worse rather than better - and the same applies to Ralph. Bt it only needs Rebecca to have an exceptional day........

It annoyed me when they all said it was wonderful sewing etc when you could see pulling on the seams in the satin on practically all the garment, Serena's was particularly obvious in one seam of the bodice, yet that wasn’t mentioned. Yes, with time and care this can be avoided, usually by very lightweight interlining or seam tape, especially on the zips, didn’t see any of them using that. I know they don’t give them enough time to finish properly, but why gush on about how marvellous it is when they don’t give a few tips for avoiding the obvious mistakes. Raph is my favourite from a design point of view, but I think the judges will choose Serena.

Grandmabatty

I've felt Damien was on a shoogly peg for a number of weeks and definitely it was his time to go. Rebecca's dress was beautiful but Rafe's was a creation and I felt deserved garment of the week. Serena is a consummate sewer but plays it safe. I think Fari might go next.

Rebecca's dress was exactly the right garment in portraying the film Dream Girls. It was a knockout.

I didn't think Raph's trousers fitted properly at the crotch (is that word allowed on GN?). I can't think of one more appropriate.

I much prefer Joe to Claudia Winkleman.

I don’t watch this but I follow several YouTube channels and I love the ‘Refashionista’ make over blog. I love watching progs like this ?

I think Joe is great. He really takes an interest in what the sewers are doing and he's very good with them when they get upset.

Serena is an excellent sewer but I think Raph has the edge as he is so creative. I was glad to see the back of Damien and I thought his dress was dreadful.
As for Joe's banter, it is a bit hit and miss and when he flirts with Raph the poor chap looks a tad stricken.
I love this series.

Didn't spot that Calendargirl - Think Raph might just pip her to the post. I think she is very competitive and will pull out all the stops in the last week.

Serena or Raph will win. You heard it first here.

Sorry Grandmajean but I predicted it on 13th May.

Of course, if both of us are wrong…..

I thought Esme's face was a picture when she said Damien's pattern was not of the right decade and he passed it off as near enough.

Luckygirl, Joe has always got on my wick! How annoying it must be for the contestants when he mucks about when they are short of time.

Serena as the winner for me too.

I agree with you 100% Trisha. I honestly don’t understand how Damien lasted as long as he did. I didn’t find him amusing - his boastful way of never following the pattern seemed like an insult to the other contestants who were serious about the competition. The majority of his efforts were “botched” and lacked the style and expertise shown by the others.

Sorry, Luckygirl but I love Joe Lycett.

I think Serena might win because her sewing is pretty perfect. On the other hand Raph has more flair and Esme likes his creations.

Did anyone else find Damien a bit of a know-all? He really irritated me from the start with his "I'll do it my way" despite being given strict briefs from the judges. And he was so smug - I don't usually get het up about TV but I really wanted him to go!

Joe Lycett is beginning to get on my wick, as they say!

Selena will win I think - she is consistent.