GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE SsN8: EPISODE 6

The one with Heroes, Fashion, Rebel Rebels and Changes, but definitely no Absolute Beginners

You may have guessed by the title of this blog that episode 6 was Music Week in the Sewing Bee studio.  This was a new theme for the programme and included influences from across the music spectrum from Mods to country music to David Bowie there was a wide range of styles and makes this week.

​Given it was music week Sara Pascoe attempted to compose a new theme tune for the Bee 🐝🎵 🥁, although this was definitely not a winner with the judges!!

The pattern challenge was a Parka coat, a complex garment to put together, with many different pieces and a particularly tricky placket construction for the contestants to master.  Patrick and Esme agreed it was one of the most difficult pattern challenges they had ever set.  The fun history facts came early this week with Amber Buchart documenting the Parka’s early use by indigenous arctic peoples when it was made from sealskin or caribou for warmth when kayaking.  The ‘fishtail' element with drawstrings was added for the Korean war so US soldiers could tie each side around a leg for extra warmth.  After the war the Parka became a uniform for Mods in the 1960s and later for Oasis - who most of the Bees seemed to associate the coat with. 
​
It is that time in the series when, with fewer contestants left, we get to see more of the garments in detail and hear the judges' comments for each, and they are not holding back this year.  

On his first look at the coats on the mannequins Patrick remarked that ‘one or two might have been in a fight with a rocker on Brighton beach!’.  This was a complex make for the Bees and overall I thought they did well, but the judges were very picky.  ​

​Man Yee had some raw edges showing, Annie’s popper was not attached and her zip was ‘not great’, and Angela’s was described as ‘messy '.  Gill had chosen a very tricky fabric, and even using a walking foot and sellotape 😲 did not help her master this.  With her Parka being described as ‘lumpy and bumpy’ she found herself in last place.  Cristian’s neat and tidy work meant he came second, whilst Brogan's practically perfect in every way Parka won her first place. ​

With Sara’s instruction to the Bees to ‘stand by your man...equins’ we were on to the transformation challenge, to make a country music stage outfit from second hand denim and checked shirts.  Oh and to make this even more special the contestants were also able to include fringing, rhinestones and studs.  Oh my what an amazing challenge!!  Clearly the thinking was the more Dolly Parton inspired the better.  So with an unearthed picture of Esme as Dolly and Patrick donning a cowboy hat the transformations got underway

The sewists really let their imaginations run with this one and produced some amazing transformations, with some being more Dolly whilst others were more 9 to 5!.  There were godets, sequins, fringing and nipple stars(!) aplenty.  Cristian’s outfit was slightly reminiscent of a lampshade, whilst the dramatic arm length and embellishment on Man Yee’s jacket wouldn't have looked out of place in the Bowie Inspired made to measure. The judges felt both Angela’s and Annie’s transformations didn’t fully fulfil the brief whilst Debra’s was maybe more Taylor Swift than Dolly.  
​

Brogan came second with her embellished mini skirt and halter style top but it was Gill who bounced back from final place in the previous round to win this challenge.  With her fringed and star embellished mini skirt and bikini style top, this outfit was perfect for a country icon like Dolly to wear on stage. 

Imaginations were taken to the next level in the made to measure challenge with outfits inspired by David Bowie.  The judges wanted the outfits to be fabulous, iconic and stylistically original, like Bowie himself.  What a spectacularly flamboyant catwalk this was going to be.  Esme was name dropping again with her story of sitting on a window sill to watch the Notting Hill Carnival with David Bowie; honestly what an amazing life this woman has had!!  I loved this challenge, from watching the montage of truly amazing Bowie outfits to seeing the individual interpretations of the Bees outfits. There was everything on offer, with inspiration taken from songs such as Rebel Rebel, Ashes to Ashes, Life on Mars, the Magic Dance from Labyrinth, Ziggy Stardust,Let’s Dance and of course Fashion.  This was my kind of theatrical made to measure.

The story of Gill making her practice outfit at home and the sequins shedding everywhere to the point that her dog had sparkly poop 🐕😱 is a reminder that sequins are not always the answer to everything!  Debra sewed one arm of her jacket inside out which meant her correction left the arm really tight, this was such a shame as she had created a beautiful trouser suit complete with ostrich feather cuffs.  Cristian’s one armed and one legged catsuit was topped with a dramatic cape, which was just as well as it covered a very ‘hungry bum’!! The big sleeves on Brogan’s dress were certainly dramatic, but the rest of the outfit failed to wow the judges.  It seems it wasn’t a good week for Man Yee and jackets as her Chinese patterned Blazer and skirt outfit didn’t work for the judges.​

Gill’s sequined lapelled dress was lovely but whilst Patric felt ‘the quality of the sewing is fabulous’ the fit was a bit off.  The winner of Garment of the Week was Annie with her beautiful electric blue double breasted coat dress which the judges said ‘had huge presence and felt very David Bowie’.  

Annie had said earlier in the challenge that she was ‘Under Pressure’ as her husband is a huge Bowie fan and she didn’t want to go home this week.  

But her dress coat was rather more steampunk than Bowie-esque and, with her low finishes in the previous two rounds, she was unfortunately the sixth contestant to leave the sewing room. 

Stitch Sewcial members in the sewing bee chat felt this had been one of the best episodes of the series so far.  The sewists really are amazing and this weekly dose of sewing bee sunshine and Stitch Sewcial chat is truly a highlight of my week.  As always the fabulous Fold Line have pulled together pattern inspiration, hints and tips from this week's episode, if you fancy getting musical with your sewing.  

So that leaves us with six contestants for next week's sewing room challenges, which will all be themed around underwear.  So which of the sewists will be waving their knickers in the air and who will be curled up in the corner in comly pjs?? I can’t wait to find out.  Hope to see you there in the Stitch Sewcial Sewing Bee Chat 🐝