The Great British Sewing Bee: The Skills: Beyond Basics: Advanced Tips and Tricks to Take Your Sewing Technique to the Next Level

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I adored Lauren's choice for the made to measure challenge, a strappy dress with faux button down blouse underneath. Simplicity 9559 would create a similar look with the added advantage of the most adorable ruffle effect straps, the ability to create a matching headband, options for a tunic and trousers and matching bags! A lot of mileage in this pattern! Simplicity 9559 Tony made some wide leg trousers and a crop top, which is a super popular look right now. You could recreate something similar with McCalls 7757, which has all the summer vibes. McCalls 7757 trouser and crop top coord set Children's week: Sewing Bee series 8 episode 5. It's cuteness overload in children's week when the Sewing Bees sewed up sailor suits, spooky costumes and refashioned school uniforms. We'll be updating you every week so do stay tuned - we will share the weekly Sewing Bee scoop with you in our newsletter. The Pattern Challenge: A Sailor Suit The competition is really hotting up now and I always think this is the point where we start to see some really accomplished sewing amongst the Sewing Bees. We saw 80s jumpsuits, cropped jumpsuits, asymmetric jumpsuits to name but a few. You can find all our jumpsuit patterns here.

The Sewing Bees were invited to choose a random selection of items gathered from charity shops and junk yards and turn them into a futuristic piece of couture in 90 minutes. Yep it was all kinds of crazy! The Made to Measure Challenge: a Flapper DressOne of the important things to get right is the interfacing and tapes you use to help you create the shape and structure required. Here's a blog post on which interfacing and tapes you should use for all dressmaking projects including tailoring: The Bees were given a pair of trousers a Tshirt and up to three tartan garments to transform into something spectacular. Did anyone else notice it was a bit of a giveaway who was going to win this task when the sexy music started?! Was it just me or did they save the sensual tunes until the winning garments sauntered their way down the makeshift catwalk?! The Janome 725S Sewing Bee Sewing Machine The children were fantastic as always and it was lovely to see the contestants working with them so beautifully. My heart completely melted when Alexei was caught on camera thanking his model for being a pleasure to work with.

I was unfamiliar with the term Victoriana dress, but as soon as we saw the pattern we recognised the style, which has been hugely popular in recent years. Vogue 1874 is all about the folds and pleats! We love the way the intensive pleating at the waist creates shaping round the bust. Vogue 1874 Top Pattern Everyone tries their best to make a school uniform look cool, but the Sewing Bees were able to break all the rules in the transformation challenge without any fear of detention. Is it really possible to turn school to cool? Made To Measure Challenge: a Halloween Costume Don't forget to sign up to our weekly newsletter to receive a dose of sewing inspiration to your inbox every week while we wait for series 11. The Bees had to sew not one, but two dresses for the made to measure challenge inspired by recent appearances from Blake Lively and Lady Gaga at the Met Gala who transformed their gowns half way through the night.

Series 5 Episode 2

If you prefer ultimate casual comfort when it comes to pyjamas this Simplicity 8801 pattern has some great options and is designed to be sewn up in soft stretch knit fabrics. Simplicity 8801 Knit Jumpsuit and Romper Sewing Pattern Well this one was wide open for the Bees, I mean you could literally make anything when it comes to the style icon that is David Bowie. Was there anything he didn't wear?!

The made to measure challenge took us from masculine flared jeans and edgy punk outfits to glamourous and feminine maxi dresses. AKA my dream garment. Utilitarian week on the Sewing Bee gave the contestants some tough challenges to face making garments most sewers would set several weeks aside to make in just a few hours. The Pattern Challenge: The Trench Coat The Bees were tasked with sewing a flamenco inspired skirt for their models, which should hug at the hips and cascade into dramatic rows of ruffles. Sewing Bee Patterns We think it would look perfect sewn up in our royal blue swallow print cotton poplin fabric. Royal Blue Swallow Print Cotton Poplin Fabric Simplicity 9484 Romper Sewing Pattern Sewing Bee Techniques Another week has gone by already - how did that happen?! We can't wait to see what the Bees rustle up next week, the standard is just so high and some of the garments being produced have our pulses racing and our feet running for the sewing machine!Frida Kahlo was a Mexican artist known for her beautiful paintings and was also renowned for her personal style. If you fancy making evening wear with a lace theme our John Kaldor Tocca lace is a must see. It comes in a beautiful range of colours and has a stunning intricate design finished with scalloped edges perfect for using at the hem. You can find the full range here. Task Three: Made to Measure Strapless Evening Gowns

What a great challenge for the Bees to get their teeth into and I loved some of the designs produced. There were a few mishaps as always, but in some instances these even turned into a happy accident. Sewing Bee Patterns and Fabrics Always use a walking foot with your machine so the fabric feeds through evenly. You can find our range of walking feet here and an explanation of how and when to use one here. These dresses have been hugely popular on the High Street and in sewing circles for the last few years meaning there are plenty of suitable patterns for you to choose from. Sewing Bee Patterns and Fabrics All in all another fabulous episode of our favourite show and we can't wait to see what is in store next week - at this rate we'll have haute couture designers by the end of the series.

 Series 5 Episode 8

This week the Sewing Bees will face the challenge of reusing and recycling soft furnishings and charity shop clothes into a whole new look requiring not only excellent sewing skills, but also exceptional levels of creative thinking. The Pattern Challenge: A Man's Waistcoat Claire sewed up a beautiful satin gown for her work colleague, you can find our satin fabrics here and here. If you just can't get in the spooky mood I've included a few other children's fancy dress patterns for some fun sewing inspiration. How on earth is it Sewing Bee final week already?! My nine year old Son is already desperately trying to find a new excuse to stay up late on a Wednesday! Will the contestants blow us away? Just how tough will the challenges be? Let's find out. The Pattern Challenge: a Child's Traditional Kilt Time for more glitz and glamour on the Sewing Bee this week with the theme 'music and the movies'. As the five remaining contestants really come into their own and step up those sewing skills I couldn't wait to see what delights they created. The Pattern Challenge: Baby's Dirty Dancing Dress