Great British Sewing Bee Ep 3: Flibberty Gibbets

Last night was my favourite episode so far, I know I didn't exactly shine in the first two challenges... :-S but honestly, I found the whole experience of the Bee so flipping fun it didn't bother me in the slightest ha ha.

I loved working with the old fashioned machine, though the button on the pedal is teeny tiny! I wish I could have taken off my shoes as I felt I was always slipping off the button which slowed me down. What I found odd was that it refused to go through the layers of binding + dense cotton. Now I've heard lots of claims that these machines will sew through anything, so I reckon in hindsight I had the wrong kind of needle for the types of material.



The machine would just stop occasionally, which as you can imagine would not have helped me achieve eating those tiny sandwiches in my new dress for lunchtime. All props to any woman who managed to make this dress well and go out for a mid-day cocktail, probably whilst doing the washing, baking a cake, and with a baby on one hip.

'Hey Ryan, How ya doin?' 

'Just poppin some buttons on,' 

'Just poppin some buttons on! Good, excellent' *Cries inside*

I love the walk-away dress, and I'm so glad there is now a version for real bodies available in the new Great British Sewing Bee book. I've heard some terrible tales of fitting this dress, but I know that CL will have pulled a blinder with the drafting. I cant wait to get my hands on the book! There are some challenges I cant wait to have another go at, I promise I'll let you know how I fair with a little bit more time on my hands. Though I'm tempted to challenge myself to try and complete in the time... is that madness? Yes, Debbie, yes it is madness.

Who else wants to see Barbara, Pat and Jean do a Sewing Bee Challenge? They would wipe the floor with the lot of us I'm pretty sure. The collective sewing knowledge in that room is enough to make your eyes bleed with jealousy.

Also, I want to live in Lorna's house, why are all her house plants alive?! Why don't they all look brown, broken and murdered like mine? I mean look at that lampshade for heavens sake, how does one manage to have a glamorous lampshade? By being Lorna that's how, I'm going to steal into Lorna's suitcase so she can take me cruising, her life is the best.

On a final note.... Oh! Flibberty Gibbets!

Episode Two: Peacock-off, Waiscoat-gate and trip to the Copacabana

Well, another fantastic episode of GBSB! Kids week was hilarious, not only the mad panic of the waistcoat challenge, but also the madness that is having nine hyper-active adults paired with 9 hyper-active kids... and fancy dress put in the mix! Me and Neela had a blast trying on her green wig:

Lets start with first things first though shall we? A tailored waistcoat?! For a child? Mr. T believes that all waistcoats should be banned on kids as they make them look like tiny snooker players. Then again if your child is a tiny snooker player then maybe this challenge was for you? This was a bit of a nightmare for me, I was flummoxed by the pages and pages of instructions, and being up against the clock (and yes... being distracted by chatting) made it even more difficult. But I got there in the end, though perhaps not quite to the desired standard.

This is my terrified face. It says, why would you bother putting a welt pocket in a waistcoat? Do you have a tiny pocket watch to keep safe?!

One button is better than three though right? I mean, gives a bit more room for party rings at lunchtime. I'm not really into kids clothes, but I did very much enjoy making my tiny bolero, and looking at everyone's amazing seemingly Copacabana themed re-fashions. Must have been all that yellow, made everyone think of holidays on the beach.

The third challenge was my favourite of the lot, it was a brilliant day, and I was a proud member of #teampeacock.  How we all came up with making birds completely separately to each other I have no idea! I didn't look too happy about it though did I?

You're making WHAT Matt?! Ha ha ha... reminds me of a certain squirrel...

I was so sorry to see Alex go, we motivated each other through the waistcoat challenge, I think we both felt like throwing in the towel once or twice. I'm so glad that the show portrayed her as she truly is, a fastidious sewer who believes in perfection in all things. What you didn't get much of a chance to see were her strong beliefs in sustainability. She has taught me a lot through her knowledge, if you want to learn more, check out her awesome blog: www.sewrendipity.com  

And a final note.... Go Team Peacock!

GBSB Episode One: Pigs, Parks and Grimacing

Sooo did you watch the Bee last night? It was very strange seeing myself on the telly. I watched it with my Nanna and Grangy, Grandma and Grandad, my parents and the in-laws. It was really nice! I'd had an absolutely manic day at work with a huge event that I'd organised, so was shattered, and filled with nervous energy (and mum-made Chilli). I loved watching the show, and seeing what the other sewers were up to, I tended to speak to those people closest to me when in challenge mode as I was much too frantic to 'work the room'. I'm probably going to have to watch it again though as I was far too busy giving everyone the inside scoop than watching the show.

Love Claudia's eye make-up fringe combo - I reckon she'd rock the Cleopatra look

I was wondering how my accent would sound on the TV, but it turns out I had my 'phone voice' on so instead of sounding like my Nan, I sounded like I was auditioning to be a 1950s air hostess.

Me and Terence 'casually' walking around a Levenshulme park, as ya do.... apparently dressed entirely in blue that day.

I loved seeing everyone's back stories! I feel like this is different from last years series, didn't they concentrate on one person per episode last year? I like this way better though, as we get a little bit of an insight into my pals as we go along.

I was so sad to see Annie go! I didn't even notice her taking a lie down on the day! But I know exactly how she felt, I wanted a lie down myself. She was really fun, and we didn't have nearly enough time to get to know her.   However, we've had plenty of time to catch up, and I can safely say Annie is an absolute winner in my book.

I had to include this, what a cracking grimace! I don't think she thought I'd finish those trousers did she?

Lots of you have asked me about the pattern and fabric that I used on the show. Unfortunately I'm not allowed to divulge brands due to it being a BBC show, apologies. However, previous readers of the blog may have seen something similar, and I know that lots of people/ websites have tracked down the fabric used. Check out #GBSB on twitter for some hints and tips.

I'll be tweeting and chatting throughout the show again next week, I hope I'll see you there. Thank you again to everyone for your support and dress love! You've all been amazing :-)

Deborah

Sewing at speed, Me and the Great British Sewing Bee

Soo... have any of you seen the teaser trailer for the new series of the Great British Sewing Bee? Anyone beady eyed enough to spot a familiar face?

Look, it's me! Making a strange grunting noise and attempting to sew at a million miles per hour. I was so high on adrenaline throughout the entirety that I fully expect any time I'm on screen to be basically a series of incoherent grunts and giggles, TV gold!

Eep! This has been a long time in the making, I originally filmed the Great British Sewing Bee right after the last show aired in 2014. So it must have been April? I've been sitting on my hands waiting to tell you all for so long, trying to keep friends and family from telling the world whilst simultaneously wanting to jump up and down and have a dance about it.

The recruiting was a completely whirlwind affair with trips up and down to London. But I have to say it has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. I have made best friends for life. We talk basically every day, about work, sewing, knitting, family, and of course our nerves about the show airing.

I can't wait to sit down with a cup of tea and watch my friends sew and chat, and panic. It's going to be a blast! I hope you'll join me in a blow by blow on twitter, at #GBSB, I'm @DFabricate,

I'll try and post some periodical blogs about what's happened in that weeks episode, but I will also be spending a lot of time jumping up and down whilst trying to work my full time job. Please bear with me.

For any of you who don't yet know, there will be  a catch up episode for the Class of 2014 on Wednesday, 8pm, BBC2. I for one can't wait to see what everyone in the last series has been up to.

Series 3 will begin on Thursday 5th February, 8pm BBC2. See you then!! *Aaaaarrrrggghhhh*

January Blues

I always assume that January will be a quiet month, one where no one will want to go out because no one has any money. I'm always wrong, ha ha. I've been out for dinner, am planning a trip down to London mid-month, three leavings dos, and I couldn't make it to a murder mystery evening due to the number of invitations bandying about! So naturally I have been grumbling about my fabulous social life instead of just getting on with it. Sometimes I pine for the days where my one social outing a week was the craft club in Edinburgh, and then I remember that no social life is no fun at all and I get on with it. How has everyone else's week been? Do you moan about having 'too much' to do?

I've been wearing my comfiest clothes in this super cold weather, trying to stay warm and not moving much from the brand new sofa where I can. This outfit is a comfy weekend/ evening favourite, another 2014 make, I'm catching up promise! The top is based on the Coco pattern. You may remember I attempted a dress from this, and though the comfiest dress ever, I didn't feel pulled together enough for day to day wear. However, I did see potential in the pattern.

I wanted a pattern to match my favourite jumper (the black and white one in this post), so laid the coco pattern over the jumper, with a roll of pattern paper underneath. I then matched up the under arm seam, and neckline. Areas where my RTW jumper extended past the pattern, I drew onto the paper underneath. 

I then took the jumper away and matched up the Coco pattern with the new lines. I followed the Coco pattern instructions to complete, and got the following jumper! 

The material is a mystery knit from a basket at Abakhan, with a lovely stripe of gold for a bit of glam. I've still got loads left, maybe I'll attempt a cardigan too? The skirt is an unblogged New Look 6128, very straightforward, navy cord skirt, nae fuss. this is a workhorse outfit. I've been trying to work at filling gaps in my wardrobe, and this certainly ticks all the boxes on that. 

Back to Work... Back to Reality

Guys! Whose sad to be back at work? For some reason the holidays felt like they lasted for so long, so it was especially difficult to push myself off the sofa and back into the big world. Though in actuality the return wasn't half as hard as I thought it would be, shiny new job carried me through. Here's me looking swish in my working clothes, 'cause I'm a workin' ladayyy, though to be fair most days I have a very thick jumper on these days because the office is freezing.

I managed to put most of my clothes away over the Christmas break, this was my main goal, as well as ya know, eating my own body weight in cheese etc. Is that bad? The wardrobe was basically empty and every surface was covered in clothes. Sometimes I'm lazy, what can you do? Well, I suppose I could be less lazy but that's not happening any time soon so goals over the holidays will usually include getting back on track with the tidying.

This skirt is an A-line self drafted black jacquard work/ going out skirt. This is another attempt to de-orphan some of the clothes in my wardrobe, and have something a little smarter to wear in the office.

I have yet to perfect the high waist skirt waistband however, and this one again came out a little big. every skirt will get better and better though so by 2018 I'm sure I'll have a skirt that fits right off the bat. We also emptied our downstairs cupboard of all the charity/ tip stuff we've had in there for over a year (can you believe that?!). It's just so hard to get rid of stuff when you don't have a car. Which reminds me, I will definitely learn to drive this year, third time is the charm! Has to be, can't be doing with this goal not having been achieved yet after all this time. Ridiculous!

... And we bought a sofa! See? We weren't lazy at all, naysayers the lot of you. I'm so excited about sofa, it's the first time we've bought ourselves such a large piece of furniture, and the first time we've owned our own sofa having struggled with second handers, hand me downs, and 'furnished' house monstrosities since we both left home for uni. I'm excited about having a seat that doesn't slope, or hurt my back/ posterior. Good luck with the end of your week, if you're anything like me you're probably lagging a bit by this point. You can do it guys, so close to the weekend.

Hits and Misses 2014

Happy New Year guys! I hope your New Years was fantastic, and your holidays as Christmassy as you should wish. I was very lucky again this year and was thoroughly spoilt as usual. Plus there was karaoke-ing with my family (quickly becoming tradition), loads of food... plus I bought my own christmas food shop so we could indulge once we got back home, all in all it's been a really lovely time, and just the break I needed. Though I have had a cold for a while which is a bummer, hopefully it will get lost soon so I can get back to normal brain.

2014 was a fantastic year, first year of marriage, new job, friends, book clubs, party times, I have a lot to be thankful for. It was a great year for sewing too! I made 14 items in all, not counting some items yet to be blogged, I guess I'll add those to next years review. Here are my top 5!

Number one of course is my shiny new purple raincoat, I mean, I did make it completely out of season, but I'm so proud of it, and that means it will be ready to go for spring which is when I'll want it, instead of starting in Spring and not having it ready in time for the season. 

Most of these outfits appear to have a similar silhouette, capped sleeve, in at the waist, one with a straight skirt, but the rest with a more a-line/ floaty shape. I don't want to change this in the new year really, I want to continue to make things that will reclaim the orphans in my wardrobe, and keep making things in exciting fabrics. One thing I haven't done more of is embroidery on clothes, but I haven't done that many plain items so there wasn't much opportunity for it. 

I could only think of two misses really, most of my makes have done really well this year, fitting well into my wardrobe. Planning has played a big role in my makes this year, I'll save that for another post though. Here are the misses:

I loved this Spotty Anna, I always felt great in it, but the fabric was cheap, and it didn't last long. It is now basically grey, and is destined for the charity pile. 

I made the trousers more for the challenge of a zip fly than anything else, so I can't be surprised really that I haven't worn them much this year. I'm still very proud of them of course, and they will stay in the cupboard with pride. 

2015 is going to be an amazing year, I can't wait, and I'll keep making adventurous cake to keep me going through the year. How was your year? Any resolutions for 2015?